Goodbye Indonesia

I will probably have arrived at my Kano hometown in the northern part of the federation of Nigeria before the editor of The Jakarta Post receives this letter.

First, let me disclose that although it was the first time I had ever stayed in Asia, as a black man, an African, the traumas and experiences I went through were so scary and formidable that they need to be written clearly in the form of booklet which other black Africans might want to read. A few of these experiences were quite beneficial. Most of them, I am sorry to say, were so nasty. Do you need examples? Here's just an economic example. While in Asia, I learned to become "economically minded" unlike in Africa when I was "only politically" minded.

But the second example is really nasty. Undeniably, most Asians, due to false media information, do not see black Africans positively at all except in a few rare cases. Paradoxically, the mentality is too pervasive that it's practically impossible to change this. There are still people who think that in Africa we sleep on trees. In fact, many of them here in Asia believe strongly that we are black because of the hot sun in Africa or simply that we are dirty people who don't bathe.

Though I am not leaving this country permanently, I am very grateful to the Post for giving me opportunities to always express myself. I have heard that my fellow regular writers are usually invited to the Post's annual anniversary celebration. For unknown reasons, I have never received such an invitation.

Dear readers, who are your best writers? Can I tell you my opinion? Farid Baskoro's letters are quite enlightening and it seems that reading is this man's favorite hobby. He is a good nationalist who defends his people against outside prejudices.

Piero Ronci's letters provide better entertainment for me and I never miss them. I particularly remember him for his perpetual rejection of the colonial mentality which quite a few people may still uphold. His sharp mind and eyes make him a watchdog for the masses.

D. Chandramouli is spiritually minded. His letters earn respect from readers who are of a similar mind. He doesn't attack others and doesn't even respond to attacks on him except in a few cases; but his responses are polite and cool-minded.

I will, for a few months, miss friends, particularly those I met at an informal Islamic forum, JIMS. There are also numerous Indonesian/African friends. However, the question is, on return to beautiful blackland, what will I do as a contribution to the misunderstanding of the African continent as a whole?

I intent to teach them to be friendly and kind to all, including people of different races. I will, at the same time, tell them: "Love all, but trust few, and don't feel inferior or superior to anyone, never mind that he/she may be of lighter complexion."

BUHARI ABDU

Jakarta