I Don't Need Any Tribal Identity

I hope people will put greater good upon their tribal/group interests, for the shake of our nation, our country, our society...

Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 9:49am

When I was very young and naïve, I believed that Indonesia truly had “unity in diversity”, that differences are common and accepted. But then there was the 1998 riot and other ethnic or religion turbulents. It broke my heart. If those differences only create disputes, raves, even riots, better we have no difference at all!

I’ve thrown away my Javanese identities. I don’t need any tribal identity. I’m Indonesian, that’s all. I rejected when my mother said, “You are a Javanese!” (you are, mother, not me), stopped asking my friends cultural background, and started being neutral in any cultural discussion. But I understand that for most of Indonesian people, being Indonesian cannot be separated from tribal identities. Yet I hope people will put greater good upon their tribal/group interests, for the shake of our nation, our country, our society.

Imigrants always face discrimination—that’s not fair. But nowadays Chinese-Indonesians are not imigrants. If discrimination still exists—it is done by VERY selfish, stupid, and narrow-minded people. When I was in junior high school, I figured out that one of my Chinese-Indonesian friend loved Indonesia more than I did. Now I think that anyone loves Indonesia is my family, anyone respects Indonesia is my friend, even despite of their nationality.

Btw, forgive me for using the term “Chinese-Indonesian”. It’s just how to express a clear context.