This Jember Home is a Christian home, positioned right in the middle of a street well known for a great mosque it led to. We had heard from the caretaker that their presence in that street had caused some unhappiness around the area, and as a result, the kids were sometimes exposed to hostility as they made their way to school.
We had a spirited activity called the 'Toast for Change', somewhat like a New Year Resolution that fateful night last year. It was only 9.30pm, early for Singaporean standards. As such, we decided to wrap up the event with a traditional chinese 'YAM SENG', which we had taught to the kids earlier. Enthusiastically, everyone stood around in a circle and toasted for the change they resolved to make for the new year. The "yaaaaam" went on for half a minute or so, and the 'seennggg' ended just in time for us to hear the first of many 'thunks'. Initial puzzlement slowly turned to fear as the the caretaker explained that the neighbours were hurling rocks at the Home. The metallic noises that we heard were that of stones riddling the aluminium roof. While the older boys left us to take up different 'defence' positions, we huddled at the corner and prayed.
Of course, this whole issue could have arisen because we toasted 'late' at night, being rather unmindful of Indonesian culture and their abhorrence of noises made late at night. Yet, I believe that the situation was exponentially compounded because the Home was not a part of the in-group in their community. This experience was novel for me, being constantly sheltered in Singapore, where Christians face no persecution nor scorn. But it has led me to this question: Have we thrown metaphorical stones at members of out-groups where we are in Singapore? Whether we have or not, it is good time to reflect and reconsider on the way we behave towards different sub-cultures in Singapore.
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ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I would like to point out that the annoyance on the part of the Indonesians was not entirely unreasonable, nor should it be considered unique to them as I myself would have called the police if I heard strange people screaming in the middle of the night in Singapore. The threat and use of physical violence and throwing of rocks however is something alien to our generally pacifistic culture in Singapore.
ReplyDeleteIn culturally harmonious Singapore, sectarian violence is unheard of thanks to the Government’s hard-line stance against disturbing the peace between races and its subsequent harsh crackdown on those who would test the waters. In our less fortunate neighbouring countries, poverty aside, the Government is actually the major part of the problem as corruption, and more importantly, extremism are rampant in even the highest levels of public office. Conservative, proselytising and monotheistic religions such as those of the Abrahamic lineage – Christianity, Islam and Judaism – also tend to be less tolerant of “non-believers” due to the teachings espoused in their scriptures.
Still, there can be no excuse for uncivilised behaviour on the part of any who do not consider themselves savages. After all, violence is the last refuge of cowardice.
Si Isaac, es verdad todo lo que. Entonces estoy de acuerdo con tu hermano!
ReplyDeleteQue bravo,
Very good post!
Thanks for the very reflective sharing. Wow, it must have been tough going on such a mission trip and it must have taken your team a lot of courage to do so. Indeed, we live a very sheltered life in Singapore. Some may say we live in a bubble; unaware of the many things that are happening around us. Worst, we tend to take things for granted. Indeed, going to Indonesia must have been an eye-opener for your team. In many countries, I believe religion defines a particular sub-group and in Indonesia, especially the area that you were at, intrusion of other religion might appear as a threat to the livelihood. This is in contrast to Singapore where the subcultures are respectful of each other and thus, we have a multi-cultural society that we are often praised for. In this case, it is hard to reconciliate such differences in culture but nevertheless you could be more sensitive of other cultures when stepping on foreign land. As the saying goes, “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
ReplyDeleteThanks for ending with a question which really made me reflect. Before we judge others, we have to be mindful of the way we behave towards the different sub-cultures. We must be understanding and respectful of others. Hurling insults will not help but make the situation worst. We should be sensitive to others and put ourselves in their situation to respect what they are doing.
Cheers!
Hey Edwin!
ReplyDeleteYea the question at the end is really thought provoking. I've often wondered that myself. Should we hold our cultural values as something that is sacred or should we make compromises for the betterment of others? It keeps me up sometimes, like the rocks probably did for you that night in Indonesia.
