Throughout our history, many have lost their lives for freedom and justice. During the anti-communist purge of 1965 to 1966, hundreds of thousands of people, many activists or innocent civilians falsely accused of dissent, were killed. In 1997 to 1998, leading up to Suharto's resignation, activists were abducted or disappeared. Prominent human rights defender Munir Said Thalib was poisoned in 2004 for exposing injustice. These events show that the fight for justice has always carried immense personal risk. More recently, a young life was stolen before it could fully begin. On August 28, 2025, Affan Kurniawan, a motorcycle delivery driver, was killed by a police vehicle during anti-austerity protests near Jakarta's parliament. His family lost a son, brother, nephew, and grandchild, only to be told they would be compensated by the same people responsible for his death. Affan is one among many who have lost their lives for speaking out, often without recognition. His story reminds us that these injustices happen not only in Jakarta or major cities, but across Indonesia, particularly in smaller communities whose struggles rarely make headlines. I want to help create a future where no one has to feel the shame and loneliness I have felt. Enough is enough. I want to apologize for the shame I have carried, but more than that, I want to do something different. Even if my voice reaches only one person who feels the same, they will know they are not alone. I know it is scary, and I know how dangerous it can be to raise our voices. But even with fear and backlash, a stronger army will rise. We will rise for those who cannot, for those whose voices have been silenced, and for the future we all deserve. Indonesia is a beautiful country filled with beautiful people and souls. It deserves better. Our younger siblings and future generations deserve better. We deserve better.
