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Jakarta Post

Your letters: Words and their ugly connotations

Words like cina, bule and hitam are neutral until you use them to swear at people who are from those backgrounds

The Jakarta Post
Tue, April 1, 2014 Published on Apr. 1, 2014 Published on 2014-04-01T11:04:12+07:00

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W

ords like cina, bule and hitam are neutral until you use them to swear at people who are from those backgrounds. Misuse these words year in, year out and you see ugly connotations ingrained into them. Offensive words are born.

Instead of regulating which word to use, why not take a trip to England and learn from the English Premier League, where the slightest hint of racism is dealt with accordingly. Learn how the league applies the regulations it makes.

Anyway, whatever beautiful word you use is hypocritical if you maintain a racist view in your heart.


Kwa Wie Han
Jakarta

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