The danger of generalizing

I would like to comment on the opinion article, Xenophobic MP sours race debate in Australia (Aug. 8, 1997), by Mr. Rob Goodfellow, a Ph. D. student on assignment in Java.

Fittingly, this article was positioned underneath a leading article by the esteemed Indonesian sociologist Mr. Arief Budiman, who provided a brilliant and honest portrayal of Australian race relations. A fine sociologist sullied, perhaps, by the subordinate bunkum of Mr. Goodfellow.

Goodfellow, whilst knocking Asian value systems in general and the so-called habit of smiling in public and "axe grinding" in private, embellished Australian values. He suggested these values were both honest in manner and intention: a moral congruency monopolized by the "democratic West".

Ironically this bombastic ramble came on the heels of recent embarrassing and "immoral" newsbreaks from Canberra, where top- level, secret ministerial documents were surreptitiously released to the press. These documents revealed Australia's vulgar contempt for its smaller Pacific neighbors.

If we are to believe Goodfellow, then, Australian leaders meeting these vilified Pacific leaders must now spit in their faces. Unlike their Asian counterparts, Australians are uncompromisingly honest with their feelings and intentions and it is, after all, the Western democratic thing to do.

Keep researching Mr. Goodfellow.

FRANCESCO

Jakarta