There has been much debate over the years about integration of the Malaysian communities. It it generally perceived that these days we are a nation more divided than we were 50 years ago. Many fingers point to the schools. Some point to the parents. Many people - politicians and business people try to capitalize by either giving knee-jerk reactions or finding ways to make money out of this situation - without really contributing to any real positive change.
The latest and is about the setting up internet servers and software in schools for the e-integration program, and by playing online games, online chats as part of the RM26 million Students Integration Plan for Unity. See report by AP here.
I think such initiatives, though may be creative but completely missed the point. I strong believe that if our society were to be more integrated, there must first of all be a focus on each person's culture and develop a deep understanding and appreciation for them. Schools and homes need to make conscious effort to encourage and allow that to happen. This means, we need to play a role in strengthening our own cultural and spiritual practices. Only then will we be able to appreciate other cultures. No culture must be allowed to dominate, lest we rather be assimilated.
As such, I feel parents play a very important role here. In the urban environment, very often we do not seem to have enough time, "fast food" mentality drives a fast-paced lifestyle, forgetting to stop and appreciate ourselves. Many young parents have chosen to forgo and do away with traditional practices and take religious holidays for granted. Celebrations like Chinese New Year is becoming more a materialistic celebration - for example, the traditional tea ceremony and respect for elders has very much faded If not disappeared. I am sure other races in the urban environment is facing this challenge as well. We must resist the over-simplified, capitalistic approach to culture. We must make the effort to revive and enrich our lives by them.
Otherwise, all we will have left will be the cultural video and computer game and all our integration will be a "virtual" one.
The latest and is about the setting up internet servers and software in schools for the e-integration program, and by playing online games, online chats as part of the RM26 million Students Integration Plan for Unity. See report by AP here.
I think such initiatives, though may be creative but completely missed the point. I strong believe that if our society were to be more integrated, there must first of all be a focus on each person's culture and develop a deep understanding and appreciation for them. Schools and homes need to make conscious effort to encourage and allow that to happen. This means, we need to play a role in strengthening our own cultural and spiritual practices. Only then will we be able to appreciate other cultures. No culture must be allowed to dominate, lest we rather be assimilated.
As such, I feel parents play a very important role here. In the urban environment, very often we do not seem to have enough time, "fast food" mentality drives a fast-paced lifestyle, forgetting to stop and appreciate ourselves. Many young parents have chosen to forgo and do away with traditional practices and take religious holidays for granted. Celebrations like Chinese New Year is becoming more a materialistic celebration - for example, the traditional tea ceremony and respect for elders has very much faded If not disappeared. I am sure other races in the urban environment is facing this challenge as well. We must resist the over-simplified, capitalistic approach to culture. We must make the effort to revive and enrich our lives by them.
Otherwise, all we will have left will be the cultural video and computer game and all our integration will be a "virtual" one.
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