Image of Betawi<\/p>\n
I'd like to respond to what Mr. Zainal Abidin cited about
\nBetawi -- in your article entitled Ms and Mr Jakarta, a stepping
\nstone to popularity -- as a bunch of backward people who could only
\nafford to live in the city's outskirts (The Jakarta Post, July
\n16, 1994).<\/p>\n
As one who has lived and stayed with them and tried to
\nunderstand their stance and culture, I fail to understand Mr.
\nZainal Abidin's concern for the lack of Betawi people entering
\nthe contest. I thought his hopes were for more people to enter
\nthe contest in that it could help enhance the social values of
\nBetawi people, improve their prospects, and automatically,
\naccording to Mr. Zainal Abidin, boost the image of the Betawi.<\/p>\n
For all I know, and I'm sure Mr. Zainal Abidin thinks as much,
\nBetawi culture is a religious society with a religious culture
\nwhich tries to survive without losing their identity as a
\nreligious people.<\/p>\n
Frankly, it's so astonishing that such a statement was made by
\nthe chairman of the Betawi Art Institute, giving the impression
\nto young people that if they want to succeed, the way they must
\ndo so is by entering such a contest. How could you come to a
\nconclusion like that? How could the pageant's success boost the
\nimage of Betawi? How could one of our girls, if elected as a Ms
\nUniverse entrant, give the image of us as a nation who respect
\nwomen but treat them like a commodity?<\/p>\n
MUTTAQIN HASSAN<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/image-of-betawi-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }