...of the Mind, Emotions and ... Unity

It is somehow interesting how this topic came to my mind. Well, as we all know, Merdeka is just around the corner and although some of you are not feeling excited about it, I sure am! Malaysia is going to be 50 years old! (of course, that's not a long time if you compare to the likes of America or England but hey, it is a milestone!) Call me patriotic or not, doesn't matter. I'm just keeping a neutral point of view on this one.





After leaving the country to come to a foreign place to further my studies, I have thought about the difference between where I am now to where I was born and bred. Of course, there will be mixed comments and thoughts on this one. For example, some of you might say, "Don't come back again!" or maybe some of you might say, "You should serve the country". No matter what happens, I feel that at some point, it's good for me to return something back to the country which has shaped me for who I am now.

I mean, what's important is that we have an identity to fall back on, like it or not. We are what we call, "Malaysians". Besides, the 5 things that would create our identity is our national flag, our national coat-of-arms, our national song, our national language, and of course, our national pledge (rukun negara). Yes, the one that we use to dread every Monday during our assembly. Nonetheless, it still represents who we are. At least, if people asks me where I'm from, I'm proud to say, "I'm from Malaysia, mate". OK, maybe the last bit needs to be scraped off.

I've seen many Malaysians saying things like, "I'm Malaysian Malay", "I'm Malaysian Chinese", "I'm Malaysian Indian", etc. for their introduction. I don't see the unity here. Aren't we all considered "Malaysians"? Is there a further separation amongst ourselves here? Where's the unity as a nation? Of course, some of you might say that the word "Malaysian" sounds to "Malay-ish". Isn't that discriminating? More like stereotyping. Not all Malays are bad, lazy, etc. I could find Chinese and Indians alike too. Alright, this issue might get too sensitive so I'm gonna leave it here.



What I'm trying to say here is that as we are living in the same country which has brought us so many fond memories e.g. late night mamaks, clubbing hot spots, DJ Tiësto, foosball, Asia Cafe, etc. therefore, we should not have 'specific' labels for one another. Oh, not to mention the nice beaches that I've enjoyed with my friends, and what about all the hot people (guys and girls)? Ramli burgers, durians... I'm telling you, the list is endless. I mean, we all enjoy these things together, and when something goes wrong, e.g. recession, we all suffer together. It's only how well we deal with the problems that arise. The main action is to act with the mind and not through our emotions. Clearly, that has been the problem. Imagine, if we all work with our mind, wouldn't it be a positive step up for all of us? Yes, it's impossible to achieve such a huge task but we ALL have to start trying. Vision 2020 is now but a whisker's away but if things are like the way it is now, it will be like the width of the ocean.




(Don't ask me why I chose Amber Chia but hey, she's considered an Asian hottie)





My friends come from all walks of life, different backgrounds, different cultures but it's good to see that we can all go out and have a good talk over a nice glass of 'sirap limau ais'. This is a mind-set which I would praise, without doubt. If anyone out there still stereotypes others, use your mind. The specialty we have as humans is the mind. If we act through emotions, what difference are we to animals? Don't put the blame on the government, but start shaping the way you think. It's not always that the government work for the best of others. They are trying to work for the better of everyone in the country but there will definitely be pot holes and thorns near and far in between. Be patient.



Currently plugged in to: Lost Prophets - Can't Catch Tomorrow

E-M-O

Well well, after that last take on youth culture, which I hope you guys enjoyed it, I decided to go on the topic of "emo".

Now, that's no longer a new term for us all but maybe to certain people, I don't know. But anyway, how often do you see your friends being emo and all? What's this whole bullsh*t about being emo? I mean, I'm not against those of you who are emo, it's fine by me. To me, it's just another way to express who you are, etc.

But, WHY is this happening? I'm so interested in this topic i decided to blog one whole post about being emo. Why is it that emo people have an apathetic mood? What makes them an emo? How would you classify an emo person? MSN nicknames saying things like, "I'm crying my heart out", "My heart bleeds for you", etc. (OK, maybe those are over exaggerating but you get my point here.) Yea, for sure those are just ways of expressing your feelings.










