Breaking the ethnic divide<\/p>\n
This is in response to the letter 'Minority and majority stock'
\nby Zahar Indra, in The Jakarta Post on July 8, 1998.<\/p>\n
As a student of Trisakti University, I regret to say that
\nthere are still people like you, Zahar Indra, who take issue with
\nindigenous and nonindigenous matters. I hail from Surabaya and
\nstudy in Jakarta. Undeniably, if you are in East Java, in
\nSurabaya to be precise, you will find a big gap between the
\nindigenous and the nonindigenous people. The root problem is that
\nin the eyes of the indigenous people, ethnic Chinese are strange,
\nselfish and the like so that they should be avoided. Obviously
\nsuch an opinion must have its origin in the earlier generation of
\nthese indigenous people.<\/p>\n
Residing in Jakarta, I find that the gap between the
\nindigenous and the nonindigenous people is narrowing because,
\nperhaps, I have educated indigenous friends with whom I can have
\na common understanding and also because we realize that we are
\nsocial beings, essentially always depending on and helping one
\nanother in our lives.<\/p>\n
In your letter, you raise problems about the participation of
\nethnic Chinese in regional dance performances. I can prove to you
\nthat there are ethnic Chinese who can perform the Legong dance. A
\nfriend of mine in Bali, who is of Chinese descent, can perform
\nthis dance.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in the fight for Indonesia's independence, an uncle
\nof mine took part in the struggle, which is evident from the
\nmedals of merit conferred on him for the battles he took part in.
\nIsn't this suffice to prove the contribution that ethnic Chinese
\nhave made to this nation?<\/p>\n
If you want to be honest with yourself, please go to a
\ngovernment school in Surabaya and I bet you will find no students
\nof Chinese origin there. If someone of Chinese descent happens to
\npass the school, the students will shout \"Chinese... Chinese...
\nChinese...\" The percentage that a government school will accept
\nstudents of Chinese origin is very low. It is an open secret that
\nonly a limited number of high school graduates of Chinese origin
\ncan be accepted in a state university. It is only natural, then,
\nif things like these will continue to widen the gaps.<\/p>\n
I do not deny that some ethnic Chinese have resorted to
\narbitrary acts and the like. However, in this era of reform,
\npeople like this must be brought to courts of law and subjected
\nto a proper trial.<\/p>\n
All in all, let me call on everyone to stay away from matters
\nrelated to ethnicity, religion, racial origin and social groups
\n(SARA) to ensure that this nation will become stronger and our
\nunity solid.<\/p>\n
LESLIE SOKA<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/breaking-the-ethnic-divide-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }