Thursday, March 20, 2008

KARTINI - WE ARE SORRY


Oh Kartini..what happened?

Rob over at therabexperience has taken some offence (As did the Stump) at comments made in some sort of bizarre defence of the immature, sexually insecure behaviour of way too many men in this country. Way to go Rob! Go get em!

As usual for this time of year, it quickly descended into the eternally boring evil Expat routine from the usual suspects plus a new (but hardly refreshing)guest appearance (Grow up kiddies! It’s a big inter-connected world now not one big Kampung). The overt, unhealthy and over bearing Nationalism that is drummed into every child tends to pervade every discussion rational or otherwise but thats another post.

Trouble is the base issue has little to do with “Bules”* but more to do with the insecure, offensive behaviour of a significant number of men to women in Indonesia.
Sexism reigns supreme from blatantly sex job advertisements which dictate age, weight and compulsory picture to behaviour that would earn a slap in the face (or legal action) in most other countries.

To get to the point, the Stump contrary to well meaning (?) albeit incredibly bizarre “advice that women or their spouses/companions should expect such comments or behaviour if that’s how they conduct themselves (sic)” believes there is no excuse or rational for abuse of women in any form.

Unfortunately, it is all too common in Indonesia for women to be subjected to snide remarks, verbal abuse (and worse) by insecure little weasels. The ratio of such attacks increase should that women not meet the somewhat incestuous fantasy of what a women is permitted to do, say, dress or work as or even dare I say it, who she chooses as companion. Of course, I may be way off course here, but I suggest a lot of these perceptions are seriously skewed due to limited social interaction with women during the formative years of youth (If your only real contact with women is your mom, then HELLO MR. BATES..or should that be MASTER BATES).

A number of people suggested that the Stump (and others) should ignore such comments when they are directed people he knows. Sorry I disagree! Although that was the case when I first arrived in country, putting it down to culture and lack of understanding, over the years I have come to realise its got bugger all to with culture its just pure pig ignorance.

It’s the Broken Window theory; far too many people just ignore these morons and they then think such behaviour is acceptable in a civilised society. From the snide remark to someone who does not meet their view who deserves respect, it’s a short walk to gathering in groups in harass someone, to the group that believes it has the right to visit violence on others (an aspect of Indonesia that seems to be growing daily).

The Stump chooses to challenge and humiliate these drongos at the start (with due regard to common sense and safety) and perhaps they will think twice the next time. Personally, the Stump is somewhat despondent at the meek acceptance of uncivilised behaviour by the majority. The traditional "pretend its not happening" or making excuses for such behaviour is creating the kind of country and world that is not fit for our children.

Ok, thats the drum for today..

Remember "Remember

It takes 9 muscles to smile

But only 2 to pick up a metal bar and beat the guy giving us most problems around the head with it.


(Bule = at best an ignorant term, at worst a degrotrary term for anyone with white skin. Fairly literally means Albino. Best Defence on hearing term return greeting with a smile “Yo Chocolate”).

4 comments:

Rob Baiton said...

Stump...Nice post! I posted in somewhat apologetic terms at Unspun because I had not intended to offend but rather highlight the 'arse about face' nature of some of the arguments being made...

Jakartass though went hard in a post he made at the Unspun thread.

Although, I must say that agree with you on this one that sometimes the best means of defense is offense. If I can teach a lesson on respect I will take that opportunity...

Yep, I believe it to be not only ignorance but arrogance...If as a guest in Indonesia I am supposed to treat Indonesians with respect I believe that it is also fair for me to expect that I and the people I am with be respected in return. After 15 years I think I have earned that right as well.

Nah, if I have to suffer at the hands of some numbnuts with some uncalled for abuse I also believe I have earned the right to return the favour with interest. When I do this makes me a disrespectful bule. As I have said before I can live with the bad, bad, bad bule tag!

Bule is a racist term as it is a term that distinguishes only based on skin colour. I had some Indonesian tell me that it was not in the same league as calling a person of African ancestory a nigger! I beg to differ...both are racist terms and both are designed to offend on racial grounds...

Indonesians generally do not get this but trace the history of the term; a word for Indonesians to refer to white non-Indonesians in a derogatory way...

oigal said...

Rob,

Thanks, I must admit I had a different train of thought than you. It took a fair bit of effort not to reply to our lady friend's return post with a shed load of venom. The first comment was shallow and superficial and missed the point anyway but the second was just a bail out and turned fairly personal (Who are you kidding, seriously trying to suggest there was not a sub text of if people act like that (???) then they deserve abuse. However as I didn't want to keep talking family..time to bail..

As for the "guest" bit, that is starting to wear thin..family, taxes, long term resident..etc etc..in any non-xenophobic situation would be courted as a citizen. How are people like us any more a guest than say a unemployed Javanese in Bali for instance. I figure I have earned the right to complain or praise as I see fit (claim the boston tea party as reference..grin)

Personally bloody rude is bloody rude and nationality has sweet FA to do with it..

Bule..try the Chocolate response raise some eyebrows but its pretty rare for the same person to use the term twice.(Again not for the kids but for the educated (?) morons who should know better.

Although a word of warning, prick the little bubble of self delusion on your blog and you will get some nasty (although inane) responses..

Anonymous said...

'Stump - confused about these comments:


1) It’s the Broken Window theory; far too many people just ignore these morons and they then think such behaviour is acceptable in a civilised society. From the snide remark to someone who does not meet their view who deserves respect, it’s a short walk to gathering in groups in harass someone, to the group that believes it has the right to visit violence on others (an aspect of Indonesia that seems to be growing daily).

Bit of a stretch to take pathetic cat-calls to violence spreading across Indonesia. A bit self-aggrandizing, don't you think ? Don't you think these incidents are smaller in the grand scheme than you're making out ?


2) only two muscles to beat someone with a stick ?

Huh ? Swinging a club's a complex motion - Hand - at least half a dozen muscles, forearm, another half dozen, then biceps, 3-heads of the triceps, four-headed deltoids, plus lattisimus traps, then the four-sided abdominals, to stabilize the motion & transfer power from bottom section of body, including gluteus max, quads, calves, and musles in the foot.

oigal said...

"Don't you think these incidents are smaller in the grand scheme than you're making out"

Answer Yes..in fact the whole point of the orginal post got lost..

2..Its a joke joyce! and I cant spell gluteus however how about you stand still and we do a "mythbusters"