East and West

I am of "Western" descent and have lived in the "East" for the past 12 years. Often in the media, I find reference to "Eastern values", usually with a positive connotation, and "Western values", always with a negative connotation.

My thoughts on this subject are as follows. In order to understand a problem you must first recognize it. In order to solve a problem, you must claim it. God did not create "Eastern" people and "Western" people. He created human beings, all possessing the ability to be good and the potential to be bad.

The primary difference in the two value systems is the degree of openness and honesty about who we are and what we are. We from the "West" do not hide behind (as a whole) a culture or a religion. We certainly have no one to blame for our shortcomings but ourselves. We are what we are.

So the "East" could learn a valuable lesson from those "Western values" that are so often blamed for their negative influences in the East. Be honest with yourselves. Why not recognize, claim and ultimately solve the problems instead of blaming other people for what you are...

KALIMAN

Jakarta