Sense of humor vital for debate<\/p>\n
I would like to thank Francesco of Jakarta for his vitriolic
\nand humorless response (Aug. 27) to my article Xenophobic MP
\nsours race debate in Australia (Aug. 8).<\/p>\n
Francesco's response has again reminded me of the sensitivity
\nof cross cultural issue between neighbors. However, I must take
\nFrancesco to task on two points.<\/p>\n
First, he makes no mention of Dr. M. Dwi Marianto (a close
\nfriend, colleague and prominent Indonesian art scholar) in his
\ncriticism of the article. This is strange because it was jointly
\nauthored<\/p>\n
Dr. Marianto has in fact lived with his family for many years
\nin Australia. Together we were careful to craft a balanced,
\nalthough light-hearted perspective on the Pauline Hanson debate.
\nSo why just pick on the bule (white person)?<\/p>\n
Further, Francesco raises the question of the recent
\n\"embarrassing and immoral\" news breaks from Canberra regarding
\nleaked top level government documents which have deeply damaged
\nrelations with Australia's Pacific neighbors<\/p>\n
Francesco rightly says that this is both hypocritical and
\ndisgraceful. I could not agree more. But what Francesco fails to
\ndo is honestly look at the subsequent open and public criticism
\nof ordinary Australians toward the dishonorable behavior of their
\ngovernment, which must be, according to any standard, a model of
\nopenness in government.<\/p>\n
Finally, I will do as Francesco so sarcastically says and
\n\"keep researching\" (every aspect of life and culture in this
\ngreat nation of Indonesia), if Francesco promises to do one thing
\n-- develop a sense of humor.<\/p>\n
ROB GOODFELLOW (MAS SUJOKO)<\/p>\n
Yogyakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sense-of-humor-vital-for-debate-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }