How Indonesian managed to stay one step backward...

I have just recently finished my diversity and communication class. Although in some particular California University this class translates to gibberish nonsense about your personal work experience or family related issues for about 4 hours straight each class, still I've managed to get some piece of education from it.

During the class, we talked about how diversity affects our life and workplace environment. Diversity as in gender, age, race, ethnicity even sexual orientations. We also learn that each and every individuals are created equal, but they used different ways to communicate and uses variety of norms and custom different from others. This point itself that signifies diversity amongst our equal-ness.

We are diverse because we are different, but still in America our rights as legal civilians are protected through the first amendment, which is the Freedom of speech, due process of law and the Freedom of religion.

Freedom of speech dictates our liberty as civilians to voiced our opinion, and be heard, except for obscenity.

Due process of law states that no man shall be deemed punishment unless proven guilty under the court of law.

Freedom of religion states that each and everyone of us are free to hold our beliefs and religion practices no matter who is the god, and who's your santa, and whether you celebrate your own Christmas in July.

Now the interesting part is we've had a discussion regarding "labeling." Labeling refers to nicknames to a particular ethnic group or race according to the common stereotype.

Stereotype is a form of common belief (normally negative) which is represented by a particular individual person or organization belong to a specific ethnic or culture. Such as Asian people cannot drive, or black people like watermelons and fried chicken, and other negative thoughts about a particular race or ethnic groups caused by misconceptions.

And one of the thing that interests me is the fact that the term "oriental" is not being used anymore (politically incorrect) because it has negative effects, we prefer the term Asian now.

There was a debate, that oriental can still be referred to things (in materials) such as oriental rugs or carpet, oriental exotic foods, however to refer to a person's ethnicity we are using Asians now.

I occasionally surf the web to Indonesian community forums and noticed some of the language barriers which is being used within the forums.


One of the comments posted on this picture by a user:
"tob dah walau oriental.... ma nyozzzzz"
translation: "Even though she's ORIENTAL, the picture is great"

Dude, you call this oriental.

Oriental Chinese Food.


Oriental Persian rug (From Persia)

But you don't call Ayumi Hamasaki "ORIENTAL"

She's not oriental, she's Asian....

But you don't call a human being "oriental" ok? By doing so you degrade your own intellect and your whole mindset. I can't possibly think why Indonesians youth are so good in terms of using technology by internet, and doing demos and strike on equal rights; but they failed to see the difference between "human beings" and "things."

This is also what is sad being Indonesians, some of the education system that we've got is still derived from old colonial in the 1950's era, which is obsolete and require changes. This is why Indonesians are still facing racial issues and ethnicity problems, because the youth itself refuse to embrace diversity, so what if I have lighter skin and smaller eyes? Does it bothers you so much that you have to call me oriental? (while we are still under the same nation, born in the same country, btw)

I think, human quality should be defined by their character and work habits, instead of mere physical differences and ethnic background. Proof that Indonesians still got plenty of things to catch up in order to become a better nation.