The Disjuncture Between Perceptions and Real Abilities

The act of ‘Judging’ is one which is very human amongst us humans.

We judge almost all the time. We judge others based on how and what we perceived them to be. We judge based on our previous encounters and experiences with them – although sometimes these encounters were deep and significant while at other times these were merely superficial and short. But we still judge nonetheless.

I was recently humoured during the recent nation-wide election held at my very dear country. This is the time when we citizens get to exercise our judgment by judging the different political parties involved – all hotly competing to win over some limited but significant seats in the parliament. And our duty is to vote for the parties and individuals whom we perceived to possess the abilities to help guide the nation’s journey for the next 5 years at least. One party kept on insisting that we exercise our judgment carefully by judging the parties based on their ‘track-record’.

Now in one look, it seems like a normal thing to do. But if one is more sensitive, one will realize that a good ‘track-record’ does not necessarily equate to a good performance for the present day and for the future. Different times will entail different situations and environment and will require different measures. A student of History should know very well THAT basic principle of life. Frequently we learnt in History that many a times different authoritarian leaders rose up to power due to different reasons. Countries too went to war because of varying complicating circumstances and factors. They just aren’t the same. Generalization did not do much to help us in our analysis. Period. Thus, being able to overcome past challenges is one story but the future challenges sure are different in many aspects. So how could one judge and perceive that some individuals or groups have what it takes to ride on the waves of the nation’s future just based on the successes of the past?

This issue is increasingly troubling as I ponder deeper. The question that strikes deep is why do humans always keep to the same people and the same ‘tried and tested’ route in their selection for the best man/woman/way to do a job well-done? Why do the same individuals always get a chance to display their capabilities whilst in so doing, serves also to deprive others (who are perhaps less well-known) from the opportunity to show what they may be capable of? It is like a question of why do sons and daughters of kings and emperors always too often rise to fame and given glorious positions in society whilst sons and daughters of farmers often remain to be a ‘mediocre’ and almost unnoticeable in society – regardless of whether they are blessed with potentials.

The end result of such a stark and rigid cycle where the rich and the famous got richer and more famous is not so much that one group will be more privileged and the other more disadvantaged. Consequently, it is a lose-lose situation for the society as a whole since the rich and famous, in taking up significant positions ,would consequently be burdened to conform to the ‘tried and tested’ route for fear of being judged under the societal gaze while the farmers remained, yes.. a mediocre. Both cases show the burden of individuals all essentially conforming to an accepted although unspoken societal caste system and in so doing, sacrificed the possible human potentials and treasures which they may each possessed but unfortunately remained to be buried and undiscovered. Of course there are bound to have some individuals who somehow fought and bled to get out of conformity. They were the lucky ones who finally unburdened themselves from the societal gaze and expectations. They were the lucky ones who somehow did manage to discover the precious talents which they possessed and have been blessed with. However they still remain to be the countable minority…

And at the end of the day, can we really blame the leaders if they continuously asked us to look at “track-records”? Honestly, do you think they will use that method if the society will not be lured by it in the first place? Honestly, do you think that we have somehow indirectly given them the mandate to do so…? Honestly, do you…?

The Rich: His future already predetermined since young.

The Ordinary: Mediocre in Life.

History is Irrelevant?

A colleague asked me this question quite recently “Why do you study History? What’s so good about History? It’s all about the past and it’s not like as if we humans learn any lesson from the past. The past is almost dead. I find Geography more practical and meaningful. History is quite irrelevant.”

I was a bit taken aback by the comment. Indeed I have always believed in History as a subject and a discipline. History is so ingrained in me - so great a part of my identity - that I cannot foresee how one can ever perceive it to be contrary to what I see to be ‘meaningful’ and ‘relevant’. Questions aroused in me following his comment and it did take me quite a few weeks to settle down and get over his comment and properly pen (or type) this entry down and post it here on my blog.

So what is it in History for me?

I can think of two.

First, History arms one with many ‘Windows to the World’.

And second, History is simply… ‘Humanity Education’.

History has indeed been my “Windows to the World”. These many windows journeyed me to the world of the past and it transported me to the world outside my own country today. If I was once stripped off any cash and travelling was out of the question, History could enlighten and enrich me nevertheless. It certainly makes my world a colorful one.

