It is very hard for me to understand why fellow Indonesians consider us, West Papuans, as knowing nothing.

They mock us as “monkeys” when our popular soccer team, Persipura, plays in Surabaya, Malang, Jakarta, Bandung and Makassar. Is it because they have a different skin color to us? Those Indonesians themselves make this judgment. They make these differences. But let me tell you this: even though West Papuans may be stupid, they know that ethnically they are Melanesians, not Indonesians.

West Papuans know that Indonesians and Malaysians speak almost the same language, have a similar physical appearance, but still claim they are different from one another. West Papuans know that South Koreans and North Koreans speak almost the same language, but they still claim they are different.

(By Izak Morin, Jayapura)

Your comments:   

I used to live in Papua. I know very well that Indonesians everywhere — be in Papua and other parts of Indonesia — are mostly nationalistic. It is evident from every general election in Indonesia that nationalist-based political parties are more popular than ethnic- or religious-based parties.

It is therefore quite irresponsible for the police to ignore a provocative act such as the raising of the separatist West Papua flag, as it will create only tension and clashes, which are not in the best interests of the people in general.

Like in any parts of Indonesia, the protection of human rights in Papua is not perfect yet, but there are plenty of avenues to channel the aspirations and grievances without resorting to violent and provocation.

A free media and the right to conduct demonstrations are equally protected under Indonesian law. It is only reasonable for all of us to give all people living in Papua the opportunity to live in peace and harmony.

Victor
Manado

 
I totally agree with Morin. I am Indonesian and I have lived and worked in the Melanesian part of the South Pacific. I am fortunate to have been exposed to the wonderful Melanesian culture and tradition.

In these sovereign Melanesian states, the people are proud of their culture and identity.

I feel saddened looking at my Papuan brothers and sisters who, by some majority-ethnic Indonesians, are preconditioned and made to feel ashamed of their own culture and identity.

I have heard from very educated (Western) Indonesians (some working in distinguished institutions) insulting comments about the West Papuans from their skin, hair and work ethics to their attitude toward alcohol. Cultural hegemony is as condemnable as political and economic hegemony.

Eating rice rather than sago, having straight rather than curly hair, fair rather than dark skin does not make one of higher social stature. I have never encountered a culture so rich in tradition, so loyal and full of love and respect as the Melanesian culture.

Flabber
London

This opinion is misguided. By using what supporters say in football stadiums as evidence of collective racism is highly challengeable. If you know what happens in Indonesia with regard to ethnicity, mocking each other is usual. Of course, in such a situation some people do actually think as they say, but most do it just to make the others “feel down”, just like the prejudice from the British to the Germans for example.

Making fun of each other is a daily occurrence among Indonesians, though not a good habit. Expressing this in a football match is not wise, I agree. But I cannot see any link to racism, only to Papuans. I repeat that Melanesian culture is part of Indonesian culture.  

Much prehistoric and historic evidence show this. And, may I say to you Morin, instead of saying, “Ooh, we are different from you guys”, why don’t you show other Indonesians, “Look, you are not so different than the rest of us!”

Djaka
Yogyakarta
 

All of your statements above are true, however, not all Indonesian look down on Papuans. I’m not sure, but it is like a bad habit, for example, I often see Javanese mocking Maduranese, and Maduranese mocking Bataks.

However, upon reading the article I felt I had to express my feeling about Papuans. I have a lot of Papuan friends on my campus, I love the way they dress, I love Papeda and Jagung Bose like crazy and I even promised my Papuan friends that, after I graduate, I will find a job and settle there.

Cholis
Malang, East Java

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