The Star
WHY NOT? By RASLAN SHARIF
It has been a rip-roaring read so far, as one party rips into another while the other side roars back in defiance and indignity, and vice-versa.
It is one hell of a rollercoaster ride that is not for the faint-hearted; the end is not yet in sight, if it is at all coming.
The kid gloves have not only been removed, they seem to have been consigned to the dustbin. And it does not look like anyone wants to put them back on.
But first, as someone on Twitter suggested, let us ask ourselves what racism is.
There are several definitions in the dictionaries, and although some argue that we should not limit our understanding of racism to what the dictionaries say, it is nevertheless a good place to start.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, racism is “the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or (other) races”.
“Armed” with such a belief, a person might discriminate, show prejudice, against, or is antagonistic towards, someone of another race. In those instances, such a person would be deemed a racist.
Based on this definition, to describe the people of a certain race as inherently “lazy”, “avaricious”, or “stupid” would be racist.
But let’s not confine ourselves to only negative descriptions. What of a race being “hard-working”, “generous”, or “intelligent”?
By and large, most people, if not all, are fine if they are said to belong to a group regarded as possessing commendable qualities and characteristics.
We are indignant when we are viewed in the most unflattering terms but are more than happy to acknowledge glowing praise, the opposing descriptions being technically racist notwithstanding.
Such are people. This, however, does not mean that we should leave racism alone and excuse it as being part of human nature.
Racism can lead to disruptive and destructive actions such as bias, discrimination, homicide and genocide.
Across the world, racial discrimination is probably the primary issue in ethnic relations.
Even in supposedly homogenous societies, claims or allegations of racial discrimination do arise, usually among minorities as these groups of people, whether native or immigrant, exist in many countries.
But again, similar to racist descriptions, there is racial discrimination that is viewed in a positive light, though this is not uncontested.
Such racial discrimination is often described as “positive discrimination”, and they primarily come in the form of affirmative action policies.
There are affirmative action policies in quite a few countries and most are aimed at improving the well-being of specific groups of people, including ethnic minorities and women.
Interestingly, there are some countries that ban affirmative action altogether, regarding it as unacceptable racial discrimination.
In the United States, affirmative action policies are argued as being necessary to increase the representation of groups such as ethnic minorities in employment, education and business from which they have been historically excluded.
The justification of previous exclusion (and therefore being disadvantaged) can be seen in most, if not all of the affirmative action policies that are in place in the various countries.
Nowhere is affirmative action aimed at aiding ethnic minorities for the sake of aiding them. This is only logical as it would make no sense to give an advantage to groups that are not disadvantaged.
Historical exclusion is also used as justification for the New Economic Policy and privileges accorded to Bumiputeras under our Constitution.
They constitute attempts to redress imbalances, some would say injustices, that resulted in societal disharmony and instability.
In this regard, few Malaysians would disagree.
Today, there is a raging debate going on in our country on whether we should continue with such policies or do away with them.
As always, it has become emotional.
We need to approach the issue objectively, and both sides of the divide need to state their case rationally.
So far, all we have had are general pronouncements that are, at best, supported by assumptions and anecdotal evidence.
We need to go back to the justification behind the policies, and argue based on the facts on the ground.
To label this person or that position as racist, which is what we have descended to, does not solve anything.
We have a choice: to discuss things in a mature manner and make the necessary decisions that will allow us to move forward, or remain paralysed by what is ultimately infantile and primitive behaviour.
Raslan Sharif wants to see his kids live their adult lives in a dynamic and successful nation. So far, it looks like wishful thinking.
WHY NOT? By RASLAN SHARIF
Public debate on race and rights has descended into a shouting and slanging match. We need to approach the issue objectively, with all stating their case rationally.
HANG on to your seats; this might get a tad uncomfortable. Probably everyone in this country has a story or two to tell about their encounters with racism. And I wouldn’t be surprised if of late, there has been an urge for you to relate your experience.
It is after all, in keeping with the times, which has seen a blooming of debates, discussions, claims, allegations, counter-claims and counter-allegations that you and I have had the “privilege” to follow in our newspapers, and online through social media platforms such as Twitter and blogs.
