Stop the prejudice but remember, it begins with you

 

Malaysia is the very definition of a melting-pot.

But, as much as we proudly declare that we are a warm and hospitable people, our nation is fraught with divisive prejudices. The chasms are more apparent as everyone reels from the economic aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Folks are struggling to put food on the table, and efforts are made by various quarters in the community to help the most displaced; yet in the very fabric of Malaysian society, there are deep-seated biases.

Being a multi-ethnic nation, naturally we have many differences amongst the races. Therefore, it is vital for our very survival to forge overarching unity. But the sad reality is that the various races seem to be more divided than ever.

While the leaders of our nation keep revealing a multitude of “blueprints” for national unity, there seems to be no tangible evidence that their plans are actually bearing fruit.

It seems that there is a lack of political will for real unity.

When the very source of political leadership in this country is derived from complex race-based support, it is illogical to expect the very same politicians to voluntarily shift away from this entrenched philosophy.

The continuous scheming of all the players across the political spectrum, shows that they have an irresistible incentive to play up racial differences, rather than to work at narrowing the gap.

Many who lead, don’t focus on strengthening the ties that bind and unite us. Instead, they use our inherent prejudices to enhance interracial differences, in order to win power.

But why do we have these prejudices in us, and allow charismatic opportunists to manipulate us?

While you might assume that prejudice comes from ideology, definitive research by Arne Roets and Alain Van Hiel of Ghent University in Belgium says otherwise.

At the core, it is about fear. Their study found that prejudice stems from a deeper psychological need.

People are uncomfortable with ambiguity and want to make quick and firm decisions. But in doing so, are prone to making generalisations about others, which makes them prejudicial.

Because they need to reduce uncertainty and allay their fears, they rely on the most obvious and often the first piece of information they get. Once they’ve made their mind up, even when presented with facts that contradict that decision, they simply ignore it.

For example, when you meet someone, you immediately see that person as being male or female, young or old, yellow or brown, without seeing any deeper.

This form of simple social categorisation reduces the complexity in understanding them.

But the problem is that when you assume certain characteristics in people of a category, it leads to prejudice and stereotyping. You then judge a new person based on what you already believe about any person in that social group.

If say you meet me for the first time, you will see that you are meeting an Indian man. If you just use pre-existing ideas about what you think Indian men are generally like, it becomes easy for you to have an opinion about me. You will immediately think of me as part of this group, and in your mind, I will behave in a particular manner.

And this is the narrative that we are so used to in Malaysia.

People assume that as a category, Malays, Chinese, Indians, Sabahans, Sarawakians or foreigners behave in certain, specific ways. This the simplest way to catalogue everyone.

But it is from here that all the false stereotypes of certain races come from.

Instead of helping us think differently, our leaders through various policies, and institutionalised preferential treatment actually actively propagate these prejudices.

And why should they change? After all, race is the platform from which they gain their power to lead.

If we want to better our society, and ensure the longevity of the idea of Malaysia, it is incumbent upon us, as a people, to reduce our own propensity to typecast others.

Begin in your private life, and at your workplace. Consciously commit yourself to equality and fairness.

Recognise that you may have unconscious prejudices towards a particular group or race. So, acknowledge your biases rather than ignoring them. Confront your preconceptions, and work through them.

Enthusiastically seek out friendships with people from different races. When you do this, you begin to increase your brain’s familiarity with different groups of people, and expand your own horizons.

If you live a blinkered life, you will be repeatedly manipulated by people who prey on your fears and insecurities.

People are different from you. But try to deliberately identify what qualities and goals you might have in common with them. Then, you can see them as fellow Malaysians.

When you encounter situations of overt bias, speak out against it. Stand up to any injustice based on prejudice. This helps create and reinforce a standard of behaviour for yourself, and for the people around you.

Additionally, you will be helping some poor soul who is the target of explicit or even implicit prejudice.

Don’t just sloganise the term “unity and strength in diversity”. Accept that we are hardwired to act out our prejudices, so make the active choice to work consciously on reducing this tendency in you.

And know that you cannot rely on politicians to do this of their own accord. You must demand it from them.

But remember, it all begins with you! - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.