I salute you for yet another stunning performance. And when I said stunning, I meant the honourable members were stunned. They just stood, one was constantly smiling, and (I'm sure) tried really hard not to explode. One might ask, what happened?
This time, a slap right on their faces. Yes, finally some people had the nerves to show these useless scums that they are no more than useless scums who happily take taxpayers' money to make useless overseas visits with their families under the pretext of doing a comparative study. The Indonesian student association (PPI) in Germany used a Q&A session during a meeting with the members of Commission I of the House as a chance to directly criticise these politicians and stated their objection over their visit. In the end of their harsh speech, they walked out of the room quietly and the meeting was continued as if nothing happened. Poor KBRI's host. She had to pretend she didn't hear all those insults coming from one of the students. Everything was video-tapped and uploaded to YouTube for everyone in the country (and world) to see. It quickly became the main topic on different social media, and of course the media picked up soon afterwards (note: I may well be wrong with the sequence, but nevertheless the end result is the same).
Now, let's just say, this similar situation happened when internet and social media were not so popular in Indonesia, would it get the same strong reaction? Since the student association smartly uploaded the video of the meeting on YouTube, lots of people picked this story up really fast and then spread it on an equal speed. And amen for internet. How strong is the impact of social media on Indonesia's democracy (I would advise anyone who reads this post to tread the word "democracy" carefully before abusing me with criticism)? How effective social media as a medium to create a better change in Indonesia's social and/or political life?
I honestly hope the current hype will change something. At least, I hope, the House would try hard to fulfil the student association's demands. One of them is transparency. The students asked for the House to publish a complete financial report of the visit and also a full report of the visit's results. I think it's fair, considering it, allegedly, is a comparative study-visit. They should study something and report the finding(s) and do something with their findings. You know, like any normal people do when they do a comparative study. But, my hope is not high on this matter. You see, I used to work for these people. I know how they roll, and I believe they won't do anything about the students' action. They were mortified, I'm sure. But, will that change anything? I doubt it.
I'm not trying to belittle the PPI's action at all. I appreciate their courage. There aren't many people who would do such thing, especially when it comes to the honourable members of the House. On their turf, these dudes are GODS. They are invisible. So, watching the video, looking at the expression on the House members' faces, feels great. Though, this is not the first time the House got heavily criticised by students from PPI. The PPI in Australia criticised the reason of the visit done by Commission VII in April 2011. Basically, the House members went there to do a comparative study on policies on poor people (or unlucky Australians, as the equivalent) management. However, the House members visited the country during recess period. Yes, it's beyond understanding. If you are interested, you can read the PPI's open letter to the House here and also their evaluation on the visit here.
We need to continue telling these people that they cannot do whatever they please just because they occupy an office in the government. If they are representing people, they need to start doing it now. As long as there are people like members of PPI in Germany and Australia, we can still be hopeful that maybe, just maybe, one day this country truly understands the meaning of democracy and people's representatives.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Moving back to my parents' house...yay.
I have stopped working full-time after three years working in an office (or two). I have gone back to my parents' new house and settled in. My parents recently decided to move to a new house leaving the old house to be leased to other people. I finally unpacked my stuff after three weeks staying in the house. It was a long and slow process. Somehow, I couldn't see the room that I slept in as my own room. But, the fact started to sink in and I knew it would be ridiculous to keep my stuff in different boxes scattered all over the house.
After the first three weeks, I started to question myself a lot. Did I make the right decision with coming back home? Would it be better if I stayed in Jakarta and took that job offer (I was not interested in the job at all)? I wasn't feeling comfortable with myself and was anxious about the future. Few of my friends said that the reaction was normal, but I must focus on the positive sides instead the depressing ones. Well, yeah of course.
And then I realised what kind of role that I took when I decided to move back. Apparently, my parents need a third-party to create some kind of balance in the household. Their children, I am the youngest, have been living away from them for quite a long period and the absence of children in the household seemed to increase the friction and tension between them. I've heard from my mum how my dad sometimes acted incredibly selfish, and often I would take my mum's side on this kind of situation. But after living with them for several weeks, I realised that the problems lay within the two of them. Soon, I found out that I was the new conflict manager in the house.
