The process of molding national character<\/p>\n
Mochtar Buchori, Jakarta<\/p>\n
In an article titled Character Is Destiny (International
\nHerald Tribune, Jan. 13, 2005, p.9), William Safire wrote that
\ncharacter is an essential element in the ensuring of long-running
\nsuccess. For any individual, any political group and any nation,
\nreal success can be achieved only through concerted efforts
\nbuttressed by character. Without character, all the other
\nelements necessary for success will be rendered useless.<\/p>\n
What is \"character\"? According to one dictionary, it is \"the
\ncombination of qualities or features that distinguishes one
\nperson, group or thing from another.\" The word comes from the
\nGreek word kharakter which means \"imprint, distinctive mark.\"<\/p>\n
Is character permanent or can it change? Can a person's
\ncharacter, a group's character or that of a nation change?<\/p>\n
Careful examination of the definition cited above suggests
\nthat character is permanent. If a person's character is
\nconsidered to be \"unscrupulous and opportunistic\", for instance,
\nthis means that the person in question has been seen displaying
\nthis pattern of behavior again and again. But what if that person
\nat one stage in his or her life really repents, and he or she
\nbegins displaying a totally different kind of behavior?<\/p>\n
This is rather unlikely in real life. But, if it does happen,
\nthen we say that the person has assumed a new character, which
\nusually is not entirely different from the old one. The old
\ncharacter is modified in some important respects, and this
\ncreates the impression that a new character is born.<\/p>\n
What happens in this hypothetical case is, in my view, that
\nthe person changes his or her value system. The values that
\nunderlie the perceived \"unscrupulous and opportunistic\" character
\nhave been gradually replaced by values that underlie his new
\ncharacter. We will not notice this gradual process unless we
\nobserve closely on a continuing basis the behavior of that
\nperson. Generally speaking, we will say that a person's character
\nhas changed only after we compare impressions obtained from two
\nobservations at two different times separated by a relatively
\nlong period. According to Felix Frankfurter (1882--1965), the
\ntrue character of a person will be revealed only after a person
\nbecomes old and sickly.<\/p>\n
What about the character of a nation? Is it also capable of
\nchange?<\/p>\n
William Safire does not seem to think so. My impression is
\nthat in his view the character of a nation is there to stay. Once
\na nation's character is formed, it will be upheld by that nation,
\ngeneration after generation. Its modes of expression may change
\nfrom period to period, but the substance remains the same. He
\ndescribes the national character of America as the \"temper of the
\npioneer, the gambler and the booster: The religion of economic
\nand political optimism.\"<\/p>\n
Perceived in this way, the national character of America does
\nnot seem to have changed. Until today we can still see traces of
\nthis American temper and optimism. The Iraq invasion is a product
\nof this American political and economic optimism.<\/p>\n
However, I view the question differently. I think that the
\nAmerican national character has gradually changed throughout that
\ncountry's history. The influx of Asian migrants, just to mention
\none example, has in my view altered the American character in
\nseveral ways. And this process of character change has not
\nfinished yet. Paraphrasing Fankfurther, we can say that the
\nAmerican character has not reached a ripe old age yet. It is
\nstill vigorous, and it is still rejuvenating itself. It is still
\ntoo early, in my view, to define the American national character
\nin a final way.<\/p>\n
What about the national character of Indonesia? Is it already
\ndefinitively shaped, or does it still have the potential for
\nchange?<\/p>\n
There are contrasting impressions about the Indonesian
\nnational character. On the one hand there is the contrived image
\nthat the Indonesian character is marked by tolerance, mutual
\nrespect and a continuous search for harmony. But on the other
\nhand, there is the damning impression that the Indonesian
\ncharacter is predominantly corrupt, prone to disregarding the
\nlaw, and persistently inclined toward fragmentation. Which of the
\ntwo more truly reflects the Indonesian character?<\/p>\n
I think both reflect different parts of the Indonesian
\ncharacter. The good image reflects latent potential, while the
\nugly image reflects what is the present reality. We will see
\nsimilar contrasts if we look at the behavior of the Indonesian
\nnation during different periods of Indonesian history. During the
\nphysical revolution of 1945-1949, we see character images clearly
\nmarked by a strong sense of unity, political and economic
\nresilience, and love of human freedom. But images from the 1975-
\n1997 period reflect a completely different character. Images from
\nthis period reflect an abrupt disappearance of democracy, the
\ngradual emergence of totalitarian practices in public
\nadministration, and increasing inequality in the distribution of
\nnational wealth.<\/p>\n
In short, through a historical lens we can see changes in the
\nnature of the Indonesian character. This is to say that the
\nIndonesian national character is still in the process of
\nbecoming. The big question is, what should we do to steer this
\nprocess into the direction that we, Indonesians, commonly aspire
\nto?<\/p>\n
If I am not mistaken, Goethe once said that \"genius is formed
\nin quiet, but character is formed in the stream of human life.\"
\nAnd Helen Keller (1880-1968) said in 1930 that \"Character cannot
\nbe developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial
\nand suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared,
\nambition inspired, and success achieved.\" And there is one other
\nimportant quotation in this regard. This is from a Russian poet,
\nYevgeny Yevushenko (born in 1933), who said that \"Character
\nbegins to form at the first pinch of anxiety about ourselves.\"<\/p>\n
The recent earthquake and tsunami disaster is a powerful event
\nin our national life. It has brought home to us experiences of
\ntrial and suffering. It has also made us feel a pinch of anxiety
\nabout ourselves. It will, if we are smart, strengthen our soul,
\nclear our vision, inspire our ambition and bring us success. In
\nshort, this disaster has all the elements needed to form our
\nnational character. This is a historic opportunity we should not
\nmiss.<\/p>\n
The writer has a doctorate of education from Harvard
\nUniversity.<\/p>",
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