Racism concerns unfair treatment

Racism concerns unfair treatment

I refer to C. Parry's letter On racism published in The
Jakarta Post on June 23, 2000. I'd better write down my own
experiences.

At one International School, my child and some other children
were discriminated against by her bule (white person) teacher
because their mothers were Indonesian. The teacher admitted that
she didn't like to see Indonesian women married to "whites". She
obviously was in the wrong country.

While I was playing tennis at my complex with another
Indonesian tenant, a bule, using nasty words, tried to kick us
off the tennis court because she wanted to use it. Any tenant can
use any facility at any time.

Once, I was going to get some water for our children from a
room where any tenant can have it at any time. A bule tried to
stop me. Why? What gave them the right to do all these things?

Nobody is considered a racist by only quoting names. Overseas,
they call me Asian/Indonesian. Even in Jakarta, we sometimes call
each other by the names of our tribes (Jawa, Sunda, Batak, Ambon
and so on) The Betawis call other Indonesians who live in Jakarta
Pendatang (coming from outside). This is a fact. Nevertheless, we
do not call each other racist.

To me, racist/racism applies that a certain race is not fairly
and equally treated by other races. I have good friends in
Jakarta. They come from all over the world.

I had to mention my education because my point is, even though
I am a fortunate person, I will never look down on others. That's
why in Australia, as a migrant country, we weren't discriminated
against.

Yes, good status is very important in most countries. Living
in Jakarta, C. Parry doesn't need to consider her education as an
issue with people around her, because the Indonesian image is
that every bule has good education and is rich. It is good that
C. Parry does understand about the kampong people because they
are less educated. But at least this is their country. What do
you think if they are foreigners against the natives? To many
people this is outrageous.

Having a high standard of living, free time and hospitality
from the natives, some newly rich foreigners forget who they
really are. Back in their countries they are only ordinary
people. Money is not always powerful. Dominating others only
creates wars.

ROSALINE

Jakarta