When I have spare time, I read thru some silly debates that take place in one of the mailing lists I joined.
The debates are not worth participating, but I am quite interested to express my thought on certain stuff.
"Indon"- due to the origin of the word, 'indon' (short form of Indonesian) is deemed offensive. many Indonesians are unhappy being called indon and make noise.
Well.. I am one of those who don't bother. Why?
I grew up getting used to be YELLED AT, 'Oi Cina, Cina!'.
Do you see us Indonesian Chinese getting mad and post our concern in all the forums?
No.. we choose to focus on getting better.
though originally 'indon' had that bad meaning, when Singaporean call us indon, they simply call us that because they assume that's the right word (and i believe it sounds more natural to them, compared to 'indo'). because the word 'indonesian' also ends with 'n'.
but when our fellow Indonesian call us 'Cina'?
it's not what you say, but your intention behind the word.
many less educated indonesian would call black people, 'orang negro', but they have no ill intention. definitely not the way western call the black 'nigger'.
well my point is.. we are often missing the point.
just like how we always say that 'Christmas is not about decoration, santa, tree, gifts, and shopping'.
but have we considered the point that 'Jesus is not about Christmas'?
Jesus is all about the old rugged cross and the empty tomb.
But surely that doesn't sound as sweet as Christmas =)
The debates are not worth participating, but I am quite interested to express my thought on certain stuff.
"Indon"- due to the origin of the word, 'indon' (short form of Indonesian) is deemed offensive. many Indonesians are unhappy being called indon and make noise.
Well.. I am one of those who don't bother. Why?
I grew up getting used to be YELLED AT, 'Oi Cina, Cina!'.
Do you see us Indonesian Chinese getting mad and post our concern in all the forums?
No.. we choose to focus on getting better.
though originally 'indon' had that bad meaning, when Singaporean call us indon, they simply call us that because they assume that's the right word (and i believe it sounds more natural to them, compared to 'indo'). because the word 'indonesian' also ends with 'n'.
but when our fellow Indonesian call us 'Cina'?
it's not what you say, but your intention behind the word.
many less educated indonesian would call black people, 'orang negro', but they have no ill intention. definitely not the way western call the black 'nigger'.
well my point is.. we are often missing the point.
just like how we always say that 'Christmas is not about decoration, santa, tree, gifts, and shopping'.
but have we considered the point that 'Jesus is not about Christmas'?
Jesus is all about the old rugged cross and the empty tomb.
But surely that doesn't sound as sweet as Christmas =)
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