Accept the challenge

Accept the challenge

Both recent letters from Mr. Farid Baskoro, particularly his
last (Saturday, July 29, 1995) lambasting Ross Gulliver for his
comments regarding life in Jakarta, were quite amusing. It would
seem that no matter what lament one could come up with regarding
life in Indonesia, Mr. Baskoro has either a contrary personal
anecdote, or politically correct platitude, at hand to discount
it. I would like to suggest to Mr. Baskoro the following more
constructive tack; if the society in which you live has certain
deficiencies (as all do) that make life more difficult than need
be, acknowledge the problems and accept the challenge of
overcoming them, rather than acting as you have with both
defensiveness and a high-handed attitude.

There are certainly aspects of living in Jakarta that are
difficult (the lack of widespread reliable and professional
medical care, as well as the attitude of some Indonesians towards
"mixed" couples are two of these whether you choose to turn a
blind eye or not). But this isn't the point. How can you hope to
see your culture grow and develop if whenever an unflattering
viewpoint pertaining to it is made known you simply reject it out
of hand and carry on with (sorry if this hurts) your xenophobic
and snobbish attitudes? Step down from your pedestal Mr. Baskoro.

JAY MCFARLAND

Jakarta