What's the reason? Could it be that someone left a hole in your heart? Maybe you're being lonely? BUT wait, if you hang out with a bunch of emos, that's not being alone. Hmm... Or maybe it's because of stress? I don't know. I'm still searching for an answer on how people become emo.

Then again, is there a specific explanation for emo? What about if you're just keeping quiet and don't feel like talking? Some say, that's emo.

Maybe it's the media where emo bands such as 30 Seconds to Mars, Rise Against, My Chemical Romance, Alkaline Trio and the likes are being publicized in the media more often than good discovery programs. No doubt they play good music. Even my mum who's always laughing thinks that their music is cool. Oh well, but it also might be where a person fails to express his/her feelings for someone he/she likes or maybe they have a low self esteem, etc. It's rather easy to say that these are just one of the many things in life that we all have to go through. I don't remember my grandfather telling me about how he and his friends back then were emo about not getting what they wanted. Maybe it's the whole religious and cultural background thing where some people have strong beliefs. I don't know.





Time's changed I suppose. Maybe it's the fault of globalization. Never know. Before I leave you guys to ponder on the word "emo" for a bit, check this video out. (Dear diary, mood: apathetic.) LOL. Maybe I should be emo. Their fashion and music seem cool to me.



Currently plugged in to: Feeder - The Way I'm Feeling.

Youth Culture

Hi kids! That's right. Today, walk with me into the deep end of our own life, our culture.

I was just doing my weekly tutorial reading and this week's topic happened to be on youth culture and lifestyles. After giving it a thought, might as well go on with it, no? Anyway, this is what I'm talking about:



















Yes,that's what I'm talking about. That is what's going on between us all. I mean, while you say that puberty is a development stage, youth will therefore be a socially and culturally constructed category of great interest. Now then, what exactly is youth culture?

It basically involves a number of practices: identity, socializing, creativity, resistance to dominant structures (how true is that?) and of course, hybridity. If you don't get what I'm trying to say here, think about skinheads, punks, goth or in Australia, the Lebanese youth gangs in Sydney or maybe the Vietnamese youths in Melbourne. Think about the movies WE watch, the music WE listen to, even the style we want to follow. But, it's always the same words that are heard, like, "Why did you get a tattoo?!" or maybe, "That's a really short skirt". You get my point.

So, what's the point in all of these exactly?

I'm saying that today's youth cultures are sometimes taken too seriously. Think about it, not many of us, in fact, I don't think ANY of us would want to follow the same boring traditional transition to adulthood; completing education, getting a job, leaving home, starting a family and become a parent. Hell, we all want something interesting in between the transitions now, don't we? Of course, some subcultures have less trouble getting accepted by families and societies. Piercings and tatts? Now, that might just be a problem. Being a skater boy? Not a problem. Get my point here? Imagine walking around with tattoos and piercings. LOL.

One can even classify their group by coming from different ethnic groups and cultural background. What may seem contradictory identity discourses to an older generations seem perfectly logical to youths (us), who pull upon a range of sources in their personal profile of preferences. OK, too much words. I know. In a nutshell: It is now acceptable to have a passion in politics but at the same time, having the same passion for Rock music.

Sometimes, you can't just choose being involve in one cultural group and then just have fun without conflict or opposition. Guys: Get involve in DOTA groups or foosball. Girls: Get involve in Zara or MNG shopping. You get the picture.

But all in all, we are just a bunch of youngsters. We love constantly exploring the likely possibilities for action according to the cultural norms. We are after all, exposed to various youth cultures and of popular culture. Mainstream music, box office movies, etc. My Chemical Romance, Justin Timberlake, Die Hard 4.0, and Transformers. Enough said.

There's nothing wrong if we don't like politics. Actually, we LOVE politics, don't we? And we do love our parents. Put it this way; It's just a way of expression and creativity. Better than walking around shooting people in the head. Wait, that's also one of the different subcultures that exist amongst us. Hmmm...

The next time your parents ask you something, show them this post! (I'm kidding.)

Currently plugged in to: Sing It Back - Moloko