Racial Outlook
Sinhalese, as a race, is very proud. Proud of their heritage, culture and of their identity but sometimes we become so enthralled in our identity as Sinhalese that we often forget that there are other races that occupy this pearl of the Indian Ocean which is trying to put its mark on the map as the wonder of Asia. Our history repeatedly shows that we allow the ugly head of racism to be raised, from the very inception of our independence, as a nation we have over and over again exacerbated racial differences that exist resulting in people preaching and practicing racism.
My mother for example is a racist, not the extreme kind of racist where she goes and perform malicious acts on other races. No, she is not that extreme in fact, she is very friendly to everyone of all races and religions and even welcomes my friends and treats them as equals. But she does say things that can often be categorized as racism, be it by comparing the increasing population of Muslims or about Tamil politicians. I'm surprised at how many people of the older generations have racist sentiments but at the same time I sympathize with them. This is because people like my mother was born and raised in a country that was cursed with racial suspicion and a long 3 decade war.
However, it is imperative that they have a different mind set now, especially after the scars and wounds that were left behind by the civil war. But, this not the reality of it instead of forgiving and forgeting all the hurt and sorrow we've simply replaced one pawn with another and this time round the target is Muslims.
Thugs dressed in robes claiming to be monks concerned for the Sinhalese and Buddhists roaming the country are brazenly attacking Muslims. The very recent clashes in Aluthgama bodes an ominous feeling specially in the backdrop of black July, which many see as what escalated into a full civil war. But perhaps the saddest and most shameful is the fact that there are people who are ignorant as to follow them. People who are proud to call these thugs their saviors.
It is even more shaming that the government and the parliament has turned a blind eye to all these problems, where it is amply proven that the law and order does not excel in this country. The saying "Everyone is equal before the law" does not have an inkling of truth in Sri Lanka. If it did perpetrators of such crimes should be brought to justice whether they are clergy or a common thief.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment is that we, as people, have allowed it to get this far, allowing organizations such as Bodu Bala Sena go without opposition, to preach hate with no social justice, to allow them to gain more followers by brain washing the public.
My hope is that people come to realize that enough is enough and stand up for this injustice. My hope is that the new generations does not harbor these abhorrent feelings towards other races. My hope is to see my country devoid of treatment to a person which is dependent on what race or religion he/she belongs to. My hope is that recent events is not an interlude to another 30 years of war.
We are Sri Lankans before all else, we are a proud nation of its ethic and religious diversity. A nation which shines with humanity and compassion, a nation that has endured with the worst and still be called a nation of smiling people.
Please don't lose your identity over race and religion, don't lose the smiles to anguish and distrust, for when we stop trusting each other we stop trusting in ourselves.
My mother for example is a racist, not the extreme kind of racist where she goes and perform malicious acts on other races. No, she is not that extreme in fact, she is very friendly to everyone of all races and religions and even welcomes my friends and treats them as equals. But she does say things that can often be categorized as racism, be it by comparing the increasing population of Muslims or about Tamil politicians. I'm surprised at how many people of the older generations have racist sentiments but at the same time I sympathize with them. This is because people like my mother was born and raised in a country that was cursed with racial suspicion and a long 3 decade war.
However, it is imperative that they have a different mind set now, especially after the scars and wounds that were left behind by the civil war. But, this not the reality of it instead of forgiving and forgeting all the hurt and sorrow we've simply replaced one pawn with another and this time round the target is Muslims.
Thugs dressed in robes claiming to be monks concerned for the Sinhalese and Buddhists roaming the country are brazenly attacking Muslims. The very recent clashes in Aluthgama bodes an ominous feeling specially in the backdrop of black July, which many see as what escalated into a full civil war. But perhaps the saddest and most shameful is the fact that there are people who are ignorant as to follow them. People who are proud to call these thugs their saviors.
It is even more shaming that the government and the parliament has turned a blind eye to all these problems, where it is amply proven that the law and order does not excel in this country. The saying "Everyone is equal before the law" does not have an inkling of truth in Sri Lanka. If it did perpetrators of such crimes should be brought to justice whether they are clergy or a common thief.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment is that we, as people, have allowed it to get this far, allowing organizations such as Bodu Bala Sena go without opposition, to preach hate with no social justice, to allow them to gain more followers by brain washing the public.
My hope is that people come to realize that enough is enough and stand up for this injustice. My hope is that the new generations does not harbor these abhorrent feelings towards other races. My hope is to see my country devoid of treatment to a person which is dependent on what race or religion he/she belongs to. My hope is that recent events is not an interlude to another 30 years of war.
We are Sri Lankans before all else, we are a proud nation of its ethic and religious diversity. A nation which shines with humanity and compassion, a nation that has endured with the worst and still be called a nation of smiling people.
Please don't lose your identity over race and religion, don't lose the smiles to anguish and distrust, for when we stop trusting each other we stop trusting in ourselves.
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