The Candles of Liberty

I blow out the candles on my seventeenth birthday cake. Another year has passed. The flames slowly flicker, burn out, and die.To me, a candle is merely a wax stick that steadily holds the flames. It’s only regularly used for birthdays and as a last resort for light.

Seven thousand miles away, my cousins and grandparents, along with hundreds of thousands of other Koreans, hold similar candles in protest against a corrupt president. They chant for President Park Geun-Hye’s resignation as their country has repeatedly been let down by her abuse of power. “A puppet controlled by a puppet-master,” they say; this president is too dangerous and irresponsible to rule a country. The protesters peacefully and proudly hold the candles as they demonstrate, hoping that they can succeed through strength in numbers. A sea of light moves like one body, flooding the streets with hope.

Rather than using them trivially, such as birthday celebrations, these simple objects hold the liberty of an entire nation. Candles control the dangerous weapon of fire, but with the flame too big, it can cause destruction. The Koreans contain their fiery passion through solemn protest rather than riot as the graceful nature of the flames continues to dance along the tip of the wick.

They blow out their candles, exemplifying the darkness Ms. Park has led their country into. Another day has passed... Now the flames slowly flicker and burn out—but what will happen if the hundred thousand candles die?