HANG on to your seats; this might get a tad uncomfortable. Probably everyone in this country has a story or two to tell about their encounters with racism. And I wouldn’t be surprised if of late, there has been an urge for you to relate your experience.
It is after all, in keeping with the times, which has seen a blooming of debates, discussions, claims, allegations, counter-claims and counter-allegations that you and I have had the “privilege” to follow in our newspapers, and online through social media platforms such as Twitter and blogs.
It has been a rip-roaring read so far, as one party rips into another while the other side roars back in defiance and indignity, and vice-versa.
It is one hell of a rollercoaster ride that is not for the faint-hearted; the end is not yet in sight, if it is at all coming.
The kid gloves have not only been removed, they seem to have been consigned to the dustbin. And it does not look like anyone wants to put them back on.
But first, as someone on Twitter suggested, let us ask ourselves what racism is.
There are several definitions in the dictionaries, and although some argue that we should not limit our understanding of racism to what the dictionaries say, it is nevertheless a good place to start.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, racism is “the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or (other) races”.
“Armed” with such a belief, a person might discriminate, show prejudice, against, or is antagonistic towards, someone of another race. In those instances, such a person would be deemed a racist.
Based on this definition, to describe the people of a certain race as inherently “lazy”, “avaricious”, or “stupid” would be racist.
But let’s not confine ourselves to only negative descriptions. What of a race being “hard-working”, “generous”, or “intelligent”?
By and large, most people, if not all, are fine if they are said to belong to a group regarded as possessing commendable qualities and characteristics.
We are indignant when we are viewed in the most unflattering terms but are more than happy to acknowledge glowing praise, the opposing descriptions being technically racist notwithstanding.
Such are people. This, however, does not mean that we should leave racism alone and excuse it as being part of human nature.
Racism can lead to disruptive and destructive actions such as bias, discrimination, homicide and genocide.
Across the world, racial discrimination is probably the primary issue in ethnic relations.
Even in supposedly homogenous societies, claims or allegations of racial discrimination do arise, usually among minorities as these groups of people, whether native or immigrant, exist in many countries.
But again, similar to racist descriptions, there is racial discrimination that is viewed in a positive light, though this is not uncontested.
Such racial discrimination is often described as “positive discrimination”, and they primarily come in the form of affirmative action policies.
There are affirmative action policies in quite a few countries and most are aimed at improving the well-being of specific groups of people, including ethnic minorities and women.
Interestingly, there are some countries that ban affirmative action altogether, regarding it as unacceptable racial discrimination.
In the United States, affirmative action policies are argued as being necessary to increase the representation of groups such as ethnic minorities in employment, education and business from which they have been historically excluded.
The justification of previous exclusion (and therefore being disadvantaged) can be seen in most, if not all of the affirmative action policies that are in place in the various countries.
Nowhere is affirmative action aimed at aiding ethnic minorities for the sake of aiding them. This is only logical as it would make no sense to give an advantage to groups that are not disadvantaged.
Historical exclusion is also used as justification for the New Economic Policy and privileges accorded to Bumiputeras under our Constitution.
They constitute attempts to redress imbalances, some would say injustices, that resulted in societal disharmony and instability.
In this regard, few Malaysians would disagree.
Today, there is a raging debate going on in our country on whether we should continue with such policies or do away with them.
As always, it has become emotional.
We need to approach the issue objectively, and both sides of the divide need to state their case rationally.
So far, all we have had are general pronouncements that are, at best, supported by assumptions and anecdotal evidence.
We need to go back to the justification behind the policies, and argue based on the facts on the ground.
To label this person or that position as racist, which is what we have descended to, does not solve anything.
We have a choice: to discuss things in a mature manner and make the necessary decisions that will allow us to move forward, or remain paralysed by what is ultimately infantile and primitive behaviour.
Raslan Sharif wants to see his kids live their adult lives in a dynamic and successful nation. So far, it looks like wishful thinking.
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