'The good and the bad are part of my history'

'The good and the bad are part of my history'

Labor and women's rights activist Dita Indah Sari can
rightfully claim to have experienced both the sour and sweet
twists of life. In 1997, Dita, a dropout of the University of
Indonesia's School of Law, was imprisoned for staging mass labor
rallies in Surabaya. Today, in a new era in the country, the
commitment of the head of the Front National for Indonesian Labor
Struggles (FNBI) has paid off -- she recently received the Ramon
Magsaysay award in Manila for her work. She talked this week to
The Jakarta Post's Emmy Fitri Hastuti about things
close to her.

Question: If you had the choice, what would you be doing
right now?

Answer: I don't know what because no one has ever asked me such a
question. I also don't think I have too many choices. What I want
is not to get married (laughs). I think I would like to live on
my own and out of my parents' house and take care of myself.

I have to say that there is no problem in my relationship with
my parents, only that I really want to concentrate on my work and
my activities, particularly so since I was released from jail I
have a bunch of activities and sometimes I have to go home so
late. I don't want to disturb my family.

Q: Which trait do you most like about yourself?

A: I am relatively tolerant of a wide range of people's
characteristics, principles and ideologies. My tolerance is not
in terms that I easily agree or go along with other's
characteristics or ideologies, but more that I can respect and
appreciate others. And this trait really helps me to get along
with other people.

Q: And dislike?

A: I am sometimes too emotional, especially if there are too many
pressures and burdens in my job. But this is often triggered by
fatigue as I have to deal with many kinds of people, working
until late at night, when full concentration is needed. And
sometimes people's expectations of me are too high.

Nevertheless, I try to control this trait because it's one of
my weaknesses. It's clear to me, and at the same time I only have
regrets after I blow up.

Q: Whom do you admire?

A: Nelson Mandela. Mandela is a true representative of a fighter.
He took the biggest risk in choosing to fight against the racist
government in his country, which was considered to be the
greatest crime of subversion, to stand against his government in
his country ....

Q: What clothes do you like to wear?

A: I have to wear semiofficial outfits now because every day I
can have two to three different kinds of activities, from staging
rallies, going to seminars and meeting with people. So I have to
wear clothes that are suitable for any occasion. But if I had the
choice, I would wear casual clothes.

Q: Do you believe in God?

A: Yes, very much. In jail, I had the chance to strengthen my
faith and beliefs. Prison is a cold and quiet place where people
get so much time to silently contemplate and think about
themselves. I am not saying that I found God when I was jailed
but my faith was really felt because He is the one that we really
can share everything with when we are alone.

Q: What was the last book you read?

A: Fidel Castro's Neo Liberalism and the IMF. Lucky you asked
because I just finished it.

Q: What makes you angry?

A: People who do not want to admit that they are wrong or make
mistakes. Imagine that if people were willing to admit their
mistakes, apologize, then one word of forgiveness would be enough
to heal others. Forgiveness can settle many problems.

Q: What makes you laugh?

A: (Laughs) If I am interviewed and asked personal questions,
that makes me laugh a lot. I don't know why but maybe because I
am rarely interviewed and asked personal questions.

Q: And cry?

A: Many things. If there are too many burdens in my job because
too many targets can't be met, or if I cannot fulfill other
people's expectation of me. I cry not because I feel despair or
frustration, but mostly because I need to express my emotions.

Q: What three things would you take with you to a desert island?

A: A Walkman, a mobile phone and a novel.

Q: What things do you always bring with you?

A: My Walkman, a mobile phone and a newspaper. I always buy a
newspaper every morning and take it along with me the whole day.

Q: Do you have a favorite song?

A: Not in terms of a particular song but I love Enya's songs. Her
music creates a different atmosphere, like being inside a
peaceful church.

Q: Do you have a favorite movie?

A: American Beauty. The movie is very good, I only watched it
once though.

Q: Do you ever worry about your appearance?

A: No, I never worry about any flaws in my appearance or the
good side of my appearance. Why? Should I? (laughs)

Q: What would you change about your appearance?

A: Nothing, I think I feel comfortable with the way I look now.
And it never crosses my mind to change how I look. I might cut my
hair short but not for the sake of changing my appearance, it
would have to be for practical reasons.

Q: What makes your life worth living?

A: Because my family and friends support me and have helped make
me what I am now, and moreover because I know I can share what is
inside me with others ....

Q: Is there anything you regret about your life?

A: Not a single thing. The good and bad are all part of my
history. The dark side should not be regretted -- it should be
learned as a lesson.

Q: How would you like to be remembered?

A: This is difficult. For the labor movement, I want to be
remembered as someone who cared and was sincerely dedicated to
the struggle of justice for my worker friends. And, in general, I
think everybody wants to be remembered as a good person.