Well, I am definitely happy to know that race will slowly play less of a role in determining government allocation of funds. Like any other developed country, I support fully the need to help the poor regardless of their race. This is in fact a much healthy scene for Malaysian's political, business and social landscape for it will help to further reduce the income gap between the rich and the poor.
So, Bangsa Malaysia seems to be a good idea. But is it easy to just disregard race?
From my observation, it's not easy.
Just look at the popular independent news site, malaysia-today.net. Even the many people who are championing about having "Bangsa Malaysia" as our new label to all Malaysians are still using terms like Malays, Chinese and Indians in their blogs and comments. But does this mean that these people are racists? No, not necessarily.
See, there's a huge difference between race and racism. Having race that differentiates us in culture, religion, and ways of life is totally fine. There's nothing wrong to acknowledge that someone is from another race. Anyways, if race really doesn't matter to us, why are we still calling people from Asia as Asian and Westeners as Whites/Europeans? And if race really doesn't matter, I'm sure today we are calling ourselves as "earthans", or anything close to it. So, this is race, and acknowledging that we're of different races should not be a problem.
But racism?
Racism is no way close to just acknowledging race. Racism is when one race feels that they are superior than another. Racism is when one race thinks that the others should bow down to them. Racism is only for sick-minded people like the KKK's. So, racism is a No-No - definitely.
In Malaysia's case, I think there is no need for us to try to come up with one race name like "Bangsa Malaysia" or "Bangsa Melachindian" (well, I don't know if that name even sounds good) to replace our already established Malay, Chinese and Indian.
Yes, there's no need to do so. Why?
Because it's just not realistic and it is impractical to do so. Just look at America. After so many years, they're still calling themselves African-American and (Caucasian)-American. But this in no way makes them racist. Like I said earlier, one becomes a racist only when he/she thinks that his/her race is superior than another.
In Malaysia, we should not allow racism to plague the country. No one race is superior in Malaysia. Even when the Chinese are good at doing business, they can never claim that they're a superior race compared to the Malays or Indians. If the Indians are better in being dermatologists, so be it. Just because the Chinese and Indians come later, doesn't make the Malays any better than the other races. We're all equal. Everyone in the country should treat others equally fair and just.
If there should be any discrimination made, that will only be the rich, and the already-established companies (by taxing them more). Poor ones, and smaller start-up companies, regardless of the race of the individuals involved, should be helped.
Seeing ourselves united as purely Malaysians is definitely the best way to go. But as far as eliminating race labels is concerned, I think it is not practical. My 2 cents is this - we won't be able to just throw away the Indian, Chinese and Malay labels because it is evident that we have been created with different features.
And that, too, is why God has created us with different races - for us to get to know, trade, work, and tolerate one another. If we're all created with the same features and attitudes, how boring do you think this world would be?
3 comments:
Racial politics won't go away that easily. The fact is, people are invariably racist. When someone said "I have this Chinese friend, Indian colleague, bla bla bla.." doesn't that show that he is racist?
Especially in Malaysia. The easiest way to identify it is by labels. I read a survey in a Malaysian newspaper last year where they interviewed 1000 Malaysians. (apologies for no link) The survey revealed that Malays are labeled as "pemalas", the Chinese are labeled as "penipu" (in business) and the Indians..I don't remember. But you see how Malaysian label Malaysians. It's not like there are no lazy Chinese, or penipu Malay, or whatever labels they give Indians.
The point of the matter is people are afraid. Afraid of other races. The current golden generation like my grandfather especially. And it is hard for them to change. Even for our generation, it is really hard. Why? Because we usually are separated in boarding schools and universities because of the quotas and what not. See UiTM for reference.
Personally, I think we need to start with the new generation. The only way to go is abolishing Indian and Chinese schools. Every kid should mingle with other races, period. Then they can see the beauty in diversity..
p/s sorry I kinda hijacked your post :P
hello.sorry 4 just barging in here, but this post rily called out to me.and i cant help but to comment =p cos not many ppl think like u do. i too think that theres a difference btwn race and racism.
i dont think we'll ever be able to eliminate the race factor. it is very very impractical n unrealistic. but i think downplaying racism is achievable. maybe not in the near future. maybe not evryone in malaysia can be free from racial issues, but i believe we can work at making it less of an issue than it is now.
and i dont think that when someone says 'i have this chinese friend, indian colleague..blablabla..' it shows that he is a racist. sometimes it could just be a means of describing someone. just like when u say'that girl or boy'. is that sexist? i dont think so.i think its perfectly okay. just as long as we accept our differences. =)
To me, it doesn't really matter what we say.. We can say the same thing twice and yet have different meanings every time we say it...
The intention is key. If there is a feeling of we-are-superior-than-them in any way, it doesn't matter what we say or how we say it - it'll still become a racist remark...
Cheers..
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