JP\/9\/BOOK<\/p>\n
---------------------------------
\nMinorities, Modernity and the emerging nation
\nChristians in Indonesia, A Biographical Approach
\nGerry Van Klinken
\nKITLV Press 2003
\n285 pp<\/p>\n
-------------------<\/p>\n
One of the unfortunate realities of history is that, as an
\ninfamous 1940s German leader said, \"History is written by the
\nvictors\". In many situations where one group is the majority,
\nthey often overlook the important contributions of other members
\nof society.<\/p>\n
Such is the nature of man, perhaps, so it is always
\ninteresting to read about the history of minorities. And such is
\nthe case in Indonesia with regard to the contribution by urban
\nmiddle class Christians to the nation's independence.<\/p>\n
It is well documented that the Dutch colonists were
\nparticularly neglectful of the indigenous population of the Dutch
\nEast Indies for centuries. However, in the early 1900s, with
\nLiberalism all the rage in Europe, there was pressure on the
\ngovernor-generals in then Batavia to educate and employ the local
\npopulation.<\/p>\n
The administration addressed the situation in a limited way.
\nMany of the beneficiaries of the new policy were \"those that we
\ncan work with\" -- in that case the Christian population who were
\nconsidered more loyal to the administration.<\/p>\n
A few decades later with Liberalism evolving into talk of
\nindependence, led by indigenous, Dutch-educated Christians using
\ntheir limited -- but still much greater than almost every other
\nIndonesian -- influence within the church and government. They
\nbegan moving toward empowering more of the local population --
\nall ethnic groups and religions -- out of a sense of true
\nnationalism.<\/p>\n
Van Klinken chose to focus this historical work on five key
\nChristian figures -- Amir Sjarifoeddin, Bishop Soegijapranata,
\nKasimo, Moelia and Ratu Langie -- to illustrate in an extremely
\nexhaustive, academic manner, that without people such as these,
\nIndonesian independence may not have occurred until many more
\ndecades had passed.<\/p>\n
Despite that fact, they are, with the exception of Ratu Langie
\n(more frequently spelled Ratulangi), given short shrift among the
\nyounger generation today. It's sad that the accomplishments of
\nsome of these true Indonesian patriots have largely been
\nforgotten, not only for their instrumental roles as conduits
\nbetween the power base in Jakarta and the traditional masses, but
\ntheir roles as catalysts to connect Indonesians with the modern
\nconcepts of democracy and social change.<\/p>\n
This book is a must read for people interested in the complete
\nhistory of the first half of the 20th century in this
\narchipelago. By no means does it pit religions against one
\nanother or claim one or the other contributed more; it is quite
\nsimply about key figures who affected much positive change but
\nhave not been accorded the status they deserve.<\/p>\n
-- Rich Simons<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp9book-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }