Explaining Race Relations

Issues on race relations are not something that can be avoided in Malaysia. Amidst the deepening racial fissures surfacing across the country, I believe I have reasons to be concerned how this will affect the upbringing of my three sons, particularly Son No 1.

I have noticed in passing that Son No 1 seems to have developed a mild disdain for a certain race. As usual, that throws me into a reflective mode. I wonder whether we, as his parents, have a role to play in his development in that direction. There have been occasions when my hubby and I would discuss events which troubled us, like the recent ISA arrests which were clearly racially-biased. And in the past, we would have discussed the money politics, the affirmative action policies and even the day-to-day management of the country which did not put the bumiputras in a flattering light. These were conversations that Son No 1 might have overheard and from where he might have drawn certain conclusions.

These national events might seem distant to a 12-year-old, but Son No 1 is hardly untouched by racial concerns in his own life. I reckon Son No 1's first direct encounter with racial issues happened some time last year when his school banned all home food from the school grounds to keep the school environment totally halal. The school had earlier caught some non-muslim students eating pork in the school canteen and deemed the act disrespectful to the muslim community. The school canteen had a halal kitchen but the pork in question was brought from the students' own homes for their own consumption. It is not like the Muslims were forced to partake in the non-halal food. I see nothing wrong in sharing that common space - and I let my view be known. As a result of the ban, Son No 1 could not even bring sandwiches from home. Nope, not even jam or peanut butter sandwich. Not even home-baked cakes or cookies. These are only allowed if they are manufactured commercially, and hence presumably have the halal certification, and the food is still in the original packaging. To me, the school has carried it too far.

This whole incident may not seem a serious matter by itself but the principle behind it encapsulates the basis of race relations in the country. In essence, non-bumis must at all times be racially-sensitive, but this rule does not apply to the bumis. The recent ISA arrests of the Chinese reporter and the Chinese MP in Malaysia, while the bumi instigators got away lightly, are clear examples of this one-sided principle.

Now, it is important to me that Son No 1 does not grow up with a coloured view of the world. But it is also important that he is aware of the state of affairs.

I knew what I needed to do. Yesterday, I had a chance to talk to Son No 1 about my concerns and explain to him that there are really two levels of race relations. At the State level, including all top-down directives, race relations are often dictated by a few and the policies and sentiments could be deeply prejudiced, racially- and politically-motivated and sometimes, plain senseless. It is this level of racial prejudice and injustice that we need to counter.

But at another level, in our daily interactions, we are talking about fellow humans who may be very similar to us in our walk through life, though they belong to a different race. At this level, we may find that we can actually be good friends with people from other races. They are fundamentally no different from you and me - in Michael Jackson's words, neither black nor white.

I don't know if I have succeeded but I hope I managed to get my message through.