I can see how the recurring history makes some people bitter. However history also teaches us that change sometimes can take a lot of time and often painful.

Here in the US, it took about 200 years for the United States to “politically” integrate its society. To achieve that, the US had to go through civil wars, prolonged civil rights fights that was filled with terror unlike the ones we see in Indonesia, like church bombings, cross burnings, mob killings. Some, like Dr. martin Luther King also paid the ultimate price to achieve the dream of harmony. I would argue that there is still room for improvement here in the US.

Back to Indonesia, yes, nothing seems to have changed over the years, or centuries. I can understand if some people gets tired and give up. However, one thing is certain, whether the odds are great or small, you can’t achieve anything if one does not try. And without hope and vision one is less likely to try to make change.

Success is not only dictated by method, but intangibles like luck and timing also plays a role. It takes the perfect storm to change a society of 300M people like Indonesia. However situations keep changing.

One interesting development that might help is the increasing free movement of ideas. In the good old days, people’s source of information is only Government’s outlet like TVRI, RRI; teachers who can only teach from approved texts, and local clerics. However, in this internet age, information and ideas are flowing more freely than ever. If the government cannot stop people from downloading porn, there is no barrier for people to get diverse views on any topics. People are thirsty for the truth, not only the Chinese and the victims. Most Indonesians are fed up of being used like brainless tin soldiers. Anything that sheds more light to the truth can have profound impact.

I believe that every individual has conscience to judge what is right and wrong. So please keep that hope alive.

Do you know what the definition of INSANITY is?

Doing the same things again and again but expect a different result.

Just doing is not enough, working hard is not enough these days.To be successful we all need to work hard and work smarter.

By trying to manage Indonesia’s chronic problem with the same approach is just wasting your time.
And you know perfectly well, many chinese have done this same approach from 1 or 2 hundred years ago with no results.

Like throwing salt to the seas.

It concerns me that intelectualls still think with the same old paradigm. Time to change.

You are wrong. You have been intimidated too long by the majority that you feel that you are the same or have to be the same. Believe me, they will never ever take you as their brothers or sisters.

Be proud that you are different, smarter and have more resources than the majority.

But that’s not the only thing. To be smarter you have 2 choices: run or change your approach.

Running out of the country may be easier, but if there is no choice but to stay, remember the history of violence against chinese and that it will recur and that Chinese centuries ago have done the same thing you have done now to promote harmony (e.g. donating to the poor, etc).

My suggestion if you don’t have any choice but to stay is:
1. Get into politics with one goal, stop poverty, educate the people, provide more jobs and eradicate corruption. Use your resources to influence more people in the right way.

OR

2. This may be easier, convert to Islam and then you may be treated by the majority like their equal.

Just looking at the bright side and hoping things will change is the same as waiting for another riots against chinese.
It is good to sign this petition as a protest to the government but I have to say it not good enough to change the impending violence.