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Independence for the nation, independence for women?
After 75 years of “independence” women still seem to be very much “the second sex”.
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Dancing queens: Dancers dressed in traditional costumes take part in a flashmob organized by Belantara Budaya Indonesia Foundation in Jakarta on Aug. 15. The event was held to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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wo days ago, Indonesia celebrated its semi-sesquicentennial anniversary. Yup, that’s a fancy name for 75, which like 40, 50, 60 is also considered a landmark birthday.
Big celebration! Yaaay! Nah, not in these COVID days! However, I reckon my neighborhood unit (RW) did better than the celebration at the Presidential Palace, which only had 20 people present and was conducted virtually. Over 50 of us residents of my housing complex, all clad in red and white did a 45 (symbolic of 1945 of course!) minute morning walk around the complex, ending in a flag-saluting ceremony, singing the national anthem Indonesia Raya and sharing snacks and drinks afterward. Simple, heartfelt, and unthinkingly and symbolically standard.
Anniversaries are actually an opportunity for reflection, and even more so in these pandemic times. As one of the memes I received via WhatsApp said, “Bertanya setiap 17 Agustus, apa arti merdeka?” (Let’s ask ourselves every Aug. 17, what does independence/freedom mean?).
Invariably we sink into nostalgia, especially about what our freedom fighters sacrificed (often their lives), which enabled Sukarno-Hatta to declare Indonesia’s independence in 1945. Great, but let’s not get trapped in a sentimental-ridden time warp year in year out shall we?
Recently Kamala Harris made history by being the first female United States vice-presidential candidate of color: Asian (Indian mother) as well as black (Jamaican father). Even before that, Harris had achieved a lot of firsts: the first black female district attorney for San Francisco and the first African-American of Indian origin to serve in the Senate Chamber. If and when she becomes vice president, she would be the first woman, the first African-American woman, the first Indian-American and the first Asian-American.
Truly inspiring! Not just for women, but for minorities which as we know are getting a rough deal not just in the US but also worldwide, including in Indonesia. I wonder if ever the day will come when the US will have a transgender Muslim president of color? Now that’ll be the day!
Harris’ selection as vice-presidential candidate, and also her achievements in general, made me think, what has been Indonesian women’s role in our national development, and what is our lot now after 75 years of independence?
