Malaysia & the US: race and race relations

COMMENTARY RESPONSE to "My Point Exactly"

by carol g, Nov 6 2008

On the topic of race and race-relations -- I agree with Karina that Obama's victory has been a hugely significant in breaking the racialized glass ceiling. And a monumental step forward and likely, source of healing, for the African American community here in the US. And yes, I suppose, a pretty significant, albeit, perhaps superficial (for some) -- progress on the part of white and non-black people of color (hell yes! even these/us? folk!! have internalized all the racism that poisons our minds), who actually voted for Obama for his Anti-Bush political stance and steady character, not his race or color.

The US population has been craving some level of intellectual, rational, humane, thoughtful, measured, transparent and communicative leadership --

(not to mention, for some of us here anyway, -- an anti-imperialist leader). Someone who is willing and able to listen. And who has some sense of who and what the rest of the world is -- (and is able to actually pronounce names of countries! and non-Western names, accurately! haha!)

And, we hope to goodness -- that Obama will make good on all of these characteristics. And that way restore, revive, and consider, the US public's participation in civic and political life. He's got a lot to deliver, a LOT - no doubt – mostly damage control. A huge inherited mess to correct. Can he do it? Can anyone? Remains to be seen....I think at least, if nothing else, he will offer the public transparency and has rejuvenated the belief and drive for public participation to hold government accountable again.

Back on the race thing -- My fear tho -- with his election into highest office -- will result in especially white folks, especially liberal, left leaning white folks or those holding privilege, to actually believe that racism has diminished or ended, with a black man as President. And will rest on their laurels and pat themselves on the back for being so open minded and progressive.....and thus absolve themselves any responsibility for racism that continues to run deep in our families, social structures and institutions, through the media.

In fact one of the CNN pundits declared that "no black person should come whining and claim that racism has acted as a barrier in their back in life -- now that the American (sic) public has spoken for Obama and a black man holds the highest power in the country".

Malaysia too has a huge long way to go in terms of figuring out how, on a very basic level to even discuss race, race relations and racism (not to mention all the other social injustices - around class, color, religion, heterosexism, xenophobia....). We have such an odd, unexamined, often taboo or unspoken set of rules and accepted attitudes about race and class -- despite the fact that it has and continues to so blatantly play out in front of us each and every day in many of our lives. The derogatory terms used to describe each of our races, the scapegoating of immigrants (taken over the role of Indians now, I s'pose....), the bullying of certain children in school, the outrage and disowning of children when they date or marry outside of their race. Those terrible dehumanizing, even violent words people use to refer to someone's color, or ethnicity or nationality, call each other and that children mimic from their parents and then internalize as their own.

All these have really rarely been challenged to really have open public discourse on the dismal state of racism that is rife in private and public Malaysian life. Geez - I'm sure there's no shortage of hearing one's own friends and family members spewing this kind of rhetoric....that perhaps masks our deep frustration with our socio-political condition and continues to segregate us from each other.

Not to mention the utter lack of freedom of expression - to openly address the ethics of racial or religious supremacy that is part of the political fabric of our nation.

I'm not sure that Malaysia can ever reach a state of governmental or social equity that truly values human rights and the equality of all beings let alone dream of a time where our country embraces a national leader of who is biracial or of any race -- if we don't do the work of really, openly addressing and struggling as a community (perhaps, much like the civil rights struggle or the anti-apartheid movement, or a stonewall) to define who we value as citizens, and to whom we afford human and civil rights.

Without that collective, united struggle that all races of people own (and own up to being responsible for)-- I can't see that the fundamentals of racism in Malaysian society will even begin to be purged. Nor then, its deep-tangled linkages and maintenance of who owns and controls the economy and shapes the policies of our nation.....of a time when any Malaysian, brown, yellow or hitam manis - stands a chance of becoming prime minister....

c~