It's a bitter-sweet feeling to play and act according to this role. I love my parents to death, but dear god, they can drive me insane sometimes. I keep on reminding myself that people most of the time act childish anyway and it's (kinda) normal...whatever normal means. It's also a bit worrying to see the way my parents are depending too much on each other. It seems like they cannot function well if separated. At least, that's my evaluation on my dad. He's way too depended on my mum. God forbid if she passes before him...not that I want him to pass anytime soon.
On the bright side, it still surprises me to see how both parents seem to manage tolerate each other enough to stop them from starting a shouting fight. I know when they are upset with each other and my mum would tell me directly what happened, while my dad just sulked in front of the telly. But she would make him his afternoon coffee, and he would drink it without saying anything much. I just don't understand. Maybe it's love, maybe it's old habit.
So, it's not all bad. Moving back to ze parents' house can be seen as a defeat. I got a friend who seemed surprised (not in a good way) when she found out I was back home. She said something like Jakarta would give a lot of opportunities and offer different prospects to me, and she was shocked that I didn't get them. I told her that opportunity had never been the case. I was tired, fed up, terribly lonely and lost my perspective. Going home felt like a warm idea in my empty head (and heart). I have lots of really lovely friends who supported my moving back, both in Jakarta and my home town. They really made things seem so much better.
Back to home situation, I'm feeling a bit tired now, which leads me to writing this entry. Anyone who has dealt with conflict knows that it's never easy, especially when it involves two of the most important people in your life. It hasn't yet reached the crazy melt-down point, but I know I'm quite upset with the general situation at home. Although, I'm constantly reminding myself that it IS still probation time. Wait another two months, maybe I will pass the insanity and come out as a new (better) more-patient and reliable (ha!) person. I wish myself luck. Godspeed!
After the first three weeks, I started to question myself a lot. Did I make the right decision with coming back home? Would it be better if I stayed in Jakarta and took that job offer (I was not interested in the job at all)? I wasn't feeling comfortable with myself and was anxious about the future. Few of my friends said that the reaction was normal, but I must focus on the positive sides instead the depressing ones. Well, yeah of course.
And then I realised what kind of role that I took when I decided to move back. Apparently, my parents need a third-party to create some kind of balance in the household. Their children, I am the youngest, have been living away from them for quite a long period and the absence of children in the household seemed to increase the friction and tension between them. I've heard from my mum how my dad sometimes acted incredibly selfish, and often I would take my mum's side on this kind of situation. But after living with them for several weeks, I realised that the problems lay within the two of them. Soon, I found out that I was the new conflict manager in the house.
It's a bitter-sweet feeling to play and act according to this role. I love my parents to death, but dear god, they can drive me insane sometimes. I keep on reminding myself that people most of the time act childish anyway and it's (kinda) normal...whatever normal means. It's also a bit worrying to see the way my parents are depending too much on each other. It seems like they cannot function well if separated. At least, that's my evaluation on my dad. He's way too depended on my mum. God forbid if she passes before him...not that I want him to pass anytime soon.
On the bright side, it still surprises me to see how both parents seem to manage tolerate each other enough to stop them from starting a shouting fight. I know when they are upset with each other and my mum would tell me directly what happened, while my dad just sulked in front of the telly. But she would make him his afternoon coffee, and he would drink it without saying anything much. I just don't understand. Maybe it's love, maybe it's old habit.
So, it's not all bad. Moving back to ze parents' house can be seen as a defeat. I got a friend who seemed surprised (not in a good way) when she found out I was back home. She said something like Jakarta would give a lot of opportunities and offer different prospects to me, and she was shocked that I didn't get them. I told her that opportunity had never been the case. I was tired, fed up, terribly lonely and lost my perspective. Going home felt like a warm idea in my empty head (and heart). I have lots of really lovely friends who supported my moving back, both in Jakarta and my home town. They really made things seem so much better.
