Indonesian and Western cultures<\/p>\n
I would like to comment on the letter from Robert Walker You
\nmust have a concept of guilt (Oct. 22). His extremely offensive
\nand presumptuous letter on \"guilt\" and \"selfishness\" made my hair
\nstand on end (and that is quite an achievement as I am bald).<\/p>\n
Every Indonesian I have met has a deeply ingrained sense of
\nright and wrong, but their interpretation of that in their way of
\nlife is not the same as the average Westerner. So what? This is a
\ndifferent culture, and if one is privileged to live in it, then
\none should accept it -- or leave. It is not the expatriate's job
\nto convert others to a Western way of life; and, if they do, just
\nthink what the West has to offer.<\/p>\n
I am 67-years-old and until last year had always lived in
\nEngland. For the last five years I did not dare go out at night
\nbecause it was too dangerous, for as an old person, I was a prime
\ntarget for thieves and robbers. (Having been beaten and robbed
\ntwice, I speak from experience.) My home was burglarized three
\ntimes in six months. Working in schools, hospitals or churches is
\na very dangerous occupation -- teachers, doctors, nurses and
\npriests are frequently assaulted.<\/p>\n
In the West, we have beggars lining our city streets.
\nVandalism, graffiti and violent crime is rife. Drugs of all kinds
\nare readily available in any town or village. As for corruption,
\nit may not be as open as in Southeast Asia, but just try and find
\na poor politician -- national or local.<\/p>\n
I would agree that our driving standards are higher than those
\nin Indonesia, but when it comes to pollution that is a very
\ndifferent story. CS gases, disposal of nuclear waste and massive
\ndump sites for waste all around our larger cities are certainly
\nnothing to be proud of.<\/p>\n
If anyone challenges this assessment, they only have to read
\nany daily newspaper from England for the national problems and
\nany local city paper for the multitudinous crime stories.<\/p>\n
When it comes to bleating, I think Mr. Walker has a lot to
\nlearn. Maybe Indonesia can learn some things from the West -- in
\nits own time. However, I am quite certain that the West could
\nlearn much it has forgotten from Indonesia, not least of which is
\nfamily values and respect for the individual.<\/p>\n
BILL STARR<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesian-and-western-cultures-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }