Are you racist? Am I racist? Not too sure about that. If you have an outstanding discrimination towards unique racial qualities other than yours, then you are. If you understand and accept the racial differences created by the cultural and language differences, then you might not be.
While the country is fiercely promoting anti-racism, they are also at the same time reminding our differences. Face it, there will never truly be a day when we can overlook the skin color because our current government coalition is racial-based and special privileges are bestowed upon a special kind. This has been running over half a century, since Malaya has got its independence. Not blaming our governors for it, since every race is given the chance to learn their own mother tongue, which is not an option in many other Asian third world countries.
We shouldn't strive to eliminate all differences. We should strive towards understanding and mutual respect.
Sure there are unique and outstanding qualities only possessed by certain races, molded for decades by cultural influences and teachings. This we cannot deny and we shouldn't shun away from, because they will not disappear. We shouldn't overlook, instead we should see their weaknesses and strengths, just like how we see our very friends.
Boldly speaking, I'm gonna assume and presume some of the qualities the three major races possess:
Malay: Strengths - Sociable, Forgiving, Optimistic ; Weakness - Laid back
Chinese: Strengths - Hardworking ; Weakness - Selfish
Indian: Strengths - Outspoken, Courageous ; Weakness - Impulsive
Certainly these qualities do not represent all but if you study in further depth, you realize that these qualities are molded by the government, cultural influences and the circumstances they are in.
Firstly, the Malays are protected by the government so it is ok to be laid back, and so they are very optimistic. Secondly, the Chinese are like cockroaches all around the world - the more you want them dead, the richer they get. They slog but they are not people who share. Lastly, the Indians originated from a land where it is too crowded and you need a voice to stand out. The Indian language (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu - as far as I know) comparing to other common languages are long and intonatious, the only way you could emphasize on phrase is to raise your voice. This tops it up with the influence from Bollywood and Tollywood scene which are incredibly dramatic, India produces films which are optimistic with an impossible twist, giving hope to the large population in poverty. Both these factors have contributed to their way of expression, and thus translating to everything they do - and from there, influencing our people here too.
Correct me if I'm wrong yet I'm sure there are some truths to it.
My point is, there are definitely racial differences, just like how you choose your social circle. The difference you might want to start making in your life is to help influence the next few generations overlook skin color and racial differences. Accept and understand them individually instead of categorizing them into one big black hole and assume they are as horrible as they sound like -- just like how I accept some of my friends who are crazy impulsive and arrogant!
I hope you get my point here and for a better Malaysia, and for our kids to live in a world striving to be perfect, we should urge our closests to do the same.
Or.... maybe the only way to get every race coming together, is to have a common enemy -- THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. Just look at this again:
While the country is fiercely promoting anti-racism, they are also at the same time reminding our differences. Face it, there will never truly be a day when we can overlook the skin color because our current government coalition is racial-based and special privileges are bestowed upon a special kind. This has been running over half a century, since Malaya has got its independence. Not blaming our governors for it, since every race is given the chance to learn their own mother tongue, which is not an option in many other Asian third world countries.
We shouldn't strive to eliminate all differences. We should strive towards understanding and mutual respect.
Sure there are unique and outstanding qualities only possessed by certain races, molded for decades by cultural influences and teachings. This we cannot deny and we shouldn't shun away from, because they will not disappear. We shouldn't overlook, instead we should see their weaknesses and strengths, just like how we see our very friends.
Boldly speaking, I'm gonna assume and presume some of the qualities the three major races possess:
Malay: Strengths - Sociable, Forgiving, Optimistic ; Weakness - Laid back
Chinese: Strengths - Hardworking ; Weakness - Selfish
Indian: Strengths - Outspoken, Courageous ; Weakness - Impulsive
Certainly these qualities do not represent all but if you study in further depth, you realize that these qualities are molded by the government, cultural influences and the circumstances they are in.
Firstly, the Malays are protected by the government so it is ok to be laid back, and so they are very optimistic. Secondly, the Chinese are like cockroaches all around the world - the more you want them dead, the richer they get. They slog but they are not people who share. Lastly, the Indians originated from a land where it is too crowded and you need a voice to stand out. The Indian language (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu - as far as I know) comparing to other common languages are long and intonatious, the only way you could emphasize on phrase is to raise your voice. This tops it up with the influence from Bollywood and Tollywood scene which are incredibly dramatic, India produces films which are optimistic with an impossible twist, giving hope to the large population in poverty. Both these factors have contributed to their way of expression, and thus translating to everything they do - and from there, influencing our people here too.
Correct me if I'm wrong yet I'm sure there are some truths to it.
My point is, there are definitely racial differences, just like how you choose your social circle. The difference you might want to start making in your life is to help influence the next few generations overlook skin color and racial differences. Accept and understand them individually instead of categorizing them into one big black hole and assume they are as horrible as they sound like -- just like how I accept some of my friends who are crazy impulsive and arrogant!
I hope you get my point here and for a better Malaysia, and for our kids to live in a world striving to be perfect, we should urge our closests to do the same.
Or.... maybe the only way to get every race coming together, is to have a common enemy -- THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. Just look at this again:
 |
| 200,000 Malaysians came together at Kelana Jaya Stadium proclaiming a dark Malaysia post election, standing against the current government (Barisan Nasional). |
We are not so different after all.
0 comments:
Post a Comment