A Little Bit of America in All of Us
This article was published by The Jakarta Post on May 12, 2008. Read the article on The Jakarta Post, here.
Yes we hate America. We hate their stupid culture and we condemn their arrogance. George W. Bush is the worst American president and it’s so exciting that even most Americans think that way too. We curse at them when we see news on TV about Afghanistan and Iraq.
We feel offended when they call our Muslim brothers and sisters terrorists. Thus, some of us even praise Osama bin Laden for his notorious success in making America look like a fool.
We support every demonstration in front of the U.S. Embassy and burning their flag is fine because it’s a representation of our solidarity to those who are oppressed and poor.
And we wish someday we could have a president like Sukarno again who bravely said to America, “Go to hell with your aid!”
But shamefully, the reality is we actually love America so badly. We have to admit this fact.
Of course we do, that’s why there’s McDonald’s on every corner in Jakarta. Of course we do, that’s why Starbucks is the coolest place to hang out for young Indonesians in Jakarta. And of course we do, that’s why more and more young Indonesians in small cities dress themselves like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
Who doesn’t love American movies? At least I do. I love Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. I love Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese. In my opinion, Hollywood movies are the greatest heritage of American pop culture.
Let’s face it, we can’t avoid America. Especially the young ones. Everywhere we go and everytime we breath we see America with all its products and values.
Some of us can’t live without a computer and internet connection. We worship Bill Gates for inventing softwares that enable us to live so much easier.
Some of us can’t live without an iPod, the small gadget created by Steve Jobs has become part of our daily lives. And we use it to listen to our favorite American singers like Mariah Carey and Usher.
It’s inevitably to avoid America, you may say you hate it but deep down inside you know you love it too. At least you know you love their inventions on technology.
Believe it or not, even Indonesians who love to perform demonstrations on the streets and sometimes protest against American policies actually watch CNN to grasp some of America’s freedom of speech.
Don’t feel guilty if you’re one of them, I suggest you to smile and laugh. Forget all those radical comments. This is 21st century and it’s not the World War II. Don’t be afraid of all the threats that the radicals make because even radicals love to eat KFC’s chickens.
It’s fine to have a little bit of America in you. It’s fine to have a little bit of France or Japan in you. You shouldn’t be ashamed of yourself as long as the Indonesian factor in your blood dominates your way of thinking.
Having a little bit of something else from other countries gives you a better perspective in looking at this world. It also gives you the ability to make great changes to your community.
I encourage every young Indonesian who currently lives in a foreign land to learn new things as many as possible. If you live in an advanced country then you have a better chance to teach our people on how other culture can progress.
Let those Americans laugh thinking that we want to be like them, but let’s keep it inside that someday we will laugh together with them.
The picture above was taken from here.
Yeeyy … Pertama … !!!
Iya juga sih …
Seperti benci tapi cinta … hehe
Ngga semua hal bisa diprotes …
America? I hate their negative view about Islam and Muslim, they generalize Muslim all over the world as cruel and mean as terrorists or irresponsible and coward parties who concede themselves as Muslim.
I watched a local TV program on Metro TV about East-West Connection, about Islam and America, I think there are still many Americans who still afraid with Islam and Muslim (despite the fact of many people right now who become curious and interest to learn more about Islam since 911 tragedy) but there are still a lot of people who think that old-bored opinion on Islam.
Don’t forget about America’s attitude about Palestina-Israel.
I hate America because they don’t have clear vision (or they do, but won’t admit it?) about Islam, Muslim and issues related to them.
The rest, I love America, including Mc Donalds, Hollywood movies, their music genres, Holywood actors and actresses, Justin, Timbaland, New York City, their language too and so much more
The real issue is, why do we love American food, movies and technology.
Hidup Amerika!!!!