To put it simply, History transforms me into a little child, curious and hungry for knowledge without any preconceived notion of what I am about to learn/ discover. These windows which I mentioned are like a playground for my exploration and discovery of fellow humans together with their beliefs and cultures. It is a pretty humbling experience if you ask me for it is an avenue for me to appreciate the way of life of others. It certainly could make one less ‘sino-centric’ or ‘ethno-centric’ - thinking that the world revolves only around oneself or worse, thinking that one’s world is indeed the Universe itself.

Through History, one reaches the understanding that human beings are similar and different at the same time and that the differences are something that is a cause worthy of appreciation and respect (i.e. there’s nothing wrong with being different…in fact that differences should be celebrated upon for it creates a world with a plethora of vibrant colours). Failing to appreciate the value of History could create people or worse, leaders who are seriously obnoxious - going around with their nose up high and claiming loudly without even blinking their eyes that their ethnic/racial genes are far superior to others. History makes one less judgmental, more inclusive, educated in a ‘refined’ way and most importantly prevents one from making a mockery of oneself.

In addition, I too believe that History makes one more of a ‘human’ who thinks and empathises. I refer to Aristotle’s wise words below:

“If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development.”

Many conflicts continue to exist today due to the world leaders’ inability to understand the root cause of the conflict/s (i.e. history itself). People fight not because of what just happened a moment ago but due to growing memories of events and the pain and violation that have been inflicted upon them, their close ones and their ancestors and heritage over years, decades and sometimes centuries. History makes one think and search deeper in trying to find the reasons behind problems and the value of human lives. It is a real subject. It is explicitly real in portraying the capabilities and hubris of being human – blatantly acknowledging the good and the evil that reside in each and every human being, myself included. Actions – good or bad – that were done up by historical figures became a mirror for us, a reflection of our own potential, making us more conscious of our identity and our actions which could bring about consequences to our surrounding. Such emotive understanding of events and people around us makes History even more an advocate of humanity by championing humane actions and understanding.

So why History? I say the discipline, rigor and the tedious process of studying History, asking deep questions on one’s own principles and values in analyzing events and the process of penning it down into words and sentences nurtures Humanity. If one says that History is the past and is henceforth long dead, one then seems to imply that Humanity has long been dead and the world today has no place for Humanity. Has humanity long deemed as irrelevant and impractical in this seemingly ‘modern’, technological and scientific world? Isn’t the main purpose of education to make one a refined humane being? Or have we long abandoned all that for the paper-chase, power, money and the superficial accolades. At the end of the day, one is bound to perceive History differently in terms of its relevance today - but perhaps for those who view it as relevant, they probably have gotten themselves some really sophisticated and refined education to have reached such a deep and intense level of understanding. For those who have not seen the light yet, waddle on, keep on going and hopefully you will see some light.

The Invented 'Ghosts' Within Us

Melancholy - China

Ghosts have a way of invoking our imagination and our feelings. I’m sure many of us have not really encountered ghosts in our lives before yet isn’t it very impressive how vivid our imagination could create the image of a ghost - scary, terrorizing, gruesome and beyond human’s control and comprehension since ghosts essentially belong to the realm of ‘the other’? The point to emphasize here is that although we do acknowledge their existence in our world, the general take is that it is best that ghosts remain separate and non-integrated from us, humans.

The idea of ‘ghosts’ indeed is a discourse in itself. It reveals the intrinsic nature of human - fearful of anything different, unpredictable and anything that can run amok. Thus the concept of ‘ghosts’ is used quite often today, by individuals and politicians alike, not only to reflect one’s own fear against anything different and intimidating but also to artificially and purposely create an atmosphere of terror so as to reinforce the ‘separate-ness‘ and ‘non-integrated-ness’ of ‘ghosts’ from the rest of ‘mankind’. This is conjured that in so doing, unity and integration of the rest of mankind is enhanced in the face of a common enemy - ghosts.

Today, a ‘ghost’ in the guise of ‘Muslims‘ is created almost everywhere around the world. Politicians and the media are quite united in their endeavor to deliberately represent Muslims as queer, intimidating and ‘difficult to tame’ as they are increasingly associated with ‘ghostly’ characteristics and values mentioned above. Take the following quote as an example:

“I would say today, we can integrate all religions and races except Islam [...] “I think we were progressing very nicely until the surge of Islam came and if you asked me for my observations, the other communities have easier integration — friends, intermarriages and so on…I think the Muslims socially do not cause any trouble, but they are distinct and separate.”

