In conjunction with the upcoming National Day, I was compelled to write an article (or a few perhaps, if I am into it) about the things we love (or hate) in Malaysia.
I was drafting my article on race and racism when I was sent this link by my good friend
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/opinion/zaidel-baharudin/34943-so-okay-im-racist-just-a-bit-i-mean-like-really-tiny-
An interesting article; if I may say so which talks about racism in such a light-hearted and carefree style and I enjoyed reading the article very much – kudos to the talented author.
I am even starting to bookmark his blog for further reading, no joke.
Anyway, I have decided to jot a few lines about my thoughts on the author’s thoughts towards the end of my article as well as there were also slight similarities in the topic and our thoughts (hope it is not plagiarism)
Speaking of the races, it is the beauty of Malaysia as one of the only countries (or perhaps the ONLY country) in the world which can boast of the many different races staying together in harmony and unity on the same land (or are we really that harmonious and united?)
I was born and raised in Malaysia; and received my education in my homeland all the way as well.
Of course, being in the same place all my life does make me wonder about life elsewhere and fantasize about being in another country which has ranches, four seasons where we can parade in thick fur coats and stylish boots and also enjoy the carefree and fun loving life painted in my mind.
That is beside the point; as scrapping that fantasy aside, I am still very much a Malaysian just like any one of you out there and I do appreciate the tropical beauties found within my country.
After all, what is there not to like about my country?
We have a great weather (where else can you get summer all year round?), bountiful supplies of crops and natural resources, a colorful array of costumes, dances, languages, and cuisines.
This is definitely something which cannot be found elsewhere; a harmonious fusion of the cultures stemming from the multi-racial/cultural society we live in here in Malaysia.
When it comes to the different races, inevitably we are also part of the society which handles this subject with care, treading on the right ground to maintain the harmony within the country.
Furthermore, Malaysia is home to not just one or two but more than five races; Malay, Chinese, Indian, Eurasian, Kadazan, Iban, Melanau, Bidayuh, just to name a few.
Yet, the amazing part is how we are living on the same land and peacefully; proclaiming ourselves as Malaysians.
In such a multi-racial country, is there truly no issue of racism or discrimination at all, you may ask.
Well, this is rather a tough question; but rest assured we are not having any civil war or any major issues which can bring the country to war.
Racism is a connotation used to describe the sentiments and emotions welled up due to the differences and conflicts among the races.
There is hatred and sometimes so much anger where they would harm and go to extent of offending other races.
Racism, to me is as described above. In a way, we start to differentiate each other from the races/cultures we have and finding fault with others who are not like us.
In fact, the biggest difference lies in the skin tone/color and also the lifestyles.
Some of us are born fair-skinned, medium, or dark-skinned with a range of tan brown, yellowish tan, dark brown, white, or black.
I personally dislike it when the differentiation starts from here; where we start to judge people based on their skin color.
That to me, is how I define racism in which I think is to a higher degree.
Racism is practiced everywhere; and remains an unresolved issue.
I do not want to mention the names of countries in particular; as I think everyone is at fault and the issue exists everywhere, whether we like to admit it or not.
Referring to the article above, I do agree that to a certain extent, there is also stereotyping which started from the skin color issue.
We tend to associate the races based on their skin color; and then further stereotyping them to our own jurisdiction and that, itself makes all of us racists in one way or another.
I do protest against racism; but even I cannot be a hypocrite by saying that I totally am non-racist; not even a tiny weeny bit.
So there, I did not deny anything.
Let’s face it, we all do that mentally in our minds sometimes. We do stereotype to a certain extent; no matter what race you are.
Take our country for example; as mentioned in the reference article
When we go to government offices, we often associate that it will take a long time because those people are lazy and take their own sweet time in working.
When we go to a shop/restaurant to buy something, if we see a Chinese, he will always say, “I am giving you the best price already lar; I don’t earn anything”
You will be thinking in your mind, “Yeah right, these Cina Apeks…extorting my money so that he can buy a big house and car!”
When we go to condominiums or office buildings and don’t see a security guard, you will be thinking, “Where is the Indian guard? Slacking on the job again”
These are all little scenarios which run through our minds subconsciously; and you may not speak it out for fear of being reprimanded for your thoughts, but does that makes us any less racist?
Have you not thought or even curse when you see crime rates increasing in the country, and you associate them to the foreign labor?
Or how you crinkle your eyebrows when you hear that there will be foreign immigrants moving next to your house?
We all do that; consciously or subconsciously.
Why?
It’s because we are just normal human beings with an ego to satisfy. It makes us feel like we are superior to others when we have thoughts like these running through our minds.
Psychologically speaking, most of the time, the human minds do play images of worse things than them to feel better and then find a better image to inspire/motivate themselves.
So, don’t feel too guilty about it; but if you are going to the extent where you want to wipe out a certain race through killing and staging major protests, then that may be a problem already.
After all, who is not a racist in any society?
Even governments and the authorities are practicing it.
When filling up a form; you see the checkboxes for you to select your race.
You pay different prices if you are the national of the country; and slightly more if you are not.
All the races have their differences; which make them all the more unique and different from others. Apart from stereotyping each other in the bad way, we should also focus on the good stereotypes which Malaysians have learnt and adapted to our lifestyles.
For instance, the Malays serve the best nasi lemak and they are the most friendly and helpful neighbors to have. They are carefree and spend lots of time on their homes; and they are never hesitant to invite people to their homes and enjoy making kueh for their guests.
Don’t you just love that hospitality and admit it, you love the spread of food even more!
They make the best tour guides, hotel owners, customer service, restaurant owners, homemakers (as in the business itself), managers (definitely nice to employees), etc.
Chinese has the widest variety in their cooking styles; ranging from frying, steaming, pan-frying, grilling, deep-frying, boiling, baking, etc. It is endless to the ways they can prepare a particular food. They focus on commercialism and on generating revenue; and yet, they save their money and teach you a thing or two about banks. They make the best bankers, brokers, insurance agents, real estate agents, accountants, salesmen, investors, chefs, engineers, etc.
Indians serve the best curries; and you usually look for them for good coconut water as well.
They are often the most religious and holy to their worships and they are always devoted to their faith. They also make the best English teachers, doctors, lecturers, lawyers, consultants, etc.
So, see, the differences are in fact the ones which have molded the identities; and blending them together, don’t you think it just makes a harmonious picture?
Malaysians have definitely achieved this; and we do love peace and harmony in our country; and we are happy with the way we are.
Racial issues stipulation are often frowned upon and scorned by most of us because it will stir and create the disharmony in the existing life we are living now; one which we are all happy with.
After all, where else can we find a country where the citizens can speak a minimum of two languages and also mix and blend more than two languages in one sentence when communicating and still understand each other so well?
As the King of Pop said himself, it doesn’t matter if you’re black or white….
We are all Malaysians; one nation and we are proud of it…
So, thamby and tangechi, jom, let’s go makan and pi yumcha….Mai Chui Su-lar….diam-diam, semua happy!:)
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