A lot of us like to share feel-good stories about seeming cooperation and tolerance, or acts of goodwill, involving people from various races. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, it can be an extremely positive thing: if we are too mired in negativity , we may forget that there are genuinely nice and kind human beings all around us, and that we experience these acts on a regular basis.
At the same time, some of those who wish to believe that their societies are harmonious and tolerant find it difficult to accept that racism does indeed exist, or even, that they themselves are racists. Too many times I have seen people justifying their palpably chauvinistic stances via what they think is “reasoned” argumentation.
“Calling an Indian apuneneh is not racist, it is just a term of endearment.”
“Saying ‘keling’ is not wrong, it has historical roots.”
“It was just a joke, don’t be so sensitive.”
“How is saying that Malays make good barbers and security guards racist; I joke like that with my Malay friends all the time.”
“Believing that Malays are lazy is not necessarily racist; that is just stating a fact.”
Next time, I hear some smart alec making a racist comment, I may just be tempted to slap the person and then say:
‘Don’t be so sensitive, i am just playing.’
‘This is my way of showing endearment to you.’
‘I do this to my friends all the time!’
Racism will continue to exist, as long as we allow it to, and as long as it remains unchallenged. Whether mainfested in ‘jokes’, words or actions.
Source: Walid J. Abdullah
