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When we’re sitting together at the mamak, cheering on our national superstars in the badminton courts, racial distinctions seemingly cease to exist. This is the picture perfect Malaysia that we were taught to conceive since our primary school days, with Pendidikan Seni (Art) teachers making sure we draw all three races on our assigned work every August. Alas, the conception of perfect unity is rare to the great divide that plagues not only our nation, but the whole world, especially in these trying times.

Being on Instagram last Tuesday exposed us all to photo after photo with the hashtags #blackouttuesday and #blacklivesmatter, even among the Malaysian following base. A large portion of stories were also dedicated to the movement, with particularly caustic ones calling out others for not taking a stance online on the matter. While our hearts certainly go out to the Black community, we do have to question the relevance of widespread postings of movement-related content, by mostly private Malaysian Instagram account holders. This is owed to the fact that the messages spread by these people, although coming from a good place, are unlikely to reach the people most affected by the issue and much less the American legislators who can enact change. 

It is certainly admirable to see many Malaysians stand up for what is right, this article will highlight that it’s time for us to look in the mirror and face our own demons: racism within home soil.

Why should we care?

Diversity, the real face of Malaysia

We’ve heard the stereotypes – this race is lazy; the other is only interested in money; yet another are thugs or drunkards. Although often meant in friendly jest, these thoughts bubble beneath the surface of the systemic racism in our beloved Malaysia. This is dangerous as the underlying fabric of our Malaysian society is the unity of all races. Hence, if covert discrimination takes place here, all it takes is a spark to ignite the flame of national chaos, as evidenced in the May 13 incident in 1969. 

We have fought for our unity as a multiracial and harmonious society, but have we – through our rose tinted lens – grown complacent? Are we guilty of perpetuating this discrimination by ignoring the things that happen locally that make us angry and dismiss it as “just the way things have always been”? Are we not guilty of avoiding interactions, friendships, and romantic relationships with those of a different colour based on our preconceived judgements handed down to us by our family members?

What of those scenarios whereby a racial lens is seemingly put upon interactions between ordinary Malayisan people? We’ve all seen viral road rage cases on Facebook between two angered drivers that suddenly become major race clashes in the comments section. This was and should have been seen in the lens of two angered drivers, in which race should not even be considered. What of race-based politics, where racial propaganda is sometimes spread to ignite mass distrust in the public’s eye?

What can we do?

As we face the resounding global call to denounce discrimination and racism in all forms, it is integral that we take time to reflect; ‘Am I a part of the problem or the solution?’. 

If you are feeling the call to action, to change the world – let’s start with ourselves and let it grow outward from there. Examine yourself and your environment, and you will be surprised at how many people are hurting, how many families are disillusioned by the ingrained discrimination in our society. 

Everything starts small so start with yourself – change the way that you view people. This is by no means an easy task but as long as you try then you are already doing a good thing. You can start with purging racially inflammatory words from your vocabulary completely. You can also stop generalising a certain trait to the whole community. Educate yourself on what is really happening and ask your friends to help you better yourself. The internet is full of information so always read both sides of the story to get the bigger picture of the situation. Speak up against discrimination within your community (friends and family), your silence will be taken by them as approval of their remarks. 

‘When we look at something from rose-tinted glasses, all the red flags just look like flags’, Wanda Pierce from Bojack Horseman, a popular Netflix series. Let’s not make the mistake Wanda made dating Bojack, a clearly foreseen misery which she was reluctant to admit at first.

Instead, we need to recognise that racism is happening in our own home and start making the change within ourselves, our friends, and our family. It’s due time to visit the optometrist for clear lenses: we need to see society for what it is in order to start making change.

This is our battle as much as it is those in other parts of the world. 

Interesting reads:

• 5 Faces: A Story of Polic Custodial Deaths in Malaysia by Lawyers for Liberty, 2020
• Malaysian Racial Discrimination Report 2015 by Pusat Komas Malaysia, 2016