By Aaron Rao
Malaysia as we all know is eminent for our many races and wealth in diverse cultures and heritage. Not only that, Malaysia is praised for the unity of its citizens. The spirit of unity is a value in which our government has been encouraging the rakyat to live out and believe.
Therefore it is essential that the learning process starts from the upbringing of the country’s young generation. Thus, schools and education institutes whether it is primary, secondary, or tertiary, has a vital role to play. Now here’s the problem, according some chats I had our senior citizens which I’ve spoken to, all of them stressed out that during their heyday co-curricular activities is the time where by every student work together and learn more about each others cultures through interactions.
But in recent decade, more and more clubs and societies in school are formed consisting of single race students. To give a couple of examples would be Chinese Language Club, Tiong Hoa Club, Indian Culture Society or more well known as Persatuan Kebudayaan India (KPI), and on a larger scale, Gerakan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) and more.
I do not doubt the positive elements these societies and clubs can bring. I recognize the importance of cherishing the cultures and heritage the different races here possess. Although these societies and clubs claim that its existence is to relish our countries cultures, common sense surely tells us that nobody from Tiong Hwa Club will be interested to join Indian Culture Society and be a lone ranger there. In my opinion the existence of this clubs defeats the purpose of extra co-curricular activities. Looking at the situation now, students are more likely to be separated rather than united. Not only that, the activities that these societies and clubs offer also takes quite some time in a students weekly schedule with meetings and event planning to attend to. This not only cuts down the time for multi cultural students to mingle together, it also limits interaction chances for them. As far as I’m concern, even when students are told by teachers and lecturers to form a group to do group assignments, members are carefully picked to make sure that it consist of one single race or mostly so.
Even at varsity level it’s hard to find a group of friends sitting at the mamak consisting of multi ethnicity having a strong bond. We watch how Merdeka advertisements on TV show two or three children of mixed races running around playing at the kampong or playground. But in reality, how often do we see that happening? Modern day parents every so often even advise their own child not to mingle around with different races due to cultural differences.
Many of us may not realise this happening and of course there also will be people that disagree. Whichever side the reader stands, I’m sure achieving ultimate unity in our country is a common goal that all of us, the rakyat, want to achieve and it is important not to let any devil in disguise breaking or separating the country apart from its rich and strong roots. As what Optimus Prime would say, “Humans are a young species and have much to learn from each other”. Let us not have anything trying to stop us from doing that.
~~~~~
Writer’s note: My thanks for all the support and prayers given from KK family and others as well. Every ounce of encouragement is truly appreciated. Thanks J.
Mourinhonator says: I’ll be back!
Editor’s note: Finally my turn. Please feel free to leave your comments at the section below. How important is ethnicity to you?
I think, its the socialising factor, lah. Birds of same feather tend to flock together, what. Single race clubs are mainly formed for cultural reasons. Its to promote the cultural diversity also lah. Only in a more segregated way. Like I said. Don’t politicize everything lah.
It made sense that birds of the same feather tend to flock together but should it be used as a reason to continue seeing people from different races spending lesser time together & having lesser interaction? I personally think that it is not about “politicizing”; it is more about creating awareness of this phenomenon and do our part in creating more opportunities to accommodate more interaction between races. As being mentioned in “Lantern Festival@USM”, of those who actually went for that function, there was only a minority of other races; hence I think it is about time when clubs and societies put their heads together to brainstorm about effective ways to get more active involvements of others in the activities organized irregardless of their races. It is only through collective effort in creating active involvement and interaction that a single-race-club’s objective to promote cultural diversity can be achieved. If every rakyat were to have the mentality of getting together is based on the type of “feather”, there will not be Malaysia—the country with a strong unity spirit in every citizen.
well done.oh how is ur grandma n ur bro?
Agree!
i totally agree with G.FarAWaY.
G.FarAWaY, to live in denial would not do. Being a Malaysian doesnt’ necessarily means getting together at certain occasions but it had to be felt and practised at every opportunity in our daily ordeal. Would it be more Malaysian if you join in Pesta Tanglung if in reality you hardly join and interact with the Chinese? The same goes for Malays and Indians. To put it analogically, if you are a sparrow you naturally share the dietary and food forage pattern with the other sparrows. It doesn’t make you any less avian. You see what i mean?
It is indeed a very interesting response. As mentioned by Aaron, even in varsity level, it is a very rare scene to have a group of multiracial friends getting together and share a strong bond. A very good example could be found from our daily classes; when students are required to form groups for projects or discussions, what is the probability of us seeing a multiracial group being formed in reality? Multiracial interactions as we could see can be considered as at its minimal in our daily lives, so what other opportunities should we have if we were to continue getting together based on the “feathers” even outside the lecture halls? Activities organized by clubs and societies and festivals like the Pesta Tanglung would hence serve the purpose of accommodating multiracial interaction. Through these activities and events, people from different races get to mingle around, have fun and thus strengthening the bond. I am sure Aina enjoyed her exposure to the Chinese’s culture and had fun walking alongside her friends with the free lantern in hand. I personally enjoyed it too!! So, hopefully there will be more opportunities for multiracial interaction provided by activities and events organized by C & S (clubs & societies) in our uni!!
I was there too and the Pesta Tanglung was amazing. I paticularly like the performance by the Ping Hua Girls School Orchestra. The music was vibrant and it pulled the audience to a dimension of music and enjoyment. The colour of the Chinese culture could be seen there. A night to remember.
FAIR COMPITITION LEADS TO A BETTER SOCIETY
By scorpi2000 – May 15th, 2008 at 8:06 pm EDT
By scorpi2000 – Mar 9th, 2008 at 3:49 am EDT
The only reason that race is an issue in any society, is because one group or another feel they have the right to gain power or stay in power by any means. Stopping or preventing any fair competition is ok because, “our existance is more important than yours”. Achieving this goal by hook or by crook doesnt matter to some .This way of thinking can only manifest when one race or culture feels that thier individual existance, beliefs and wants are more important or relevant than the lives of others that also live on the planet. The exceptance of this logic leads to one believing they have the right to take over or exploit another mans property or land, and punish, or demonize anyone who resists or fights back.
When this aproach to survival ,is embraced, and put into action, the individual, the race,the culture, the society, the country, or the nation using it, has actually jeapordized its own future existance, peace and survival. When this aproach to life is used against another human being you have now forced him to either, adopt the same concept to protect himself, ATTACK, flee, be detroyed or dehumanized.Any and all wars are a product of this phenomina.As history has always repeated itself in previous societies, after building and maintaining a great society based on these concepts, they all fail because of the same concept that created them.
Colapsing from within , its own people using the concept on themselves, or because the other countries, in fear of you doing the same to them, rush to become powerful enough to protect themselves, or try to do you, before you do them.It will only end when we as human beings stop using this conceptto, gain power, maintain power, gather resources or secure survival.We should immidiatly start using our power and knowledge today to first protect ourselves from that which has already been set in motion long time ago. Build and maintain a strong military for defence purposes only.At the same time, create a self sufficient, self sustaining society in America containing a balance of all races and cultures around the world.
We must teach all children the reasons, rules and laws of existing in a peacful inclusive society.
The other way it can end is if the concept of (win any way you can) evolves to a point where the use of this way of life spreads around the country, spreads around the world, and manifests into a massive war that destroys most, leaving only the meak to inherit the earth.
SOUNDS FAMILIAR DOESNT IT.
THANKS
SCORPI2000