7 sins of racial chauvinism

[Zomi Center]

THE race debate is getting hot again with several politicians accusing each other of being “racist” and there were even calls for the Internal Security Act to be used. Some leaders are also suggesting a tit-for-tat approach, purportedly to defend the rights of their community. Many others have also joined in the fray, especially on the Internet where anonymity can be better assured on a subject matter (race) which has been considered taboo for a long time.

There have been many terms used to describe the ethnic discord in our country and often they are confusing as few people have defined these terms or explained what they really mean. Sometimes, the politicians can argue till the cows come home and later realise that they can actually agree more with each other if not for the misunderstanding of the terms used. Let’s define the terms and call a spade a spade so that at least we can agree to disagree.

Racism in its original meaning does not exist in Malaysia. Racism is more defined by a blatant and systematic form of oppression by one race against another and was exemplified by the discrimination against black people in general (starting from the slave trade) by white people.

In more recent history, racism was manifested in the ill-treatment of coloured immigrants in post-war Europe, by the struggle of black leaders such as Martin Luther King in the US and most blatantly, in the late apartheid regime of South Africa. Another form of racism being practised is by the Zionist regime in Israel where there is a systematic oppression and discrimination of Palestinians.

Many people still prefer to use the stronger and punchier word “racist” as a general term to describe anyone who shows any racial prejudice or even distrust of another race but it’s not strictly correct here unless it is done in a system where there is some kind of systematic oppression against the race/s being targeted. The common misuse of such terms shows a lack of understanding about racism and racial chauvinism.

Making a slur, taking a superior attitude or holding distrust against another race, in a system where there is no clear cut systematic racial oppression, is better described as racialism or racial chauvinism rather than racism.

Supporting affirmative actions based on need and speaking out for and defending the basic rights and interests of an ethnic community is not racial chauvinism; as long as such actions do not entail denying such rights from or blaming or attacking or disparaging another ethnic community which has played no role in oppressing the other ethnic community.

So what exactly is racialism or racial chauvinism? There are seven main “ingredients” for someone to qualify as a racialist or racial chauvinist and they are:

> taking an arrogant, bigoted or superior attitude against another race;
> making racial slurs or degrading or insulting remarks against another race;
> attacking or calling for the denial of the basic rights of another race;
> holding an illogical distrust of another race;
> preaching forced assimilation over other cultures rather than voluntary integration;
> falsely blaming other race/s for the problems of his/her ethnic community; and
> falsely portraying other race/s as a threat to his/her ethnic community.

Before a politician starts accusing another of being a “racist” (or rather “racial chauvinist”), he should examine if any of the above “seven deadly sins” of racialism has been committed by the other party or himself.

Racial chauvinism can be as serious and destructive as racism and it is an evil lurking in the dark side of our political scene. It is the number one enemy and threat to the concept of 1Malaysia initiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak. Racial chauvinism needs to be tackled and addressed continuously if we are serious about moving forward towards social integration, unity and harmony.

The 1Malaysia concept offers great hope for our diverse and multi-ethnic society and even most federal opposition leaders do not challenge it, although they may question the sincerity of the government in implementing it and the origins of the concept.

A good idea is a good idea and it does not matter where it comes from. It is more pertinent and urgent to close ranks to address a major social issue affecting the people than to gain political credit for it. As long as the government is prepared to move forward in a positive manner to achieve the vision of 1Malaysia, it should be supported by all people across the racial, religious and political divides.

Since all political parties in Malaysia have professed in one way or another an anti-racialist position, there should be a basic and common platform of principles on race and ethnicity which all the parties can adhere to with strict discipline. Signing on such a public declaration (against racial chauvinism and for national unity) can also discourage many politicians from playing the race card as the temptations to do so for political expediency are often great. There should also be an important principle that all political parties must steadily move away from being race-based to being multi-ethnic.

If all our political parties could close ranks and vote unanimously in Parliament in support of the resolution condemning the attacks by the Zionist regime against the Freedom Flotilla heading to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, why can’t they all agree on a basic common platform to deal with a major social malaise dividing our society for so long?

The race declaration can also filter out and identify racial chauvinists of all shades and kinds who are “hiding” in all political parties. The aim is to expose, discredit and therefore neutralise the ideas of such elements. It is more important to attack wrong and bad ideas than to target or intimidate such people personally as the public of all races would be better educated on the evils of racial chauvinism.

Unless racial chauvinists have resorted to violence or other criminal activities, we should allow such people (who may have been influenced negatively or misled in the past) to change for the better. We should also not take for granted that most people should know that racialism is wrong and “let nature run its course”. There is an urgent need for good and comprehensive arguments and public education against racialism and on why it is a social disease that can harm all races and the economic development of our country. (The SunDaily)