Back to home situation, I'm feeling a bit tired now, which leads me to writing this entry. Anyone who has dealt with conflict knows that it's never easy, especially when it involves two of the most important people in your life. It hasn't yet reached the crazy melt-down point, but I know I'm quite upset with the general situation at home. Although, I'm constantly reminding myself that it IS still probation time. Wait another two months, maybe I will pass the insanity and come out as a new (better) more-patient and reliable (ha!) person. I wish myself luck. Godspeed!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Anxious nation
dprku.comI have several times had the chance to experience the city train in Jakarta, or what we named as "kereta komuter" because people use the train to commute from Jakarta-Bogor and all of the other places that exist between Jakarta and Bogor. I used the train to go Depok when there wasn't kereta komuter available yet and another time with kereta komuter to an area called Lenteng Agung. The first trip was on an economy train with no AC and it was moderately full. Lots of people were trying to sell you some shit that you didn't need... the usual. Since I was traveling alone and a bit worried with local copet (pickpockets), I stood close to the door. It was open, of course. How could anyone breathe if it was closed? We'd be dead in 10 minutes. Anyway, standing close to the open door gave me a full access of outside view. It wasn't great. It's almost accepted as a normality to see slum areas close to any railways in Jakarta. And not only in Jakarta. Of course, when the president or other sleazy top government officials go for a train ride for some unknown reasons, the illegal settlements along the railway will magically disappear. And magically reappear maybe two weeks after.
The second trip to Lenteng Agung wasn't that much different. I took the commuter train, hoping I would have a bit humane trip to a punk community's house. It was air-conditioned, but since I left on rush hours, I was squashed by too many people in the train. It's clear that we need better public transportation. Referring to Vltchek's article, there have been too many abandoned plans for better infrastructure especially for improving public transportation in Jakarta. Can one still hope after seeing too many failures?
Vltchek, in his long article, said, "It feels that the entire nation, including its capital, gave up long time ago. People are living their lives in this monstrous megacity, not even bothering to demand, to protest or to complain." I reckon that's one of the hardest challenge faced by this nation. Just like the slum areas on the railways, does the government actually make a real action to improve the people's life? No, city officials will just destroy their shacks and temporary houses when it's time for an official visit. I don't know how the poor may think or feel about the way the government treats the poverty issue. Are they mad? Are they disappointed? Or maybe they just don't give a damn anymore and just find a way to survive today and tomorrow? Vltchek thought that Indonesian people, Jakarta people in particular, have given up all hope for any improvement. Is this true? If yes, I wish the predicted mega-flood in Jakarta would come sooner (and as I'm writing this, it's raining like crazy outside).
Maybe about a week ago, I went to a film festival. The opening movie titled Negeri Di Bawah Kabut tells how climate change changes the life of farmers in one village in Central Java. Related to what I have written so far, this movie shows me how poor Indonesian farmers are. Of course, I've known this fact for some time, but this movie kinda updated me on how still poor so many people in Indonesia are until this very day. They can't send their kids to school because they can't pay the "uniform" money, a compulsory for Indonesian students. Another form of government's idiocy and insensitivity addressing the country's problem.
Watching the movie was like a slap on the face. At least for me. I realised how maybe I don't value things like I should do. One million and three hundreds rupiah means another chance to plant the next batch of vegetables. One million and three hundred rupiah in Jakarta means you can't live in a rented room for a month and eat properly. Of course Jakarta and one remote village somewhere in Central Java IS different. It's the same money, yet it has different value.
Can Indonesia improve wholly? Will the government take care the poor and helpless just like what it's written in the constitutions? I honestly don't know. One friend even said too many people are fed up: It's better to think what one should do tomorrow at work than thinking about the country's problems. So, how will Indonesia and its people end up in the future if we all are fed up?
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Work crazy work
Humans cannot be satisfied. That's an old saying in this country. It's that nagging feeling saying that you are STILL not getting what you want.
I have this nagging feeling. I also see this in other people. I had been expecting a new job, a better payment and security. I got the job, better payment, still no security. But the bright side is I don't have to go to the office. I thought it was an advantage. Yes, it's so good that I don't have to come to the office and I can literally work from anywhere in the world. Like, in my friend's bedroom in KL for instance. But then, living a day to day of office-less situation, I found myself feeling quite mad. There's no one to talk to (directly, not computer chatting) or to observe or even to despise. I know I sound like I'm being ungrateful and lazy, because I still can have a "normal" social life even without an office life. True, but it's different.
