Races

Racism is the belief that one group of people with a particular biological make up is superior to other groups with a differing biological make up. Thus, these groups deemed superior are allowed to gain economic power and social dominance over the other groups considered inferior.

In the 20th century, the face of racism was largely black and white. Today, the face of racism has become multi-colored and multicultural. With the high increase of diverse populations entering and maintaining communities all over the country, racism has expanded to include antagonism between peoples of many cultures.

The battle against racism is a never ending one. From the famous battle led by Martin Luther King until our very own the late Yasmin Ahmad as well as our recent "Satu Malaysia" campaign, the light of the end of racism seems far than we really thought.

Why? Have you ever wonder when you became racist? Where did you adopt such perspective towards other races? Do you realised how it all started?

One must appreciate the saying of "Monkey see, monkey do" and upon applying it to the the parents-children relationship, the answer seems to be clear, our own parents. Having said this, parents are not the only contributing factor to racism but they did "played" an significant "role" in inciting hatred and racism in the hearts of the pure and innocent children.

To illustrate the point, lets have a look at the following story of 3 children from different walks of life..

[3 kids named Tambi, Ah Chai, and Dik are best friends since pre-school..They play together, go piss together and got bullied together.. No matter what they do, they would do it together..You can almost hear "one for all, and all for one" whispering in your ears..One day at school,their first day in primary school they have been given an assignment, a project by their English teacher..They were given a topic to work on..The topic was "Races"]

Tambi: Aiyoyo..Ah Chai and Dik ar, what to write la..

Ah Chai: I dono la..I veli bad in writting one..

Dik: Adui..So easy also you guys can't write ke? Just write about car racing la..

Tambi: Dei, it's races la..That means more than one..We got to write more..

Ah Chai: Then we can write about F1 also ma? F1 veli expensip and cool one lo..

Dik: Can Can..You suka..Janji happy..

Ah Chai: But 2 only not enup la..How to get full marks..Got to think more..

Tambi: Aiyoyo..Why you so "kiasu" la dei..If like that, we go home ask our parents..Then we only see how to write..ok?

Dik and Ah Chai: OK!

Scene 1- Back at Tambi's home

Tambi: Ma..Ah Pa...Can tell me got what races ar?

Ma: Aiyoyo..(knock tambi's head)..Ina Dei, races also dono? There are races like Chinese, Malay and Indian.

Tambi: ??..Aiks? Races la Ma...Ina Chinese, Malay, and Indian?

Ah Pa: Chinese is the apek who always money face..Malay is the Mat Rempit..And Indian.. Mostly consist of doctors and lawyers..(clearing throat)

Tambi: (Scratching his head) Er....ok ok...[write and write]

Scene 2- Back at Ah Chai's house

Ah Chai: Mummy, Daddy, teacher asked us to write about races..Can tell me some more got

what races ar?

Mummy: Waa..Races you also don't know? You never pay attention in class ar? There are

Chinese, Malay and Indian ma..Leh..your friend Dik is Malay and Tambi, Indian ma..

Ah Chai: Ooo..Not racing meh? F1 and car racing ma..Not meh?

Daddy:You make me veli sad..Tell you so many times focus..Focus in schoot ma!..(Pulled Ah

Chai's ear)..Why you write only meh? Not a group project meh? Your lazy friends never help ar? Why you go and find Indian and Malay to be in your group? They all veli lazy one..Tomolow you go tell your teacher..Tell they never helped..

Ah Chai: But..But..They are my best friends!

Daddy: You don't talk so much..You just do what I say!

Scene 3- Back at Dik's home

Dik: Ayah, Mak, Cikgu asked us to write tentang races..Ada apa lagi selain car racing?

Mak: Alamak anak ku, Races are Malay, Chinese and Indian..You just cerita about the sejarah..

Malay is the bumiputra while Chinese came from China and Indian from India..

Dik: Aduh..Apa tu..Cikgu wants races la..Why talk about history and all..Ah Chai, Tambi and

I have thought about F1 and car racing..Apa lagi?

Ayah: So now you are in a group with Ah Chai and Tambi? You make sure you don't share their food..Especially Ah Chai..Tak halal tu..You don't talk too much..You just listen to Ayah and Mak..We know best..

Dik: Ala..Baik la..

[The next day at school.....]

Ah Chai: Tambi, Dik..Look what I brought for you..Chocolates!

Tambi: Woo..Thank you!

Dik: [With a serious face] Ayah said your food not halal..

Ah Chai:What you mean?

Dik: Means cannot..

Ah Chai: Ceh..Don't want don't want lo..I can eat more..By the way, I am not going to group with you all already..I going to tell teacher to change..

Tambi: But..Why? I already wrote so much..You see..

[Dik and Ah Chai read what Tambi have written]

Ah Chai: What?! Why you say Chinese money face?! We where got put money on our face wo..Talk rubbish!

Dik: Apa ni?! We are Bumiputra la..Who say Mat Rempit?!!!

Dik, Tambi , and Ah Chai : HMMMPHHHHHH!!!!!

As you can see, many parents who know best have to admit that they indeed did "played" their part in tampering efforts to curb racism. Why must can't Green represent Chinese, Red for Indian and Purple for Malay? There are just colours!By all means, you can inherit your genes, and assets but please, not hatred! Stop emphasing to your children our differences! It is that differences that make us Malaysians so special! No race is more superior than another!It is just different emphasis! Don't just judge one by what he did wrong. Judge him by what he did right! Every races have their own bad hats.No one is perfect and so are you!

If we care too much on superiority, we will be blurred by jealousy and prejudice! Stop! Aren't we all just humans living in this world? Instead of wasting time distinguishing ourselves, why not use the time to make the world a better place for your children if not for yourself? If you are racist, admit it and keep it to yourself. Keep it away from your pure and innocent children. They deserves a better world to live in. Come on guys, lets try our very best and.....

Say "Tak Nak" racist! Say "Nak", we are all the same.