RACE-FREE FORM – headlines of Star, Wednesday, 19 August 2009. ‘People will no longer need to state their race in official forms soon.
Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyuddin Yassin, said the Cabinet was studying a move to do away with the requirement.
He said there was a need to stop looking at Malaysians from the perspective of race. The decision was immediately welcomed by people from all communities.’
We must pray earnestly to God the Father of Jesus Christ that one day, the headlines of the local press will read : RELIGION-FREE FORM. Then people will no longer have to state their religion in official forms. The Deputy Prime Minister of the day (he or she from BN or PR?!) will say that there was a need to stop looking at Malaysians from the perspective of race or religion.
August 24th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
In some ways, this move could be used by the devil to sanction the slow but painful introduction and evolution over time of the melting-pot syndrome, where no one acknowledges the positive dynamic of God-given variety amongst the human population, setting into motion a “who cares” mentality when it comes to appreciating cultural difference.
The assimilation tactics of Satan are often deceptive whereby he will attempt to trick people into believing some change is for the better because on the surface it looks to be somehow assisting the transition from “a society based on discrimination” to “one devoid of discrimination”. There are probably many more culturally and spiritually sustainable ways of preventing and stamping out discrimination in society without pushing a “disconnect from the issue” line or pattern when it comes to acknowledging the variation in race or spiritual tradition.
The more we are either reminded of our culture and spirituality OR are given the opportunity to tell others of it (no matter how small or insignificant this may seem), the more connected we will remain to the purpose of our existance here on this planet. The truth is, making people forget their culture or spirituality is right up the devil’s alley for he wants nothing other than people to suspend all dialogue and activity over such matters so that he can make them become luke-warm if not apathetic to God’s purposes for liberation and this includes cultural liberation and true spiritual freedom.
Forget these matters, become dull and eventually deadened to their significance, and you’ll end up with a society full of dreary drones getting all their excitement from the latest x-box craze or commercially popularized way to excite the senses into getting right into what’s new, what’s cool, and what’s hot! Becoming more secularized, even in the most seemingly mundane of ways is one thing that diminishes the significance of cultural colours in society at large and generally replaces it with an overarching emphasis on commercial satiation of cravings and desires that stem from fleshly pursuits such as hording of material possessions and an unhealthy obsession with money-making.
This is more able to happen where there is lack of attention given to the positive recognition of cultural and spiritual variety as contributing something sustainable to social cohesion and change for the better in ways that affirm difference as creatively valuable rather than a social negative to be silently put to death!
August 25th, 2009 at 7:34 am
I trust we will cross that bridge when we reach it.
Right now, the more immediate context is that ethnic, religious and cultural differences are used to justify violence and oppression. This is what needs to be challenged first. Celebrating our God-given cultural diversity is important but challenging institutionalised racism has priority at the moment.
August 26th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
the danger lurks somewhere within and out there all the time: that by the time the bridge is reached, it is already uncrossable because it is wrecked and eyes and ears, and hearts and minds are comfortably submerged beneath the waters of apathy, unpreparedness, political correctness, playing into the popular but empty card or vote, pushing it under the carpet, lack of vision, joining in the fray of the grabbing mentality of the world…..
is it too early to ponder ? thanks siuyin, there is a lot of food for thought and discussion…with God’s leading and counsel
August 28th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
I don’t think we can really challenge institutionalised racism without first taking our God-given cultural diversity equally seriously.
August 30th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
amen to…’equally seriously’ .
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Found a thought provoking piece here that explores further the theme that Siuyin posits:
Why Christians Can’t Be Post-Racial
Christian Existence in the Murky Waters of Race and Place
September 5th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
It’s great to say “Amen” to the Lord for each other, hey! Mutual encouragement is the spice of life! Thanks for that recommendation Bob – a very full spectrum peice of writing on the subject with many twists and turns. I felt compelled by my conscience to submit a reply to this article. For those interested, just go to the link posted above.
September 7th, 2009 at 5:33 am
BTW .. The Other Journal is one of the earlier inspirations of what eventually is now The Micah Mandate’s web zine
On a related tangent, you (Siuyin) should consider writing some editorial length pieces for TMM. You do have some interesting insights to offer as an expatriate Christian with Malaysian cultural roots.
September 8th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
TOJ’s pretty informative – I am glad to see it does more than just present a shallow perspective on the way things are unfolding in the world around us. I also think TMM does well in extending the coverage. Appreciate your suggestion – when I become a little more familiar with the site, how to’s, links and what have you, I’ll probably contribute something along those lines.