Of Race and Religion

We have to admit that this world we are living in have reached modernisation. Unlike in the past, tribal thinking has been fully abolished in most political systems. But how sure are we? How can we secure that our thinking is racially and religiously united? We are still in tribes, living in concrete buildings, giving only to those of our race and religion.

It is quite often when someone of my family asked me where I'm studying, they will ask me how many chinese are there. What do they mean by that? Why do I need Chinese people to study with me in my University? They won't affect my studies at all. Is it so awkward for me to mix with my Malay, Indian, Sabahan and Sarawakian friends there? How different are they to not be friends with me? I'm dissappointed by the fact that my family member will sigh when I say Chinese people is not of majority in my university.

I'm not talking about racism here. I'm only talking about human's tribal thinking to mix with people only with their same faith and race. Ever wondered why extremism of religion is such a big issue in this world? Because of this kind of thinking. On second thought, if those extremists have friends from other races and religion, would they have the heart to kill innocent people that doesn't share the same faith? I'm even labeled as an Indian and Malay once for not eating beef and pork. It is my diet planning, who are others to interfere what I chose to eat and not to eat?

Things could get funnier when me and my friends were divided between Chinese, Malay, Indian and etc during the first week of my orientation week. So I sat with a bunch of Chinese students and knew each other. The only thing that pissed me off is that a Chinese facilitator said to us, "we Chinese are critically outnumbered in this university, because of this, we have to guard our tongues so that we won't insult other races." At first, it was meant to promote racial unity. On second interpretation, the facilatator meant that, "we are outnumbered, so don't pick any fight with other races unless we are the majority." I wished it was a misquote. By the way, what do the authorities mean when they divided the students according to their races?

Honestly, I enjoyed going to holy places of every religion. My mother even said that I'm out of my mind for entering a mosque. So far, I've been to Buddhist temple, Hindu Temple and mosque. I am looking forward to go to church someday. Churches are so outnumbered in my area. Is that so sinful to celebrate something not of our culture? Why is it so wrong if I fast with my friends just to know the feel of Puasa? Why is it so wrong if I proposed an idea to celebrate Christmas with my family? Why is it so wrong for me to keep a copy of translated Bible and Quran in my room?

Life's too short to know only one culture. My effort and goal is to break the barriers of race among us, Malaysians. Isn't it fate if we could live together in a country unlike most other countries? Isn't it advantageous for every race to contribute they share of talents to develop our country? So, why are we still sitting with our own races when we are having lunch in a restaurant? Why don't we sit together? Before I forget, if I should marry a girl not of my own race, so be it. I won't be restricted by tribal thoughts of others.