@gbm
in some points, i agree, but there are several things that i think your making it to general. for instance, i like starbucks because of their taste, is starbucks taste’s american? that means, american have their own flavor? i dont think so. starbucks is starbucks, american is…. just american. ipod is Steve Jobs, who happen to be a caucasian, but that doesnt make ipod american. it is the tools of the world.
about afganisthan and iraq
@gbm
in some points, i agree, but there are several things that i think your making it to general. for instance, i like starbucks because of their taste, is starbucks taste’s american? that means, american have their own flavor? i dont think so. starbucks is starbucks, american is…. just american. ipod is Steve Jobs, who happen to be a caucasian, but that doesnt make ipod american. it is the tools of the world.
about afganisthan and iraq, sincerely, i think that is not america, its George W. Bush. Its quite dissapointing that a well-advanced country is lead by a primitive like him. but, i say that’s politics. you never can figure them out.
my point is, you have to seperate issues between a race and a person who happen to be at the right time and place. its not because one’s statement or act, should we make a reference for….
*gasp* i’m taking this too seriously am i? hahahahaahaha… sori tas… sori…..
@yonna
like i said, let’s not generalate things here, yon….
you dont like islam being accused as the religion of terrorist because what osama bin laden had perform, right?
piss yo!!!!
aha, interesting topic, can’t help to give more comments
i want to give my opinion on this:
“I encourage every young Indonesian who currently lives in a foreign land to learn new things as many as possible. If you live in an advanced country then you have a better chance to teach our people on how other culture can progress.”
Fully agree! But i want to ask you and other netters who live/stay abroad too. Before you tell us -the locals who always have a dream to go and stay abroad like me- that advanced culture above, what would you do before telling that, I ask you:
1. Could you distinguish which one is new, useful and positive advanced culture and vice versa?
2. Do you lay a filter device on your open-minded mind (furqan ability)?
Please answer precisely and wisely. My queries are not made to mock or laugh or judge anybody here moreover just proving I’m so jealous.
I’m wondering because many people who ever lived/stayed or are yet still living abroad, seem over-permissive with new culture they got and dump the original notion they have been learning when were still living in Indonesia and consider them as old-fashioned one. Then they began to judge us -the dreamer- as retarded people.
Not all done that, I appreciate and glad seeing my friends still humble and keep their same old culture they think it is positive and worth enough to believe. Okey, they’ve changed but they are still nice friends.
Thanks
@Kang Mas Ary
I don’t blame Usamah bin Ladin, because I’m not sure does he really really really fully responsible for disasters done by terrorist.
As usual, I choose not to mention any name here, thank you
@yonna
I understand that you do not want to point your finger to someone’s nose, but Usamah bin Laden had admit that he is the man behind the 9/11 scene. the press confrence was worldwide. so i guess i have the right to say, that he is a terrorist, eventhough perhaps he is not the only one.
i say he is responsible for the 9/11 disaster (its a singluar not a plural word) and other terrorist act that he admit.
you -of all people- surely know that, admitting something means that (the person who admit) are responsible for the act that he/ she perform. period.
Perhaps, from your point of view, (I’m not sure does he really really really fully responsible for disasters done by terrorist) what usamah had done are a reaction from something, but still, i say that does not gave him any rights to perform 9/11.
But, generally, i agree of not mentioning people’s name here. so from now on, i will not mention any.
thanks.
to yonna (again)
ummmm….
btw, i think my english are not as advance as yours. i seem not to understand what are you trying to say on May 7th, 2008 at 1:58 pm.
may i know it in Bahasa, please?
Haha, I have seen one picture of FPI members demonstrating against America but he wore Chuck-Taylor All Star.
It is all about westernization and modernization. Yes, I do praise those great American inventors, technologies and products for making our life better and easier. Some Indonesians might hate America, but they also want to be modernized and make better living. The point here is that, being modernized does not necessarily mean being westernized. I guess Americans’ mistake is that they think we will support them and want to be like them just because we consume their goods.
@yuki tobing
hahahaha… its true, its true…
related to that, i sincerely believes that often, most indonesian’s react of something they trully dont know. they fought well, but they doesnt know what the sole purposes of the fight they perform. some people in fact, fought for nothing in return to their favor. which from my point of view, silly.
we are so easy to be influenced, indicating the weakness of our knowledge and education. *sigh*
that’s why we should support tasa’s movement “JBRB” isnt it? =)
@Kang Mas Ary
my english? gramatically disaster maksut loh?! tapi grammar errornya udah advanced level alias parah banget ya hahahaha.