Office interaction, strangely enough, gives me a feeling of attachment. Like I belong to something. I don't identify myself solely from where I work, but it's one of the things that identify me. Having none of that kinda confuses me. It's the transition of not having to "go" to work every morning. Because now, work is getting out of the bed and turning on my computer and internet. Even the office space offers me comfort. The spacious room, large windows... I have once mentioned about these things. It helps me feeling less confined when I have to go home to my little bleak room. The people can be super annoying, but I learn things from these annoying people. The simplest will be: how to be not annoying like these people.
A friend of mine was sharing the same thoughts. It's the new job in his case. He felt like he had traded his simple easy working life with a chaotic busy yet interesting new work which pays better to. He sighed and told me that he had been questioning the reason why he took the new job. And I laughed and told him that's exactly what I had in mind about my choice.
I'm sure lots of people want to be in my shoes right now, job wise. Not actual shoes, they are quite small. I would love to be in my shoes as well, say, if I were a different person. But I guess I cannot be really satisfied with what I have at the moment. Not that I'm being ungrateful. Yes, I'm glad I took this job. But, if only it can be a tiny bit better...
My questions are (to myself): to what extend? Isn't there any boundaries? Should I make those boundaries? Should I stop expecting more at some point in the future and just feel contend? How can I achieve that, if it's achievable? Or, sod it, I'm human it's normal to always want more in life?
Then again, if I looked back, I was okay when I was staying with my friend. It felt a bit weird having to work and holiday at the same time, but it worked. Maybe that's what I need. A companion? Oh damn, I am getting old.
I have this nagging feeling. I also see this in other people. I had been expecting a new job, a better payment and security. I got the job, better payment, still no security. But the bright side is I don't have to go to the office. I thought it was an advantage. Yes, it's so good that I don't have to come to the office and I can literally work from anywhere in the world. Like, in my friend's bedroom in KL for instance. But then, living a day to day of office-less situation, I found myself feeling quite mad. There's no one to talk to (directly, not computer chatting) or to observe or even to despise. I know I sound like I'm being ungrateful and lazy, because I still can have a "normal" social life even without an office life. True, but it's different.
Office interaction, strangely enough, gives me a feeling of attachment. Like I belong to something. I don't identify myself solely from where I work, but it's one of the things that identify me. Having none of that kinda confuses me. It's the transition of not having to "go" to work every morning. Because now, work is getting out of the bed and turning on my computer and internet. Even the office space offers me comfort. The spacious room, large windows... I have once mentioned about these things. It helps me feeling less confined when I have to go home to my little bleak room. The people can be super annoying, but I learn things from these annoying people. The simplest will be: how to be not annoying like these people.
A friend of mine was sharing the same thoughts. It's the new job in his case. He felt like he had traded his simple easy working life with a chaotic busy yet interesting new work which pays better to. He sighed and told me that he had been questioning the reason why he took the new job. And I laughed and told him that's exactly what I had in mind about my choice.
I'm sure lots of people want to be in my shoes right now, job wise. Not actual shoes, they are quite small. I would love to be in my shoes as well, say, if I were a different person. But I guess I cannot be really satisfied with what I have at the moment. Not that I'm being ungrateful. Yes, I'm glad I took this job. But, if only it can be a tiny bit better...
My questions are (to myself): to what extend? Isn't there any boundaries? Should I make those boundaries? Should I stop expecting more at some point in the future and just feel contend? How can I achieve that, if it's achievable? Or, sod it, I'm human it's normal to always want more in life?
Then again, if I looked back, I was okay when I was staying with my friend. It felt a bit weird having to work and holiday at the same time, but it worked. Maybe that's what I need. A companion? Oh damn, I am getting old.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Pondering
I'm still recovering from recent illness. It was probably one of the worst ill moments of this year, which I took really bad because I was alone and no one actually knew I was ill apart from very few friends. I had been having fever for four days before I decided it's high time to go back home to my parents' house and got proper treatment and care. Luckily I did that because further blood test showed Salmonella in my blood, which meant I got the infamous typhoid. A level 4 typhoid, whatever that meant. Oh, plus measles. Hence, the outrageous fever.
