Do you ever encounter any personal problem with the Malays, Indians or Chinese? Perhaps because they are richer than you or doing better compare to you? Instead of working hard to improve your life’s condition or looking at the bigger picture of our complex socio-economy, it is more convenient to put the blame on the other race.
There is a reason why people say the past is a lesson for the future, but if we keep on repeating the same cycle, Malaysia’s Vision 2020 will be just a dream.
Take a moment, stop at whatever you are doing now. Think about your childhood memories, your friends of multiracial backgrounds, the games you played together with them and the food you shared with them. You will have deeper gratitude and appreciation towards the diversity and peace to the country, I believe problems do exist among society of different races and religions, in fact there are other countries that have larger problems of race relations among their people.
Gratefully, Malaysians are not close to there, I believe if we stand united and respect each other in each and every day of our lives, Malaysia will be a unique and special nation in our hearts.
I grew up surrounded by loving friends and peers. I love happy endings; regardless of any political issues happening in this country, I do not stereotype the race of my friends.
Honestly, it’s foolish.
Martin Luther King Jr. once said “Don’t judge people by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character”. I think diversity is beautiful, I mean what is life like if all of us are born with the same culture, race, religion, and even the same DNA makeup? Or hanging out and speaking to the same people the rest of our lives? Life must have been boring then.
We ought to appreciate being born and raised at Malaysia, I mean look around us. Different culture, diversity of food, languages, and religion. I believe all gods or god may have different names but the content of its teaching is the same – which is about love, respect and peace.
As for me – I do not consider myself as merely a Malay, Chinese or an Indian. I’m a Malaysian.
Where I grew up in this multiracial neighborhood, we use to have gatherings among our neighbours for every festival. I was a young boy, although I didn’t know the purpose of they doing so, I didn’t question them because seeing everyone happy and laughing, I thought this is something great and it gave a sense of community and togetherness. The bond between neighbours shared despite the different races, is like the feeling of being in a large, close-knitted family and you want to keep this bond go on forever.
Every year during Deepavali, my dad won’t miss the chance of inviting other neighbours for open house celebration. The neighbours and my family would be busy sharing their lives stories and indulge in heavenly delicious food prepared by my mother. While my siblings, my friends and I would be playing crackers, laughing and jumping around. It may seem as something simple by the way I described it, but the feeling is of pure joy and happiness.
We don’t need to have a big house, expensive cars, or a lot of savings in the bank. If you ask me, it is more meaningful to have a wise mindset, an open heart, and a wide smile, so that we can together spread the seeds of peace rather than problem. Sometimes, before we can pinpoint the mistakes of others, let’s take a moment to mirror ourselves. Nobody is born perfect. Mistakes will make us learn and become a wiser, better person for the society.
Our multicultural country is our greatest treasure, it is time for us to appreciate Malaysia and put our efforts at nation-building for the sake of the future generation.
Happy Deepavali!
