From: u907736@postoffice.utas.edu.au (Edmund Chia)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean
Subject: Re: racial harmony, not a dream...
Date: 17 Oct 92 03:04:54 GMT
Organization: University of Tasmania

In article <10792759.5.719206842@eng2.eng.monash.edu.au>, 10792759@eng2.eng.monash.edu.au (YEW YAP) writes:

Much stuff deleted

        Realists are often people with a selective interpretation of history. 
I appreciate that racial harmony is not easy to achieve but not that it is 
impossible or even impractical. However, first we ought to clarify what we mean 
by the terms. Does racial harmony imply different peoples with 
different cultures living in peace? If that is what you mean than I see no 
problem. Surely you don't believe that Chinese are all clones and carbon copies 
of one another. Every society, even the most 'homogenous' of societies will 
reflect a variety of life-style differences. Therefore, even in China, 
considerable differences would be found between the Shanghainese and the 
Cantonese and the Bejingese, etc. Nor were relations between these various 
groups always cordial. The Han invaded South China(which was considered a 
'different' racial' group although centuries of intermarriages have diluted 
the differences), and the 'barbarian tribes' which today are considered 
'Chinese' invaded China. Recently a Manchurian stated on this newsgroup that 
Manchurian =s Chinese. Anyway, my point is that even a so-called homogenous 
racial grouping like the Chinese is pretty diverse when it comes down to 
culture in terms of day to day living. Indeed, 'Chinese' appears to be more a 
'national' label rather than a epithet for race. I see no reason why Malaysia 
can not evolve in a like manner. That means people with cultural differences 
in terms of religion, language, etc sharing a common identity based on 
nationhood. 
        I appreciate the difficulties in Malaysia. One primary obstacle towards 
harmony of any other is the polticisation of the issue, by opportunistic 
politicians who exploit an inadequate understanding of the issues by most 
Malaysians. Many equate racial harmony with utopia or no more poverty or crime, 
etc. Historically, competition for jobs and resources had always been present 
in spite of the racial composition of a society. Racial diversity merely 
provides people with a useful scapegoat for any preceived wrongs. Yew Yap 
pointed to the U.S.A. as an example and mentioned 'black' and 'white' men 
and the tension between them as evidence of the inevitability of racial discord.
However, might I point out the fact that the 'white' men comprises different 
races, Polish, French, British, Irish, etc. To consider them all alike or to 
be from a similar race is to ignore history and fact, as well as belittle the
rich cultures which they represent. The U.S.A. was able to celebrate these
differences and provide a nation in which age-old rivals like the French and
the British, and the Germans, and the Slavs, etc, were able to live in harmony.
The tension between the 'blacks' and 'whites' does not arise from historical 
inevitability but from the historical circumstances of their relationship, a 
relationship founded upon slavery and the creations of social conditions for an
underclass. (Opponents of the Bumiputra policy would do well to remember that in
spite of its flaws, it was meant to prevent the creation of an indigenous
underclass as had been the case in many other countries.) Countries in which 
'black' and 'white' relations are more cordial may be found in South America 
which has a history of white settlement as long as that in the North, but which 
has evolved along different lines. 
        It has been asserted that there is no basis on which to claim 
racial harmony in Malaysia. However, I find the  belief that race relations in 
Malaysia is really characterised by inter-racial ill-feeling constrained by 
economic necessity - a sort of uneasy armistice - unrealistic. I don't believe 
that a 'unifying' national identity can be achieved overnight, and I am well 
aware at the extent of the inter-racial resentment which still exist in many 
quarters. I am aware that many Malays still feel threatened by the Chinese and 
believe that the Chinese owe no loyalty to the country and that the Chinese 
monopolise the riches of the country. I am also aware of the wide belief among 
Chinese that they are politically and culturally oppressed by the language 
policies on schools, the discrimination of sec 153, the 'laziness' of the 
Malays and their reliance and exploitation of Chinese hardwork. These are 
huge obstacles and negative images which stand in the way of harmonious race 
relations. However, I also see a convergence of popular culture and inter-racial
friendships, of common cultural symbols. One natural cultural symbol would be 
food. Look at the examples of food 'missed' by Malaysians overseas and cited 
in this newsgroup. They are not race-specific e.g. Peking Duck. Instead, they 
are Malaysian-centric examples of food. There are many many other indicators 
that point to a long-term convergence of the various cultures and a Malaysian 
identity. As for inter-racial marriages, for better or worse and in 
spite of parental-opposition, inter-racial relationships are increasing. I
know of at least 5 such relationships in Uni. of Tas.(all their parents 
object or would probably object if they knew, except one). As I said, I don't 
think the changes would occur overnight, nevertheless, I do believe that the 
changes are evident and based on facts, not merely good wishes. Its just that 
too many people are embarassed at expressing these beliefs for fear of being 
labelled a wishy washy and unrealistic dreamer.


Edmund