Ghosts = Anything 'different' and incomprehensible

The controversial quote above are words by a prolific leader - known for his ingenious nation-building policies. His words comes at a no less than appropriate time - what with the fresh outbreak of unrests in the Muslim world of Cairo and the court trial of Indonesia’s so-called Muslim cleric, Abu Bakar Bashir. In the midst of all these, we still have those concerning the Al-Qaeda, the Taliban force, the Palestine-Israel conflict, the India-Pakistan’s conflict with regards to Kashmir and nearer home, the Jemaah Islamiyah Organization.

Indeed they all seem to have something in common - Muslims are dangerous. But are all these fears towards Muslims justified? Perhaps so. You see if all Muslims look like Osama Bin Laden or the Ayatollah dude - spotting extremely, extremely big, sharp dark eyes, frizzy and curly hair akin to Einstein but perhaps worse, since the same frizzy curls are found all over the face and framing the ooh-not-so-sexy-lips - not only would that image send a baby wailing uncontrollably like as if he/she just saw a real ghost, but even I, as an adult lady, would tremble in fear for the first thought that comes to my mind is that THAT just looks very “chee-ko-pek-ish” (a local slang for a ‘leering old man’).

Bin Laden

But what if the percentage of Muslims who look as freaky as Bin Laden is pretty much minute and insignificant? What if most Muslims are not so scary as they have been made to look like? I’m sure thus far no Muslim relatives of mine look anywhere near Bin Laden. In fact some of the Muslims I know of are not even anywhere near the look of Einstein since they are unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) bald and lacked any hair to speak of in the first place. What if there is a deeper agenda? What if the government is faced with a crisis and conveniently used Muslims as a pawn to solve their problems?

Referring to the quote above, it seems like the leader who said it was well-aware of a serious challenge that his nation is currently faced with - the non-receptive attitude among locals towards the rising number of foreigners. Now these foreigners were not ordinary immigrants. They were welcomed and treasured by the government for their perceived talents to boost the country’s growth, especially in the economic sphere. The locals instead blamed the foreigners for locals’ unemployment henceforth, show their hostility through the act of discriminating and segregating the foreigners. Indeed it is troubling how a lack of integration between the ‘locals’ and ‘foreigners’ could harm the very foundation (i.e. unity) of the ‘imagined community’ that the leaders in the concerned country have all along been creating. It was under that pretext that the quote was issued and Muslims in the country, who have faired the worst and contributed the least to the country’s economy, became a convenient common ‘enemy’ within the country so as to reinforce integration between the other locals with the foreigners.

The victims? The Muslims definitely for they now not only are given a new identity that of a ‘ghost’ but with that new identity comes new labeling socially, politically and economically - indeed a hot breeding bed for legalized discrimination. I say from the look of it, the Muslims is in for a speedy downhill ride and with that coming their way, who wouldn’t be surprised if Muslims really live to become dangerous ghosts plagued by social malaise as self-fulfilling prophecy began its work?

Is there a solution to all these? Perhaps yes there is but it would require more work in a formulaic-theoretical (read: science- and math- driven) society. For as long as a society is concerned mostly on the numbers, the graphs and the demands and supply, the people then became less of a human with heart, ready to be machines of the government to maneuver and control. In that kind of society, humanity also becomes somewhat compromised to the extent that people need to be told to be gracious as evident from campaigns such as “Do not Litter”, “Kindness Begins With me”, “Stop Bus Captain Abuse” etc.. What we really need is genuine human beings who control their own mind, heart and actions for them not to be puppets of those in power and for them to be aware and sensitive of their environment.

A good friend, Kavitha, said this to me recently - that “Arts is important as it is the future for humanity.” I say I couldn’t agree more with it. Do you?

I Love.... Food!

The Parental Unit left for Penang during the long weekend. I was tasked to look after the home and my younger brother. So I took this opportunity to whip up some vegetarian fare. I started off baking my own rendition of Chai Coffee Cake. I then made the Spicy Potato and Vegetable Curry to go with rice (though I would advice readers to use brown rice for a healthier choice). I've also included the recipe of Cinnamon Roll in this entry.

