Debates on serious subjects

Debates on serious subjects

In recent months The Jakarta Post daily has been able to
publish controversial topics for debate, which is an opportunity
for readers to express themselves freely. This to me represents
good characteristics of any standard modern newspaper in the
world. I particularly appreciated contributions by the Post's
readers on street insults directed at foreigners, what others
simply label "racism". The result is that some of the culprits
will have by now improved their behavior most properly towards
other people of different races. As far as the affected
foreigners are concerned, many have learned a lesson and have
taken note of the situation.

The sad thing is that some readers do not make proper use of
this excellent opportunity, but instead use the column for
insinuations, abusive words and insults against others. At one
time, a reader made a provocative statement suggesting that your
views column in the Post should be stopped entirely, even though
he is vocal in this column and always uses it to express his own
feelings and opinions. It's a wonder the column has been able to
survive. Probably it's because the Post is managed by people of
wisdom and maturity who believe that freedom of expression is a
natural right of humankind without racial prejudices.

I enthusiastically follow the on-going debate about vitriolic
criticism of the English language (spoken and written) which has
deviated from the original source: British English. This debate
has entertainment value only. It is certainly less important for
immediate solutions to problems of humanity in this contemporary
world where illiteracy, poverty, starvation, wars, earthquakes,
corruption and disease still dominate parts of the globe.

I have read in the Post about life-threatening floods and
fire-outbreaks in various places, but I have never read about
serious and lengthy debates on how to avoid such catastrophes or
how best to assist victims. The Post should encourage debates
that involve issues on human lives and properties. But if we all
ignore the above and insist on debates with entertainment value
only then our next topic, after the one on English usage, may
perhaps be on women heavily beating men in Zimbabwe, which the
Post reported on page one of Jan. 2, 1996 edition. One may ask:
Are women in Zimbabwe physically stronger than men?

BUHARI ABDU

Jakarta