I

ndonesia has won praise for protecting its pluralism, but the diverse cultures have enabled racism to rise and endanger unity.

There are many factors that can incite racism, although it can be solved by providing appropriate education to young generations. The lower the education level, the more prone a society is to racism.

The government has promoted nationalism and pluralism in school through civic education (PKN). But schools do not encourage students to practice tolerance and respect for differences in class.

 Nelson Mandela once said integrating heterogeneous people needed effective education to tolerate cultural differences.

There are two urgent steps the government has to take to promote pluralism and fight racism. First, revise the PKN subject to enable students to learn by doing. Second, intensify the state defense (Bela Negara) program, under which Indonesians from different backgrounds will gather to know each other and cooperate to face national challenges.

In eradicating racism, people do not need too many lessons and discussions, but real actions in their real life as part of society.

Rio Laksamana Prastya
Bantul, Yogyakarta