Aku terjemahin poin yang ini:
“Fully agree! But i want to ask you and other netters who live/stay abroad too. Before you tell us -the locals who always have a dream to go and stay abroad like me- that advanced culture above, what would you do before telling that, I ask you:
1. Could you distinguish which one is new, useful and positive advanced culture and vice versa?
2. Do you lay a filter device on your open-minded mind (furqan ability)?
Please answer precisely and wisely. My queries are not made to mock or laugh or judge anybody here moreover just proving I’m so jealous.
I’m wondering because many people who ever lived/stayed or are yet still living abroad, seem over-permissive with new culture they got and dump the original notion they have been learning when were still living in Indonesia and consider them as old-fashioned one. Then they began to judge us -the dreamer- as retarded people.
Not all done that, I appreciate and glad seeing my friends still humble and keep their same old culture they think it is positive and worth enough to believe. Okey, they’ve changed but they are still nice friends.”
Terjemahan bebas:
Saya menanggapi omongan Tasa yang ini “I encourage every young Indonesian who currently lives in a foreign land to learn new things as many as possible. If you live in an advanced country then you have a better chance to teach our people on how other culture can progress.”
Tasa bilang -menurut pemahaman gue- mendukung anak muda Indonesia yang tinggal di LN untuk mengajarkan hal baru, budaya maju dan bagaimana budaya lain bisa maju sebanyak mungkin kepada orang Indonesia yang tinggal di Indonesia.
Trus gue jadi inget kalo hal positif di atas suka diartikan sebagai kesempatan buat snob dan bener2 menganggap kita ini bodoh aja. Alih-alih berbagi malah belagu. Namun saya gak menggeneralisir semuanya sejelek itu, toh temen2 saya baek dan santai aja, saya sering dapat cerita baru dan menarik dari temen2 yang mengalaminya, sampe minta foto pemandangan segala hehe.
Trus apakah mereka sudah mampu memilah mana budaya maju yang positif dan bermanfaat dan mana yang cuma hal negatif, secara mereka yang tinggal di LN pasti lebih open-minded, nah sejauh mana mereka mampu memilahnya, kadang semuanya diterima tanpa dipahami dan difilter terlebih dahulu. Kalo gitu adanya, yang ada elu cuma nyebarin hal negatif akhirnya. Kira-kira gitu terjemahan denotatif nya, terima kasih
*twink-twink*
*masih ga ngerti penjelasannya*
hwuahahahahhahahhahahahahahah
ya udah deh… pokoknya gitu yah…. =P
ya udah ya udah………
*ga tau nih otak lagi ga kompak ma niat*
maap ya yonn… maap….. *menundukkan muka*
Tasa, nice opening dude !!
hihihihi..
your article reminds me of Rammstein’s song. a German group sang a very famous song (mix in english and german) in 2004-until now we still sing it as a satire expression to the situation you wrote above….
We’re all living in America,
Amerika is wunderbar.
We’re all living in America,
Amerika, Amerika.
with very hilarious video..
wana smile? watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYwlRH7R6DE
nicely written post. both sides of the arguments are well supported…
“Who doesn’t love American movies? At least I do. I love Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. I love Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese. In my opinion, Hollywood movies are the greatest heritage of American pop culture.”
It’s Ronald Reagan’s fault, you know. He was the one who urged American movie industry to spread the American culture throughout the world through the movies
And uhm … you like Mariah Carey?? tsk tsk … cannot imagine you singing along to one of her songs.
Wait, I can actually. Mwekeke.
Hi Tasa, I hope third time’s the charm
Nice article, well written, inspired me to do mine (titled My feelings towards America)
We have somewhat different point of view, but similarly well-meaning. So I guess that is an accord on something.
