Voice Comment: (206) 888-JOHN
Show #182 | Duration: 50:28 | 23.3 MB | Mono |
Malaysian National Day.
Some history. Some culture. Some thoughts. Some opinions.
Racisms.
Certified sissy needed to butch up.
No shows next week. I’ll be in Seattle. Then off on a cruise to Alaska. I will be coming back with an announcement about Ongline Podcast. And update on the Penang Hokkien comment “controversy”.
Hi John! An announcement? Don’t like the sound of that.
Nationalities – you are totally correct about your USA/Malaysia mixed feelings. Many of my “imported” friends are Americans in some ways, but they bring a lot of wonderful values from growing up in Asia. I wish we all could learn to appreciate other cultures and incorporating the good things into our lives. I am lucky to have many friends from many cultures (heck look at the picture on my website of the softball team I played on – what a mixture of wonderful people!)
Politics / Citizenship – I hope you do become a citizen and I’ll be following your progress closely. I know you aren’t political on your show, because you aren’t a citizen and can’t vote. But you still have a voice – use it! I’ve always urged the members of Asians & Friends Chicago to vote…and if they weren’t eligible…to encourage their eligible partners/friends to vote. Change only happens when people are involved. And you have a unique voice…not sissified at all. 🙂
Did you see Olbermann’s roast of Rumsfeld yesterday? Calling me a capitulator to terrorists? This is a must see:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/08/30/keith-olbermann-delivers-one-hell-of-a-commentary-on-rumsfeld/
Oh , u r a good singer ! I was on the bed while listening to your show, when I heard you sing, I dragged my ass up immediately standing up to show my respect. 🙂
I was standing already…on the train on the way to work. Very moving song.
John,
I think you are totally right about the racial tension in Malaysia, it’s just that most Malaysians were too afraid to speak up because of the Internal Security Act. The perception of one ethnic group is lazier than another group in Malaysia is partly fueled by the affirmative action.
Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia grants the King of Malaysia the responsibility for safeguarding the rights and privileges of the Malay and other indigenous peoples of Malaysia. Among the rights and privileges listed are quota for public service, quota for university admission, 7% discount on the puchase price of a house, 30% equity for a listing company and etc. Imagine that your next door neighbor bought the same house at a 7% discount just because of his/her race. Hence in order to stay ahead of the game, other minority groups have to work twice as hard for a better life.
I know that Malaysia is not as bad as Indonesia where you can’t legally have your own Chinese name and that the affimative action for the ethnic majority was needed initially to close the economic disparities, caused by British’s Divide and Conquer colonial policy, between Malay, Chinese and Indian. However as Malaysia progresses and economic disparity has become almost a non-issue, the government should at least have a dialouge and revisit the Constitution. We should learn from Singapore (since both countries are similar in many ways) where each individual is rewarded because you work hard and not because of your race.
I want to be a proud Malaysian but I can’t help but feeling like a second class citizen, just like how the GLBT felt in this country. ….:)
Listened to you sing tonight. OMG, you have a beautiful voice. I can see why you are so loved by your friends. Your speaking voice relects your humanity. Listening tonight has made me reassess what I am doing in my own podcasts. Keep doing what your doing John. I’m listening and I’m enjoying every minute of it. Have a wonderful vacation. Peace!
I really like your singing voice, U are so telented, John 🙂