Why I don’t believe in unity
There are Malaysians who actually think that what the Indonesians did a long time ago ― banning the use of Chinese names and languages ― was the right thing to do to foster unity by making everyone use the national language whether they wanted to or not.
Erna Mahyuni, The Malay Mail Online
With the resurgence of white supremacy movements and increased nationalistic fervour the world over, I find constant talk of “unity” and “patriotism” disturbing.
Whenever people bring up that story about the bundle of sticks that held together would not break, they do not realise that anecdote is a popular one… in fascist circles.
The bundle of sticks itself represents “strength through unity” so I cringe whenever well-meaning people use the analogy without realising its context.
This notion that everyone needs to group together under a single banner or cause is problematic. Dissent is necessary and natural. The key challenge is to navigate differences instead of trying to whitewash them with twee slogans.
I do not believe Malaysians need to “unite.” Instead we need to learn to be more accepting and put a little more effort into figuring out how to live together without the use of subjugation.
There are Malaysians who actually think that what the Indonesians did a long time ago ― banning the use of Chinese names and languages ― was the right thing to do to foster unity by making everyone use the national language whether they wanted to or not.
Fast-forward decades later and how is that working out? You can take away their ethnic names and their right to display their ethnic differences, but you cannot erase an ethnicity.
