Off.the.Record

Ethnic Minority, Identity, and Chinese Indonesian
28.3.07

May I ask you a question? Which ethnic are you belong to? :)

Don't be upset with the question above, I'm not such a racist moron, asking around this question. I don't know why, but I've been interested in this matter since my last summer holiday. On top of all that, this is one of the topics in my Asian Studies class.

Just a brief summary, I might define ethnicity as a group of people who shares same culture, same language, and it may have a similar way of living. Ethnic groups may fall into different categories, depending on how you define it. Let's say, you see people based on the race, you might be thinking that Chinese from mainland China and those who live outside the country are just the same, one ethnic. However you might ignore the fact that they speak different languages.

Anyways, I'm Indonesian Chinese. I'm from the most crowded island in Indonesia, which is Java. And I won't address myself as a Javanese, cos I'm in no way look like them. And if you ask me, where my ancestors come from. I know my parent told me, my dad family spoke Hakka dialect(which I don't know where it's from), and mom side is from Fujian.

Ok. So the point is.. I am studying this ethnicity issue in Asia. How one ethnic is different to others, and also about the minority ethnics, are they being disadvantaged or not, etc.

I just find this interesting, especially when I look at my own country^^.

Indonesia has the biggest number of ethnic groups in the world. It's more than 1,000 ethnic groups, accounting for 1/6 of the total ethnics in the world.　With Javanese as the first major ethnic, the number of minorites in Indonesia still exceeds the number of Javanese people. I don't know it should be a pride or not, because actually when you look into the living society, we have huge problems regarding ethnicity issue.

I'll give you an example, one out of hundreds of problems. Chinese Indonesian! It's probably a cliche, but, anyway.. If you ask this question to them, "你是哪国人?" Ask them in Chinese. They can say "I'm Indonesian", or may be "Saya orang Indonesia". But it's just difficult for them to say "我是印尼人"。

Well, I believe it's just the matter of losing an identity. It results from past experiences. The Chinese Indonesians have been treated unfairly in education, government policy, and many others. The Government made everything difficult for them. For example, in terms of work, they generally had no choice other than opening up their own business.

Wondering the reason, there is no surprise they can't admit they are 'Indonesian'. They would say "I am Indonesian" WITH an extra information "ethnic Chinese" in the end. It's a bit strange, I reckon. Here in Australia I found that they didn't say "Indonesian Chinese" (in English), however, in indonesia they indeed said that 印尼华人 (in Chinese), 'cos they definitely can't say they are Chinese (中国人). They neither live nor were born in China.

I realized Indonesian Chinese want to be seen as 'different', since they were treated differently. In one way, they were forced to accept the idea of unity. On the other hand, they didn't get the basic need to be admitted as the way they were.

Nevertheless, the good news is... the situation is slightly different now. It's getting better. Since the Government no longer banned Chinese characters, and decided Chinese new year become a national holiday, Chinese Indonesians feel being 'more accepted' as an ethnic minority.

A good indication, I suppose. Even though it's still a long way to go to 'heal the pain' from the past, slowly but surely, they will proudly say,"我们是印尼人".

Okay, so that's just one of many examples. I can't write anymore since I might use lots of space. And also, sorry for such a heavy topic. Gomen ne minnasan. Got to go now^^!!

Labels: Heavy Topic, Random Thoughts

Annice @ 10:34 am
God loves you always
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Adon Rocks!!!
25.3.07

Blessed. Yap, indeed I'm blessed to see his performances.

For you who don't know who Adon is... He is an Indonesian Christian singer. He was actually a vocalist of one Indoesian group band, called Base Jam. But then, I guess, he is now focusing on serving God by his music.

Well, what I wanna say... It was a super duper great performance. I could just feel the emotion within the song. And it's trueee, he was telling his story of seven-year life without God. And I'm so touched by how God brought him back to His right way.

Anyways, one song (I hope I will have uploaded in my blog by the time I post this entry) is about the salvation that Jesus has given for FREE (no fee applicable :P). From the beginning til the end, it is just arranged nicely. Oh... I love this song.

Yap, yap..I got his autograph and a picture with him as well. I'm waiting for my friend to send the pic to me. Arghhh... my name is written there!!! ^^

Btw, for an extra information, he's such a low-profile guy. I heard that he helped roll up the cable. Can you believe that? If I were him, I would probably be busy giving my autographs =P

Okay, gtg. I will update soon, once I get the pic.

Labels: Annice Life, Music

Annice @ 4:24 pm
God loves you always
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Random One
23.3.07

Long time no blog. It's been a month. Okay, that's simply becos my busy timetable (cieilehhh^^)...yap, seriously, I'm quite busy this semester.

Update from me. Let me do it in bullet points^^--->random.
~ Starting from my course, I'm doing third-year Chinese unit, Japanese, a compulsory unit for asian studies, and PR technique.

~ I love my Japanese unit.
My 先生(read:sensei) has been working so hard to make 'language partner' program possible. Everyone in my Japanese class has 1-2 language partner, definitely we pair up with Japanese. And...we're supposed to spend 1 hour in a week with them talking in JAPANESE, and the funniest thing is we must get their signature on the sheet, give that to sensei, and sensei will be happy^^.

~ It seems that I was given choices, and choices, these past few weeks.
Okay, one was my JOB, to give it up or not. Struggling for an answer >.<, I've decided to remain working there. And another one...mmm censored^^, I know my decision, it's just I don't know how to deal with it.

~ Mm.. I'm commited to be more 'looking for God's will in me', i.e. closer to Him.
Indonesian says 'abis-abisan deh'. Haha.. Yap, and.. it's not because I want to be nutty or may be holy-looking girl..No! Believe me, I've got my own reason to do so.

~ I'm thankful for my life now. I just feel, and believe it's true, that God has given me the best people surrounding me. When I think of the first time I know Him, it's just too much to call everything a coincidence. It's just..I feel even though Perth is super boring, I've got the best in me. I'm meant to be here (:

~ I'm also thinking about chances of getting student exchange to Japan.
I was told that international students were also eligible to get it (not only locals). And the good thing is... scholarship is available, even though it's very few.

~ Last but not least, I'm struggling with PR unit. It's just hard to write news in english. I mean...it's not my first language. That's what I always complain about. And, I've been living here for only one and half year... Arghh...okay, stop blabbering, annice. Wake up!!!

Labels: Annice Life

Annice @ 10:07 am
God loves you always
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because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God - Romans 8:14