Anyway, the (more or less) 10 days of laying down helpless, relying a lot on my mum and dad, I realised how lonely and fragile I was. Well, I've known I'm fragile in terms of having a rather weak and sickly body. Trust me I've tried to take care of myself, but sometimes my body just fails me. I guess I didn't get the healthy edition when God created the body. God, can I ask for a new healthier body?
I was also reminded about my parents/family. I couldn't remember the last time I was held by my dad, and it happened when I passed out on the living room. He was the one lifted me off the floor and then held me tight in his arms. When I started to get my consciousness back, I saw my dad holding me and my mum's panic-stricken face in front of me. It was like a dream, but I remembered that despite my high fever, my dad's cheek felt warm. So were his arms. And my mum felt soft and I felt safe when I leaned on her on our way to the emergency room. I realised how much I love them, despite the occasionally I'm-going-mad feeling when staying with my parents for more than five days.
I am getting better , but I'm still feeling rather claustrophobic for staying in a room for more than three days. My parents' bedroom is significantly larger than the "space" that I have here in this city, but I couldn't stay too long in a room now. So the office became a weird comfort, for the spacious room and bright lights and huge windows. That sounds weird, but that's how it is.
I know I still feel lonely, but I'm learning to not give too much attention to it. A friend told me to meet new people and just hang out at different events. I realised I don't want new friends, I want my old friends: the ones who have been in my life for ages and ages and ages. The one who is now grieving for his sick mother; the one who is now just entering marriage life; the one who is now thinking about serious career and marriage; the one who is struggling finding excitement in life; the one who is now doing things that I don't really understand but apparently it's good for him. I want these people, I want them close to me. But alas, that can't be done. Maybe I should find new friends.
Being sick can be good. It gives me time to think a lot, to ponder on things which I have neglected so far because I was too busy, or so I said to myself. I know now that I don't have any special feelings for anyone. I thought I had; now I think I was exaggerating. I know now that I'm quite depressed with my current job. Not the job mind you; it's the welfare situation. I also know that I am confused with my future plan. Everything is pretty messed up, although I said it is not. Worry much? Maybe. Maybe not.
I'm glad I'm not sick anymore...for now at least. I'm glad I had been ill, because then I realised different things. Now, where did I put the soul charger away?
Anyway, the (more or less) 10 days of laying down helpless, relying a lot on my mum and dad, I realised how lonely and fragile I was. Well, I've known I'm fragile in terms of having a rather weak and sickly body. Trust me I've tried to take care of myself, but sometimes my body just fails me. I guess I didn't get the healthy edition when God created the body. God, can I ask for a new healthier body?
I was also reminded about my parents/family. I couldn't remember the last time I was held by my dad, and it happened when I passed out on the living room. He was the one lifted me off the floor and then held me tight in his arms. When I started to get my consciousness back, I saw my dad holding me and my mum's panic-stricken face in front of me. It was like a dream, but I remembered that despite my high fever, my dad's cheek felt warm. So were his arms. And my mum felt soft and I felt safe when I leaned on her on our way to the emergency room. I realised how much I love them, despite the occasionally I'm-going-mad feeling when staying with my parents for more than five days.
I am getting better , but I'm still feeling rather claustrophobic for staying in a room for more than three days. My parents' bedroom is significantly larger than the "space" that I have here in this city, but I couldn't stay too long in a room now. So the office became a weird comfort, for the spacious room and bright lights and huge windows. That sounds weird, but that's how it is.
I know I still feel lonely, but I'm learning to not give too much attention to it. A friend told me to meet new people and just hang out at different events. I realised I don't want new friends, I want my old friends: the ones who have been in my life for ages and ages and ages. The one who is now grieving for his sick mother; the one who is now just entering marriage life; the one who is now thinking about serious career and marriage; the one who is struggling finding excitement in life; the one who is now doing things that I don't really understand but apparently it's good for him. I want these people, I want them close to me. But alas, that can't be done. Maybe I should find new friends.