Chai Coffee Cake

Ingredients

Topping:

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup molasses

3 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

330g flour

115g butter, melted and cooled slightly

Cake:

400g flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

160g butter, room temperature

100g sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 tablespoon coffee powder

160g low-fat natural youghurt

Instructions

Preheat oven. Lightly greased the baking tin.

Making the Topping (i.e. Crumbs):

In a medium bowl, combine all topping ingredients except butter and mixed well.

Gradually stir in the melted butter, using a large fork or spatula to mix. When all the butter has been incorporated and the mixture looks like wet sand, squeeze small clumps together to make large crumbs ranging in size from that of a pea to that of a grape. Set aside.

Making the Cake:

In another medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder and salt.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light. Beat in eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract. With the mixer set on a low speed (or by hand), alternately add in flour, coffee powder and yoghurt in two or three additions. Once mixture is well-mixed, pour half the mixture into prepared pan. Sprinkle half of the crumbs. Then cover the crumb layer with the remaining cake mixture. Finish by topping the mixture evenly with the remaining crumbs.

Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool on a wire rack before slicing. Serve warm with yoghurt or ice-cream.

Spicy Potato and Vegetable Curry

Ingredients

2 potatoes, diced

Snow peas

Cherry Tomatoes

Frozen mixed vegetables

1 small onion, chopped finely

2 1/2 tablespoon curry powder

2 tablespoon Chili paste (blended dried chillies)

1 tablespoon garlic (blended)

yoghurt

salt

some water (already boiled)

Cooking Oil

Instructions

Mixed the curry powder with some water so that it becomes a thick mixture.

Heat the pan and a bit of oil. Place the onion in the pan and keep on stirring till fragrant and color changes to slightly brown.

Add in the thick curry mixture into the pan, together with the blended dried chili paste and garlic as well as salt. Stir till fragrant.

Add in some water and potatoes. Put on the lid of the pan and allow the potatoes to cook evenly. Keep watch and do pour in more water.

Once the potatoes seem almost cooked, add in the snow peas, cherry tomatoes and mixed vegetables. Stir and close lid. Again, add in more water when necessary.

When the dish is cooked, add in he yoghurt before switching off the stove.

Serve the dish together with either plain rice or brown rice. The curry will also taste good when eaten with prata.

Cinnamon Roll

Ingredients

The Bread Mixture:

400g Flour

1 teaspoon Yeast

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1 Egg

70g Butter

150ml Milk

100g castor sugar + Molasses

The Filling:

Cinnamon powder

Raisins

75g Molasses

Butter (room temperature and cut into small pieces)

*Adjust the amount of sugar, raisins and cinnamon powder according to your taste.

Instructions

Heat over. Prepare baking tin by brushing some oil around the tin.

Add in the mixture for the filling together and leave aside.

Melt butter in the milk. Make it lukewarm.

Add in salt, sugar and yeast to the flour.

Add in the milk mixture into the flour mixture. stir with butter knife.

pour mixture out into a wooden board and knead. Ensure sufficient flour while kneading to prevent mixture from sticking to the board.

Once done, leave the dough in a bowl and leave aside for 1 hour to prove. Dough will double in size.

Knock dough after 1 hour and knead again on the wooden board.

Roll out dough in a rectangular shape.

Spread the butter on the rectangular-shaped dough. Sprinkle the filling on the dough. Roll the dough closely.

Cut the rolled dough into smaller pieces and line them up (round side facing up) closely.

Allow to prove for a while before placing the baking tin into the oven to bake.

Bake for about 30-45mins or when the dough has turned golden brown.

Silent Warriors: The Dagger within Ahimsa*

Note: You need to read my previous entry on "The Eropagnis" in order to understand the characters of this entry.

*Ahimsa refers to non-violence

The High Priest preaches his faith to the villagers. The richness and grandeur that emanates from his church, while the rest of the villages looked murky and as if bowing down to the church, is in itself a strong testament of the power and ability of his God.

But the High Priest welcomes all villagers to the church still, just like how God welcomes all to his kingdom. All forms of aid was given to the villagers and if anything, that would only make his God seems more powerful as he successfully won believers over. And even if some villagers refused to believe in the faith which he subscribed to, he will still not deny these villagers aid for his generosity and the villagers’ insensibility will over time benefit the prestige of the High Priest and his church - making them seem more noble than before.