I do agree with Eunice though. When you are in a foreign land, you should try not to disrupt their way of life, much like if foreigners came here you would not want to make to many concessions just to accommodate them.
Overall a nice read well done!
This is a very interesting post, Edwin, and you've motivated your classmates to make insightful comments. As Isaac pointed out, part of the hostile response might have simply been that you all were making noise late at night. That is the "best case scenario." The "worst case" is that the neighbors of the home, if indeed they are of a different "cultural" background from those in the home itself, are simply lying in wait of a reason to respond negatively. Intolerance, as well know, is one of the saddest aspects of the idea of "difference." I have meet both Christians and Moslems in Jember. They look the same, they speak the same language, and indeed they share much in the way of the values, norms and behaviors of Javanese/Indonesian culture. Only what is sometimes perceived as the great divide of religious beliefs would seem
ReplyDeleteto separate them. Even then, upon closer analysis, looking closely one might see that many of the actual beliefs in Islam and Christianity are the same (the idea of "one God" for example). Why is it that socio-cultural groups will often find not common cause but deep dispute when they "split the hairs" of their beliefs? Some social scientists lay the blame on economics, others say that the scriptures themselves are at fault for dividing people into believers and nonbelievers. What do you suppose?
Sup Brad,
ReplyDeleteI want to address your point specifically in the final few sentences. I think Scripture is hallowed; all human conflicts cannot be a result of the holiness of Scripture, because God cannot insinuate dissent? Rather it the deep disputes are as natural as the sin in every human being.
Cheers
Wow! That must be very memorable. The closest to actual intercultural conflict we Singaporeans can get is at most unfriendly stare or argument. To be in an area where intercultural violence can actually happen upon a triggering event would a whole new level of experience for us. I am glad that nothing happened except some stones that were thrown at the house.
ReplyDeleteWe can all learn from Edwin’s experience that we got to observe the boundaries of different cultures and be careful not to go over the limits. I agree with Eunice’s saying of “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
A good way to maintain intercultural harmony is to set common grounds and interest where most cultural groups agree upon and make sure the people behave appropriately. However, it is too idealistic as different groups have their own interest and they would try to push for more benefits. By doing so, it would sometimes deprive another group of some benefits since resources are scarce. When intercultural differences intertwine with economics and politics, a snowball of misunderstanding and conflict occurs. For example, the Middle East has always been an area of contest and often religion was used as an excuse for conflict where the actual reasons would well be of economic or political nature.
Hi Edwin, your post was quite thought provoking. I’m glad that you realized the group’s loud noises at night disturbed the Indonesian neighbours. Considering that they were already hostile to the Christian presence in their area, I guess it would be wise for you guys to maintain the peace at night? By disturbing them, their anger towards the Christians would simply be made even more intense, and they would have found one more reason to hate the Christians who live there.
ReplyDeleteIn effective intercultural communication, it is critical that we show a high level of understanding, appreciation, and sensitivity towards the culture of other people. This would give people the impression that we value them and do not wish to impose our own practices onto their lives. Hence, by keeping the noise level down, your group would be communicating respect for the social norms of the Indonesians, and thus help them to be more at peace with you, or at least prevent them from behaving more aggressively towards you.
With regards to your question about metaphorical rocks, I must admit I’m guilty of sometimes being unfriendly towards people whom I’ve labeled as part of the outgroup. I think I’ve a slight dose of xenophobia haha. I do desire to change this aspect of myself as I believe that foreigners do want do want to feel welcome (some of them at least) when they are staying in Singapore for extended periods of time.
Thank you all for your comments guys! Indeed, I have learnt what many of you had commented. Like what you all have said, our behaviors in foreign lands should not be, and can not be compared to that in our own. Immediately after that event, while I was in my room, I was just feeling so bad for being insensitive to their neighbours. And it taught me (once and for good) to be mindful of time's effect on people's perception of what is noise. Hope this won't happen ever again,should I be the one who conducts activities.
ReplyDelete