I have a link to your article in the post, and being good mannered that I am today, I wish to let you know.
ps: I tried to reply to areta in the discussion in Fitna, but after endless typing, I posted it but it didn’t appear. Basically, I am not running away from the discussion but simply cannot post my reply. Areta if you are here, if you would like, we could continue the discussion in my blog, in the guestbook. I have made that for anyone who wishes to have a discussion. But if you prefer to stop and just accept that we have different opinions on things, that is ok too.
Have a nice weekend all!
I think we still have a ways to go before we are able to stop overgeneralizing anything, perhaps it’s human nature to do so?
America is more than just its politics. There are layers upon layers of humanity intertwined within the general America we are so ready to condemn due to negative media exposure based on the actions/whims of individuals, a certain group, a movie, etc.
There’s the America of a Mr/Mrs. Smith who lives in Massachussetts who are now struggling, like you and I, to put food on the table. Through this experience they have learned, and avowed, to be more giving once they are back on their feet.
There’s the America who brought together women of different cultures to sit and talk about commonalities they all share, in the midst of striking differences that have been hijacked by extremists using it to wage war against their perceived enemy.
There’s the America of two girls who were moved by Hurricane Katrina and started their own foundation to help other children suffering from the aftermath of the storm.
Again, America is more than just Ipods, McDonalds, Starbucks. They, to me, do not, and cannot, define America, despite them synonymous with “America” due to globalization. To think in these terms, is to think like the government officials who banned French Fries, French wine, or French any thing because it came from France. or they thought they were from France.
To consume, to use, to like things made or promoted by American companies does not mean we want to be American, nor does it make us American. Being an American, or even Indonesian, is more than just using or consuming products. It is also more than just having a piece of paper that officially denotes our nationality/citizenship.
Until we realize that, we will then never make progress as we wil always be stuck in the “ehh loe sok bule ah….sok orang Indo ah…” mode that will only impede our development as we push ourselves, and other people, into the identity quandary many of us fall into. And it is this predicament that propels us to become susceptible to influences that deter us from a productive path as we’re always trying to prove ourselves, trying to fit in somewhere, as we have become uncomfortable with who we are, what we like, and even how we feel.
Mbak Yonna, kalo dari yg saya lihat dan amati, banyak dari kita, terutama anak2 muda, mengalami culture shock pas datang kesini, apalagi kalo datang kesini sudah lumayan berumur. Bahkan anak2 Indonesia yg lahir dan/atau besar disinipun juga mengalami culture shock dimana mereka berusaha untuk mengimbangi budaya baru mereka dengan budaya lama keluarga.
Nah faktor yg bisa membuat transisi baek kepada budaya baru adalah support group yg kuat yg terdiri dari keluarga, terutama, dan teman2. Hanya identitas yg kuatlah yg bisa mengatasi culture shock ini, dan untuk banyak orang untuk mendirikan identitas yg kuat adalah suatu hal yg susah dan perlu waktu lama.
Pergaulan sini banyak sekali goda2an yg sangat menarik bagi pendatang2 baru, terutama karena ortu jauh dst. Sama juga seperti anak2 Amrik sini yg masuk kuliah tanpa ortu karena tinggal di dormitory sendiri. Untuk mereka berhasil lulus dengan baek, mereka perlu dukungan yg kuat supaya identitas mereka tetap utuh dan mereka tak gampang terpengaruh oleh goda2an yg ada.
Dan justru kita bisa sukses di budaya baru kalo kita juga “embrace” kebaekan2 dari budaya baru kita ini supaya kita bisa berfungsi di lingkungan baru. Kalo kita tetap bersikeras gak mau mengenal budaya baru karnea ketakutan yg berlebih2an maka kita malah mempersulit diri sendiri dan juga tak akan maju2.
Makanya para anak2 kita yg telah lahir dan/atau besar disini lagi usaha untuk membimbing para adik2 mereka supaya mereka tak jatuh banyak2 seperti mereka, dan supaya ortu2 mengerti bagaimana membesarkan anak2 di sini. Karena tak sama, ada caranya sendiri, dan butuh kesabaran dan keteguhan yg banyak.
Izmi: Setuju.