Being sick can be good. It gives me time to think a lot, to ponder on things which I have neglected so far because I was too busy, or so I said to myself. I know now that I don't have any special feelings for anyone. I thought I had; now I think I was exaggerating. I know now that I'm quite depressed with my current job. Not the job mind you; it's the welfare situation. I also know that I am confused with my future plan. Everything is pretty messed up, although I said it is not. Worry much? Maybe. Maybe not.
I'm glad I'm not sick anymore...for now at least. I'm glad I had been ill, because then I realised different things. Now, where did I put the soul charger away?
Friday, December 2, 2011
#Occupy Duduki
I have heard about the #occupy movement which has been going all over the world since quite some time. Maybe you have too, or maybe you haven't. It is directed to economic and social inequality, with its "we are the 99 percent" catch-phrase. Funny enough I first learnt about the movement after I read one of the blogs I am currently following. And that was the myth retold dude's blog (it's a very interesting blog, go and check it out). I think he was also taking part in the occupying (I think Chicago) movement. And then I logged in to my favourite news site, and there it was. Each country has their own, including here. We have what we call "Duduki Jakarta".
I went twice to their meetings. It is always held at the open area of the Stock Exchange building which is located on one of the busiest main roads in the city. The first meeting was sometime last month. My friend was curious and wanted to check it out, and I came along. It was nothing much. We didn't even join the discussion. Sitting from a distance, I realised the megaphone didn't do a good job. The group of people was too little to create a human megaphone, thus the message was lost with the (strong) passing wind. I read the posters. They didn't say much, other than the usual phrases. I was wondering who constituted the 99 percent in this country and whether this small group was trying to represent them or not. Questions were dully noted.
Yesterday afternoon, I went to see the same friend at another Duduki Jakarta's meeting. I arrived late, coming from work and going through the heavy traffic. As I sat down beside the said friend, he gave me a leaflet. I asked him what these people were discussing before I came and he said he didn't quite get it since the road in front of us was packed with cars and bikes and people, it was so noisy and that rotten megaphone was still rotten. Plus he doesn't really speak Indonesian. But read the leaflet he said. So I did.
I have to say I was not impressed with the leaflet. The writing was all over the place; the argument was poorly delivered with so many grammatical errors and typos, it's like reading my old zine from junior high school. The issue was Papua. They wanted the government to, of course, improve the situation, especially related to the existence of Freeport. I was a bit confused. There are other movement or NGOs that supported Papua's improvement. Why weren't they involved in Duduki Jakarta? Instead, they invited Institut A (do support them if you can and want. They are trying to make a difference). I think it's interesting to invite Institut A in the discussion, but surely there are other parties who have been involved in Papua's issues and therefore would be able to contribute more information related to that issue?
Furthermore, there was a remark from a guy about how small the Duduki Jakarta's group was (there were at least a dozen of us). And the man who responded to that remark (I guess he's the coordinator or something) said that small number is not a problem and it's because this kind of movement was a new way of delivering ideas. At that I raised an eyebrow. New? As in, never done before in Indonesia? Was he serious? Apparently he was, because he continued saying the same thing again and again.
Has sitting in a public area and discussed never been done before the #occupy movement started? I remember the "informal" meetings that I and my friends used to have in Bandung where we just sat and talked about different issues: politic, economic, social, even literature. Did we achieve anything from that? Other than idea exchange, no, not really. Has Duduki Jakarta achieve anything so far? I have no idea. I don't even understand who they are representing and what actions they have taken so far other than talking to one another for the past two months. I am not by any means belittling this movement. I think it's good that someone (or some people) initiated this and is still persistent to make it happen. However, I do think actions talk louder than a crappy megaphone.
Which brought me to Institut A and what they have been doing so far. As a community-based movement, they are focusing on activities which are quite simple, yet can attract various people. The needle n bitch is an interesting (and empowering) DIY project. It's creative and profitable. It can inspire people to do different things. The bottom line is: they are doing things, making things, involving lots of different people. Maybe Duduki Jakarta should learn from them...fast.
A side note: one of the participants introduced herself and said this and that and mentioned that one of her concerns was to ban cigarette smoke in public "spaces". My friend from Institut A laughed and apologised, because before she smoked there, and half an hour later, lit her cigarette and puffed away. If I was still smoking, I would definitely join her.
