The following definition of
racism is developed by
Ester Indahyani Jusuf, a prominent Indonesian human rights attorney whose works and advocacies have been known worldwide. She has attended numerous international conferences on human rights, racism and discrimination, including those organized by the United Nations. Being a triple-minority herself (she is of Chinese ethnic, Christian and female), she has been representing the minorities in Indonesia to speak out to the world for years. She is the Chairperson of
Solidarity for The Motherland and Nation-Indonesia, a respected non-profit human rights organization in Indonesia. In 1999, she won a humanitarian award where
Xanana Gusmao from East Timor was also a recipient. [Note: For her dedication in human rights advocacy and excellent works, she might be a future Nobel Laureate for Peace Movement in a few more years to come. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. An interview article with her will be posted in this column. Press: If you're a member of the press and is covering human rights issues in Indonesia, kindly contact me, Jennie S. Bev, at penpusher@suite101.com. I'll have your interest forwarded to
Ester I. Jusuf.]
Below is her latest definition on
racism, which is used in
"2000 International Convention on All Foms of Racial Discrimination and Resolutions of the Commission on Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Gender and Racism: Elements and Implications for Action"
About Racism, A Definition
by Ester Indahyani Jusuf
Racism is the belief that human beings can be divided into races and that member of some races is inferior to members of other races. Usually, this attitude also involves the belief that one's own race is superior to other races. People who believe in or practice racism are called racists. They claim
that members of their own race are mentally, physically, morally, or culturally superior to those of other races. Because racists assume they are superior, they believe they deserve special rights and privileges.
Racism is a form of prejudice. Many people tend to consider their own appearance and behavior as normal and therefore desirable. They may distrust or fear people who look or act differently. When differences are obvious --such as in skin color or religious worship-- the distrust becomes greater. Such attitudes can lead to the belief that people who look or act differently are inferior. Many people do not look for the same qualities in other groups that they admire in their own. Also, they do not recognize the different but equally good qualities that member of other groups possesses.
