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