Yunir: Maybe you can answer that question bro
bukangukguk: Hidup juga!
ary: To say Starbucks is not American flavor is like saying nasi pecel is not Indonesian flavor. Of course coffee was not invented in America, but the concept of Starbucks was invented in America. And as a marketing person I know for sure that people don’t buy Starbucks just because it tastes nice. The whole concept is made in America.
Yes Steve Jobs is a White person, a White person living in America. Do you think he would’ve still created iPod if he wasn’t American? I don’t think so.
Yuki: That’s a good point bro. You have raised a very important issue.
Yonna: Kalau menjadi belagu dan sok Amerika jelas salah dan tidak sesuai dengan anjuran saya. Sebelumnya saya menyebutkan di dalam artikel bahwa selama kita memiliki “Indonesia Factor” yang mendominasi pikiran kita maka itu tidak apa-apa.
Harriansyah: Thanks bro.
M: I never thought you like that kind of song. Hehe. You rock!
Toshihiko: Terima kasih.
Therry: Me singing Mariah’s song? Whahaha.
rimafauzi: Thanks for the support. I encourage you to try to put another comment on my article “Fitna” since you’ve been having a nice discussion with Areta.
ns: Thanks for your nice comment, like always. I agree America is more than those things, but those simple things are probably the closest American influence that people in Indonesia can feel. We’re making BBQ pretty soon, hope you can come. I’ll let you know
@NS
makasih ma penjelasannya. sebaiknya tiap anak Indonesia yang merantau ke Luar Negeri tetep menjaga dirinya baik-baik. karena di pergaulan, suka ada yang berubah jadi sombong dan nganggep kita-kita yang masih di Indo itu sebagai orang yang gak gaul, kuno, gak up to date, dll yang jelaslah bikin gak nyaman dan siapa sih yang mau bergaul ma orang kaya gitu?! Mungkin iya juga kita ini gak se-gaul dia, dll tapi kalo kitanya gak belagu ma dia kenapa dia gituin kita? Just thought, saya suka emosi ma unfairness thing, padahal hidup ini emang berisi hal-hal unfair dan disitulah saya harus lebih sabar menghadapi ketidak fairan tsb.
Thanks for giving nice reply to me, your words such a music to my ear
@Tasa
curhat kok, curhat, sumpe deh. I got the point. Kalo aja Amerika tidak membenci dan memerangi Islam dan Muslim, my love will be completely 100%. Kita butuh Amerika, kita butuh produknya, kita butuh teknologinya, meski cuma bisa ngomel melihat kesombongan mereka, tapi kita gak bisa apa-apa tanpa mereka. sungguh memalukan emang. makanya saya gak mau bilang anti amerika, cuma sebel ma beberapa kelakuan mereka. I hope you get my real point too, thanks
@ARY
i haven’t answer your previous reply, sorrryyyy:
“i say he is responsible for the 9/11 disaster (its a singluar not a plural word) and other terrorist act that he admit.”
OK he admitted it, but i still doubt about the real truth. sigh, don’t know which one is, Usamah or not, I disagree crime against humanity for whatsoever reason
sekali lagi hidup PakDhe Sam!!!!
ga bisa ngebayangin dunia tanpa UncleSam, pasti garingk…..
Philem2 Hollywood jadi senjata makan tuan,,,…. propaganda tiada ampunnnnn….
fiuuuuhhhh,,,, coba smua philem kayak HomeAlone……
mas Tasa, tolong mbak Yonna di kipasi….
dah keluar asap tu di kepala beliau,,
biar adil, gimana kalo mbak Yonna diajak mampir ke kotanya mas Tasa yang sekarang…..
pis.
udah lama gak mampir.. hehehe…
kak rima, ditunggu2 ternyata gak bisa reply toh… tar eike cek lagi deh..
kak tasa, ini gara2 globalisasi… akhirnya orang2 dari negara mana pun akan punya sedikit partikel dari negara2 lain dalam dirinya. seperti kata kak rasa, yang penting identitasnya sendiri gak ilang ajah!