However these insensible villagers soon became a heavy burden to the High Priest. The Council Members representing these villagers are often seen appearing at the Church for confession - pleading guilty for the people’s licentiousness and begging for more and more and more aid. Too many problems. Too much time consumed. Too much resources in jeopardy. This time the High Priest contemplated longer and deeper. Should he continue his relationship (superficial though right from the very start) with the villagers as a noble benefactor, or will this relationship be the source where his very own church crumbles? Will this lead to great tension next, inciting a bloody war with each side insulting each other’s faith, beliefs and custom?

_________________

The ‘parable’ above tells a story of how the presence of ‘the other’ (i.e. the enemy) is necessary to justify one’s own existence. The High Priest needs the villagers to flatter his ego while the villagers need the High Priest for resources and sustenance. Indeed as the saying goes, ‘good’ will not exist without the presence of ‘evil’.

What then happens in a war between the High Priest and the villagers? Who shall be portrayed as the ‘aggressor’ and who the ‘victim’? Who’s the ‘bad guy’ and who’s the ‘good guy’? The answer is simple. Each side will always see themselves as the ‘victim’ and the ‘good guy’ while the opponent is viewed as everything negative. Each side will argue that their faith is nobler than the faith of the ‘other’. But ultimately both sides will win some and lose some. Though sometimes one question who will win more and who will lose more...

Indeed as much as I despised the arrogance and condescending attitude of the High Priest, I sensed that the villagers could lose more in this war. To begin with most were dependent on the High Priest for sustenance. Could they go on fighting the bloody war, relying merely on their loyalty to their faith and ideology alone? Is this a ploy by the High Priest to relinquish the existence of the villagers for good? Or is there a better strategy to resist the High Priest - no, not by aggressive confrontation but perhaps by being a Silent Warrior? Do what Gandhi did: Keep strictly to his faith and endure. For I believe that as long as I persevere to keep the existence of my faith alive, that in itself will constantly be an attack to the power of the High Priest. As long as the human being is alive, breathing and fed, Hope becomes apparent. And with Hope, the battle continues for long...

An Old Poem Rediscovered!

The star shines

But in daylight
The friendly sunrays gleam
But refracted by the tyrannical clouds
I wish for the gentle breeze
But received only storms, hurricanes and tornadoes
I desire for that symphonic music
But what is heard is the capricious tone of primitive instruments
I pray for pleasure
But i see only destruction
I wish for the death of men
But men have long been dead
I decide to sleep forever instead
For only in sleeping, i get to see the star, the sun rays,
the breeze, the music, pleasure and humanity.

29 November 2001, Zila

Sunset - Cambodia

The Eropagnis Society

Eropagnis society has been a newly-discovered tribesmen in the 19th Century, amidst all modernity. Probably, the obscure position at the very tip of the Malay Peninsula has prevented its early discovery. Since then, Eropagnis society has been the subject of attention for anthropologists. One noticeable custom of the Eropagnis society is the ‘Cognitive Ritual’. It stresses the importance of purity of the mind, symbolizing individual holiness, which is seen favourably by the High Priest, also the head of the tribe.

Eropagnis society is obsessed with the holy water. It is special since it is excreted from the Eropagnis people themselves. All members will contribute their body fluids, while the High Priest is responsible to use his magical power to perform rituals to salvage the fluids from all impurities. This holy water will then be consumed and used for body ablution, binding the tribesmen together harmoniously in a unique way. Eropagnis society also faithfully read their sacred books and recites several chants daily. Some are so engrossed in achieving higher-thinking order of the cognitive that they will visit respective chapels and enthusiastically listen to the cognitive preaching of the Low Priests. On certain seasons, Eropagnis society will be tested on their cognitive purity. This will be the time where most will be in complete trance-like mode, murmuring and reciting several chants to themselves, a ritual totally incomprehensible to most of us.

Customs differ greatly in different parts of the world. However it is noteworthy that rituals performed by Eropagnis society are essential for their group survival. It is indeed arguable that ‘modern civilization’ will not have taken place if not for tribesmen worldwide surviving their landscapes and surroundings through such ‘primitive rituals’.

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I did the short 1-page essay above while I was an undergraduate and until today I still smile while reading this. Could you decipher who the Eropagnis is? (*Hint: Spell Eropagnis backwards and re-read the essay to see some ‘peculiar’ rituals which we performed everyday without us even realizing it?