I respect my 'bule' husband

I respect my 'bule' husband

I am replying to Ms. Lusiana Hasan's letter What is 'Your
Letters' for? (The Jakarta Post, Sept. 4, 1995).

I was shocked to read her letter saying "those women (married
to bule) usually come from not so-well educated families".

I should say I come from a very respectable, educated family
as both my parents are professionals (a medical doctor and a
lawyer), my brothers, sister and I have university degrees.
Fortunately for us, our parents were able to send us overseas to
get a higher education, and I am proudly married to a bule man.

My husband is very caring, responsible and has a warm and
beautiful family too. Both of us respect each other's culture and
family values.

I know many Indonesian women who also come from respectable
and educated families, and who are married to bule and most of us
have jobs in reputable firms with good positions. I am sorry to
say that I also know too many Indonesian men who have cheated on
their wives and have very narrow minds. I hope this letter will
open Ms. Hasan's mind, that not all Indonesian women married to
bule are cheap.

As for the racism issue, I have to say I hate racism. But
let's admit that it happens everywhere. My sister experienced it
once while she was in Australia. One narrow minded Aussie came up
to her and yelled "go home Asian!" Still, we do not consider all
Australians to be racists.

NIDIA BRAKSTAD

Jakarta