Tasa my dear, I’m soo very happy for you. This article is superb, another published. Also I appreciate your support in our “perjuangan” to create a multicultural Indonesia. Without Tasa, the world is such a quiet and boring place to be. I thank God for having Tasa in our lives.
@bukan guk guk
emangnya saya arang apa? hohohoh. justru saya girang banget jalan-jalan ke Amrik, tapi maunya sih NYC, kalo DC kata mereka2 yang pernah ke sana gak gitu seru, malah cenderung kaku, mau seru-seruan itu ke NYC hehe
@tasa
selamet ya dimas, you already born as an op-ed writer
wait…..op-ed writer? do you treat your thesis as an op-ed writing too?
salam for all.
hi how are mr tasa. you seem to be more creative and expressive day by day as well as productive in producing article which is provocative to think. well done!!
i basically agree with what you have expressed in this posting.
as Indonesian, i like using internet which is come from the west, in particular America. but, in the same time, some of us (Indonesian people) condemn America for their foreign policy which is aggressive to other country. it is just like they want to monopolize the world.
opsss…but any way, i like this writing.
this comment is still comma..because my friend want to use my computer.
to be continue.
ahmad
sooooooo… if we like america for whatever reasons, why are we still targeting americans who live or on vacation in indonesia, especially jakarta? i can’t take my children who are half indonesian half american visiting jakarta because i have to worry whether the airport or the mall is going to have yet another bomb threat or not. or kidnapped.
will the hatred go away? i know it’s a hard question to answer.
can’t get the american government, then target the civillian?
we are pathetically brain-washed.
Yonna: Ok deh yang curhat. Hehe. I do understand what you feel.
bukangukguk: Ide yang bagus tuh.
Areta: Iya benar sekali, namanya juga era globalisasi yah. Gak mungkin kalau tidak dipengaruhi oleh budaya-budaya lain, yang penting kita tidak lupa dari mana kita berasal.
Jen: That’s a huge compliment, and you know how much I appreciate your support. I thank you back for having you in my life. Thanks Mba!
ahmad: Thanks bro. I’ll be waiting for your continued comment.
dinysays: Indonesia isn’t that bad. Trust me. I used to take my half-British niece to the mall and no one tried to kidnap her. They actually loved her and tried to kiss her. Hehe.
Personally I don’t hate American. I hate it when they start acting like the world police and getting involved in other countries’ issues for their own benefits (read: money). Wondering why they haven’t said anything about Tibet and why haven’t done anything to Burmese government. Yet it’s Iraq and Iraq and wait, is it time to turn to Iran now?
Upps sorry. Should be personally I don’t hate America.
When we discuss about America, I think we have to make it clear that there’s a big difference between “country’s political view” and “people’s relationship”. Lot’s of muslims, especially in a country like Indonesia and some mid-east, hate America because of their unbalance political view. I hate almost every American president who did everything against international rules only to claim their superiority in controlling the world, no matter whether they right or wrong.
About american people and its relationship with us, off course we cannot blame them just because of their government’s act. I like Starbuck, I use microsoft, I watch hollywood’s movie, etc. I have some american’s pals, and we have a good relationship although I hate their country’s government. Is it a problem? I dont think so
salam for all
yes, I think america is worsen by bush’s action which is arrogant to other country, or even controlling them.
I have a question why american government often looks so tempted to dominate other country like Iraq or support Israel to destroy Palestina country. I know that the discourse of democracy come from America, but why american government destroyed the spirit of democray with their aggression to other country. No wonder, people said that american government has a double standar in this issue. So I just hope that the next american president will make american face and policy more friendlier and human to the world. I don’t hate american people but I strongly disagree with their policy which is exploiting other country
Mbak Yonna, aku ikut donk ke NYC-nya….
Kata bapakku:
“Indonesia bisa aja jd kayak Amrik, tungguin aj waktunya kita baru 63 taon merdeka,, lha Amerika kan uda ratusan taon…”
@bang Ahmad
Setuju bang, PakDhe Sam tu kayak nelen ludah sendiri…