I went twice to their meetings. It is always held at the open area of the Stock Exchange building which is located on one of the busiest main roads in the city. The first meeting was sometime last month. My friend was curious and wanted to check it out, and I came along. It was nothing much. We didn't even join the discussion. Sitting from a distance, I realised the megaphone didn't do a good job. The group of people was too little to create a human megaphone, thus the message was lost with the (strong) passing wind. I read the posters. They didn't say much, other than the usual phrases. I was wondering who constituted the 99 percent in this country and whether this small group was trying to represent them or not. Questions were dully noted.
Yesterday afternoon, I went to see the same friend at another Duduki Jakarta's meeting. I arrived late, coming from work and going through the heavy traffic. As I sat down beside the said friend, he gave me a leaflet. I asked him what these people were discussing before I came and he said he didn't quite get it since the road in front of us was packed with cars and bikes and people, it was so noisy and that rotten megaphone was still rotten. Plus he doesn't really speak Indonesian. But read the leaflet he said. So I did.
I have to say I was not impressed with the leaflet. The writing was all over the place; the argument was poorly delivered with so many grammatical errors and typos, it's like reading my old zine from junior high school. The issue was Papua. They wanted the government to, of course, improve the situation, especially related to the existence of Freeport. I was a bit confused. There are other movement or NGOs that supported Papua's improvement. Why weren't they involved in Duduki Jakarta? Instead, they invited Institut A (do support them if you can and want. They are trying to make a difference). I think it's interesting to invite Institut A in the discussion, but surely there are other parties who have been involved in Papua's issues and therefore would be able to contribute more information related to that issue?
Furthermore, there was a remark from a guy about how small the Duduki Jakarta's group was (there were at least a dozen of us). And the man who responded to that remark (I guess he's the coordinator or something) said that small number is not a problem and it's because this kind of movement was a new way of delivering ideas. At that I raised an eyebrow. New? As in, never done before in Indonesia? Was he serious? Apparently he was, because he continued saying the same thing again and again.
Has sitting in a public area and discussed never been done before the #occupy movement started? I remember the "informal" meetings that I and my friends used to have in Bandung where we just sat and talked about different issues: politic, economic, social, even literature. Did we achieve anything from that? Other than idea exchange, no, not really. Has Duduki Jakarta achieve anything so far? I have no idea. I don't even understand who they are representing and what actions they have taken so far other than talking to one another for the past two months. I am not by any means belittling this movement. I think it's good that someone (or some people) initiated this and is still persistent to make it happen. However, I do think actions talk louder than a crappy megaphone.
Which brought me to Institut A and what they have been doing so far. As a community-based movement, they are focusing on activities which are quite simple, yet can attract various people. The needle n bitch is an interesting (and empowering) DIY project. It's creative and profitable. It can inspire people to do different things. The bottom line is: they are doing things, making things, involving lots of different people. Maybe Duduki Jakarta should learn from them...fast.
A side note: one of the participants introduced herself and said this and that and mentioned that one of her concerns was to ban cigarette smoke in public "spaces". My friend from Institut A laughed and apologised, because before she smoked there, and half an hour later, lit her cigarette and puffed away. If I was still smoking, I would definitely join her.
Occupy my chest saja lah :P
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Homosexuality
Recently I have had interesting discussions with different people which is a good thing because then I have things to write about. I went to the university where I am working now to see my boss. There was another lecturer at the premise when I arrived and we ended up talking. Somehow, we started talking about homosexuality.
This other lecturer, let's just name him A, argued that homosexuality is something that some people were born with. I said the other way around, that it is a choice based on preferences. A didn't agree because he thought people could not choose their sexuality; people were born with their own sexuality, just like him born to like women, instead of men. I, then, used my personal experience to explain my argument. I told him that I had a crush with some random girl when I was still in uni but I was too shy to do anything about it. And he looked at me weirdly.
Then, he said that it is totally NATURAL for him to be aroused by sexy women, but UNNATURAL for him to get sexually aroused by men (sexy or not sexy). I said I can be aroused as well seeing sexy women. I mean, come on dude, they ARE sexy. He said, "It means you have some issues." Eh? It was interesting to see how both cringed just the slightest bit when I said that I just haven't met the right woman who interests me much. And how one of them concluded that I could have fallen for a woman if I wanted to and met the right person.
