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Thought I’d talk a little on the torrent of racism Malaysian Indians had to deal with on this app for the past few days.
Thread.
Thread.
Cultural appropriation will always seem like a petty issue if you don't see the link between the cultural and the political.
Aside from impropriety, that's always been the real source of friction.
Aside from impropriety, that's always been the real source of friction.
The divisions only get sharper when Msian Indians express their frustration against cultural appropriation and receive racist threats in return.
Amazing how accusations of racism actually provoke literal racism instead of any attempt at introspection, but before I get into that.
Amazing how accusations of racism actually provoke literal racism instead of any attempt at introspection, but before I get into that.
It's important to note that it's true the Malaysian context of cultural appropriation is very different from the US.
Cultural syncretism and exchange historically occurred a lot more organically here so the lines are blurrier and there hasn't been a strong embargo on multicultural participation, which is a good thing.
However, those lines DO exist.
However, those lines DO exist.
Culture isn't an assortment of objects on a shelf for everyone to help themselves to.
Certain things are more sensitive than others and if you'd like to partake appropriately, especially if profit is involved, there is no shortcut.
Certain things are more sensitive than others and if you'd like to partake appropriately, especially if profit is involved, there is no shortcut.
You must engage with minority communities to ensure accurate representation and financial compensation.
When all is said and done, promoting multicultural aesthetics is meaningless if the production doesn't reflect the equity it's trying to sell.
When all is said and done, promoting multicultural aesthetics is meaningless if the production doesn't reflect the equity it's trying to sell.
Also, try to understand that representation isn’t just purely having more Indian people on the team, but having more Indian people on the team working towards the community’s social empowerment.
It would do absolutely no good to have someone like me on the team, for example.
It would do absolutely no good to have someone like me on the team, for example.
Not because I’m half Malay, but because despite me being half Indian and it being very apparent on my face, I know little about Indian culture, specifically anything related to Hinduism.
My mom’s side are Tamil Catholics and themselves are very ambivalent about their heritage.
My mom’s side are Tamil Catholics and themselves are very ambivalent about their heritage.
The voice like mine may not be aware of the power dynamic at play and is therefore no rubber stamp.
To consider it so is not representation, but tokenism.
To consider it so is not representation, but tokenism.
‘Alaaa. Why so complicated?’
Well, because diversity means fundamentally different things to the majority and the minority.
Well, because diversity means fundamentally different things to the majority and the minority.
For the Malay majority, partaking is just celebrating diversity. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but it’s a purely cosmetic activity.
For Indian minorities, diversity means empowerment against anti-blackness and racism.
Accurate, sincere cultural visibility pushes back against prejudice and normalizes marginalized voices.
Accurate, sincere cultural visibility pushes back against prejudice and normalizes marginalized voices.
Minorities are NOT asking for exclusivity.
They're asking for the opportunity to help showcase their own culture and represent themselves in the struggle.
They're asking for the opportunity to help showcase their own culture and represent themselves in the struggle.
Malaysia is a society where there is still no consensus on whether blackface constitutes grievous harm and where even a light-skinned Malay celebrity can try on Indian cultural aesthetics and be hit with the very racism Indians are trying to combat. https://twitter.com/peaxhy_vibes06/status/1296365644053483521
What Mira Filzah did wasn't "hateful" nor "racist", but a lot of the reactions to her Indian critics are.
The racism is blatant and overwhelming. https://twitter.com/justdonewithyal/status/1296675989926187008
The racism is blatant and overwhelming. https://twitter.com/justdonewithyal/status/1296675989926187008
Look at this torrent of hate and recognize that this is the toxic mainstream impulse that drives Malaysian Indians to call out cultural appropriation where they see it.
‘Why should our culture be shared in projects that go nowhere towards stopping this racism?'
'Why should we tolerate it when we’re called k*ling for criticizing them?'
'Why should we have to endure having our own culture explained to us by gaslighting racists?’
'Why should we tolerate it when we’re called k*ling for criticizing them?'
'Why should we have to endure having our own culture explained to us by gaslighting racists?’
Watching minority culture being shared on inequitable terms with the majority against the backdrop of systemic inequality and widespread prejudice will always be a source of tension.
As long as Malaysian multiculturalism is enforced as a facade minorities should be grateful to live under instead of a set of national principles that strives to achieve a greater degree of equality for all peoples living under its banner, it will never be genuine.
We Malaysians have been raised to view our multiculturalism with such pride that many of us have fooled ourselves into thinking we’re somehow uniquely better at it than others.
We need to get a grip.
We need to get a grip.
We are not the only multicultural country in the world and we’re certainly not one that manages its race relations all that well.
We’re just one that’s invested a lot into maintaining that image of ourselves at the expense of trying for a more equitable society.
We’re just one that’s invested a lot into maintaining that image of ourselves at the expense of trying for a more equitable society.
It’s not impossible for us to try and live up to our lofty national values, but it begins with an introspective majority and understanding what multiculturalism is.
It’s not just Petronas ads and colorful slogans, nor just pointing to the fact of our diverse history as proof of anti-racism.
It sure as Hell certainly isn’t privileged mixed race people thinking their very existence renders minority anxieties invalid.
It sure as Hell certainly isn’t privileged mixed race people thinking their very existence renders minority anxieties invalid.
It’s about ensuring that all cultures and the peoples they belong to are given equal validation and elevation as members of a multicultural society.
Poverty, discrimination and access to opportunity are all fronts in this battle and how well they go affects minority opinions about how they feel about their culture being shared.
This isn’t to say the Malay majority doesn’t face these problems.
It’s to say that because they are the majority, the predominance of budaya Melayu isn’t in question.
It’s to say that because they are the majority, the predominance of budaya Melayu isn’t in question.
Policies, constitutional provisions, unique court systems and even the monarchy all represent systemic authority minorities, especially Indians, do not have.
It means the Malay community will never have to yearn for representation.
It means the Malay community will never have to yearn for representation.
That’s why culture is such a big deal.
In many cases, it’s the only expression of power the community has
In many cases, it’s the only expression of power the community has
This issue doesn’t have to be so divisive if one sees the sociopolitical elements attached to culture.
More importantly, you’ll be able to see that the racism Indians get for expressing their dissent over this issue isn’t random, but part of a wider discomfort/resentment with putting minorities on a pedestal.
Having said all this, you may rightfully be wondering: ‘What’s the difference between appreciation and appropriation?’
Honestly, I’m not entirely sure myself because as I mentioned above, we are not the US. Culture is more organically and willfully shared in Malaysia.
Across the board, we’re all proud of Malaysian multiculturalism and no one wants to see it recede. Many just want better terms.
Across the board, we’re all proud of Malaysian multiculturalism and no one wants to see it recede. Many just want better terms.
However, a good place to start would be engaging with minority voices instead of ridiculing them whenever this comes up.
A few examples: https://twitter.com/MrManter/status/1296287895863455744
