Culture of Demonization

It is very troubling to see that we Malaysians have lost our ability to have an objective discourse (or maybe we never had it; we just pretended we did). The instance we hear an idea or an opinion contrary to that of our own, we launch into a litany of personal attacks that seems to have the single minded purpose of demonizing the ‘perpetrator’. As the years go by, we Malaysians have become a defensive lot. We want the world to agree with our point of view but yet we refuse to accept theirs.

This is a legacy of the past. There was a time when we were made to believe that against all odds and contrary to historical facts, we were special. We could do no wrong as long as we bulldoze our way through things. When others don't see our point of view all that we have to do is shout louder and drown out dissenting voices. We are the special ones (apology to Jose). Malaysia Boleh! Over the years we began to believe this myth. We closed ourselves to thoughts and opinions contrary to our own. We became insulated and lost the skill and ability to argue our case in a logical and matured manner. We have lost our poise in victory and grace in defeat. We have become the ugly barbarian of the developing world. Look at the way our democratic social discourse struggling to stake its rightful place in our new democratic landscape. Issues of race and religion are being discussed and debated on a very myopic perspective. Are there not a single thinker in this country who can help us see beyond the obvious and help explore a wholly new thought pattern? Well, tell me if you find one.

We Malaysians are in grave danger. We are breeding a culture of blind acceptance and loyalty to ideas and opinions without first allowing for the winds of opposing views to blow freely into our minds and intellects. We are growing a culture and thinking style so insular that we will become intellectual outcasts. Our competitive edge in the coming years will be our ability to be creative and innovative but this will not come about from a closed mid-set. Creativity and innovativeness are a direct result of an open mind. A mind that is comfortable and at ease holding multiple views (some of which may be opposing to each other)until a coherent association is made between these multifarious views to produce a unique thought or idea.

We need to respect thoughts and differences in thoughts. We need to encourage a culture of independent thinking. We have to tolerate unpleasant discourse and we have to build our capacity to hear opposing views. Most importantly we have to be humble enough to admit that no knowledge is perfect no matter hour holy its source may be as the the bridge between this source and us is only man...mistake and failure prone man.

I wish we are humble enough to admit this.