To be a nation<\/p>\n
Another Independence Day approaches, and Indonesians across
\nthe country engage in customary flag-waving and community
\ncelebrations. Such is the routine of this annual event -- the
\n59th in Indonesia's history -- that most take it for granted.<\/p>\n
After the political turmoil and economic hardship of the last
\nfew years, many of us just hope to get by, forgetting that our
\nforefathers' sacrifice may have been as great, if not greater,
\nthan the challenges of the past six years.<\/p>\n
We sometimes forget that our independence -- the very essence
\nof humanity -- was achieved after the shedding of much blood and
\ntears. Not just over six years, but a relentless effort of
\ngenerations.<\/p>\n
While the present generation may never fully understand the
\nsacrifice of their forefathers, it does not mean that we should
\nforget them. In a similar vein, while there is much to dislike
\nabout the current state of events and actions of the nation's
\npolitical elite, it should not by any means lessen underlying
\nlove for this blessed country.<\/p>\n
Birthdays and the turn of the year are always poignant moments
\nfor reflection. Certainly there is much to exasperate us as we
\nrecount the troubles ailing the nation.<\/p>\n
Economic and social injustice continue to prevail, leaving the
\nnation even farther from its constitutional ideal of creating a
\n\"just and civilized society\".<\/p>\n
The country, in many respects, is failing to provide basic
\nnecessities for its people. Some 16 million children do not
\nreceive any kind of formal education, while millions more people
\nare living at subsistence level. Even average life expectancy and
\nthe literacy rate have dropped. Not surprisingly, the latest UN
\nHuman Development Report listed Indonesia as among the bottom
\nthird in a list of 177 countries.<\/p>\n
The nation's forefathers would likely share our discontent at
\nthis state of affairs. But how would they respond when looking at
\ntheir country as it ends its sixth decade of independence?<\/p>\n
They would likely be satisfied that this young nation, in
\nspite of wealth disparities, has moved beyond mere subsistence.<\/p>\n
They would sigh with relief that the territorial vision of
\nIndonesia Raya remains intact, despite the wide range of
\nethnicities that exist across the archipelago.<\/p>\n
They would grin at the current political predicaments, as they
\nrecall their own crises and ideological battles.<\/p>\n
They would also glare with envy at the abundance of wealth
\nproduced by our natural resources.<\/p>\n
Constitutional-legal debates, the political division of
\nsociety and issues of separatism are cycles in history. Fate
\noften dooms the next generation to repeat the mistakes of its
\nfathers. But this generation of Indonesia is, at least,
\nacknowledging and attempting to correct much of the malady of the
\npast. The introduction of a new political system, constitutional
\namendments and a more accountable government through direct
\nelections are baby steps in the formation of a more mature
\nnation. For this, we, and even our forefathers, should be proud.<\/p>\n
There are, of course, a host of reasons not to be a proud of
\nthis country, many of which we have highlighted earlier. But our
\ndetermination to take the difficult road to create a more humane
\nsociety is a triumph that few nations have dared to emulate.<\/p>\n
As we quietly commemorate Independence Day at home with our
\nfamilies, it is worthwhile remembering that while the nation may
\nstill not provide for millions of its sons and daughters, it
\npromises hope, the benefits of which will, perhaps, be reaped by
\nthe nation's grandchildren.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/to-be-a-nation-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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