The discussion was taken downstairs, in front of the department's office. He continued by saying I should try convincing them (he and my boss) that it is indeed an option to be gay. I stared at them and asked, "Why would you want me to do that?" A similar answer was given to him when he asked, "Then why am I not interested in men?" I mean, how can I know why a person is not interested in something? What am I? A behavioural expert or something? Anyway I told him that he needed to find out that for himself. He insisted that I should TRY explaining to him. Finally I was kinda fed up and started talking about sexual penetrations.
I mentioned about porns. Not the best examples in the world I know. I should have used the Victorian erotic literature. I said when he (assuming that he does) watched porns, he would consider the actions in the scene and (maybe) started having his own personal thought about sex. Just you know, getting the idea about sex. His answer was, "When I watch porn I just watch it. I don't consider anything." He didn't get quite get my point. Or maybe I was being too vague.
I honestly do believe that sexuality is a matter of preference. You choose your partner: gender, age, race, personality, intelligence, etc. I can't imagine that you are born to like women or men or both. Or that you are born liking only Caucasian or Mongoloid or Malayan or whatever. It is not written in your genes. You actually will undergo a certain process (or maybe progress) and make your own list of preferences.
We ended the discussion by me saying opinions are made to be different. I won't force him to believe what I belief, no matter how vague my belief is. I said I just didn't like his negative tone (or prejudice upon me) about this issue. He, of course, denied the allegation. It was on the tip of my tongue: homophobic. But I didn't say it. I was afraid I was being overly too judgmental about two adult men who can't even understand why someone would take interest in gay, lesbian and transgender research if that person is not gay. Meh.
This other lecturer, let's just name him A, argued that homosexuality is something that some people were born with. I said the other way around, that it is a choice based on preferences. A didn't agree because he thought people could not choose their sexuality; people were born with their own sexuality, just like him born to like women, instead of men. I, then, used my personal experience to explain my argument. I told him that I had a crush with some random girl when I was still in uni but I was too shy to do anything about it. And he looked at me weirdly.
Then, he said that it is totally NATURAL for him to be aroused by sexy women, but UNNATURAL for him to get sexually aroused by men (sexy or not sexy). I said I can be aroused as well seeing sexy women. I mean, come on dude, they ARE sexy. He said, "It means you have some issues." Eh? It was interesting to see how both cringed just the slightest bit when I said that I just haven't met the right woman who interests me much. And how one of them concluded that I could have fallen for a woman if I wanted to and met the right person.
The discussion was taken downstairs, in front of the department's office. He continued by saying I should try convincing them (he and my boss) that it is indeed an option to be gay. I stared at them and asked, "Why would you want me to do that?" A similar answer was given to him when he asked, "Then why am I not interested in men?" I mean, how can I know why a person is not interested in something? What am I? A behavioural expert or something? Anyway I told him that he needed to find out that for himself. He insisted that I should TRY explaining to him. Finally I was kinda fed up and started talking about sexual penetrations.
I mentioned about porns. Not the best examples in the world I know. I should have used the Victorian erotic literature. I said when he (assuming that he does) watched porns, he would consider the actions in the scene and (maybe) started having his own personal thought about sex. Just you know, getting the idea about sex. His answer was, "When I watch porn I just watch it. I don't consider anything." He didn't get quite get my point. Or maybe I was being too vague.
I honestly do believe that sexuality is a matter of preference. You choose your partner: gender, age, race, personality, intelligence, etc. I can't imagine that you are born to like women or men or both. Or that you are born liking only Caucasian or Mongoloid or Malayan or whatever. It is not written in your genes. You actually will undergo a certain process (or maybe progress) and make your own list of preferences.
We ended the discussion by me saying opinions are made to be different. I won't force him to believe what I belief, no matter how vague my belief is. I said I just didn't like his negative tone (or prejudice upon me) about this issue. He, of course, denied the allegation. It was on the tip of my tongue: homophobic. But I didn't say it. I was afraid I was being overly too judgmental about two adult men who can't even understand why someone would take interest in gay, lesbian and transgender research if that person is not gay. Meh.
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