Javanese culture and democracy

Although members of the Javanese community may claim they represent a "non-confrontational" culture (Javanese culture barrier to democracy: The Jakarta Post, April 30), it might be arrogant to not consider the experiences of young girls sold into prostitution discussed in the following page of the same issue of the Post (Human trafficking on the rise in East Java).

I do apologize, but non-confrontational people do not take away the rights of others and hold them for ransom, or place the price of freedom above the price they were initially sold into slavery for.

One only need do a little research into the outcome of "non- confrontational" Javanese codes of conduct to reveal how zealous pride in our respect for each other and the respectful silence imposed by parents, teachers and community leaders has turned the culture into nothing less than a combative culture -- calling on the assistance of family and friends and authority figures bearing bamboo spears, machetes, the threat of ostracism, the appearance of ghosts "that wrestle with Allah", and high-placed government officials whose lust for money matches their lust for control.

"Amok" doesn't arise from anything other than respecting someone you don't respect for just a little too long.

Maybe it's time "traditional" Java realized it.

BRUCE BAGGETT, Jakarta