In The News
This piece was originally published in the Sun on 26 June 2007.
Opening the mind
Ng Tze Yeng
As much as I was convinced that I was out of my league; my experiences too raw, my views too na.ve, my knowledge too shallow, and what more, a "capitalist" in the midst of social activists, I went ahead to accept the invitation to speak on the first day of the plenary session at Fiesta Feminista, a gathering of over 500 people interested in feminism and activism, held in Kuala Lumpur recently.
The other speakers addressing the participants were well-respected activists within Malaysian civil society and the region.
Toni Kasim, a human rights advocate, addressed the audience on the need for and challenges on women's rights, human rights and democracy in Malaysia. Claudia Lasimbang, an indigenous rights activist from East Malaysia spoke passionately about the impact of development on the nation's Orang Asal. Paul Sinnappan, a founder of the People's Service Organisation, a successful grassroots micro-credit cooperative initiative, shared his reflections as a male feminist in the context of organising plantation workers.
Prominent feminist Zainah Anwar spoke on the relevance of Islam and feminism, working towards gender equality within an Islamic framework and the reformist ideas emerging within Islam. Shanon Shah, award-winning recording artiste, feminist and human rights campaigner presented his observations on the stereotypes of feminism and men, and his strategies to bring men to embrace feminism. Chitrah Rajendran, a social activist, was enlightening on issues of sexually marginalised groups and the importance for the women's movement and civil society to address these issues. Gigi Francisco, a prominent feminist activist in the region as addressed the challenges and the possibilities for the various progressive movements to connect against patriarchal, xenophobic, fundamentalist and neo-liberal globalisation forces.
And so I spoke. I spoke of negotiating between the two worlds of feminism and capitalism. Feminism, as a political movement that believes in ending the many layers of discrimination, not just gender, but also class, race/ethnicity, sexuality, religion. Capitalism, a system in pursuit of profit maximisation, that sadly, frequently treats human beings and the environment merely as resources, a system that benefits from these layers of inequalities.
I spoke of dealing with the initial feelings of shame and unworthiness once I realised that I was part of the cause and the product of these systems of injustice. I spoke of coming to terms with myself politically and being in the process of accepting where I am within these dynamics.
As I finished my speech, I was relieved to hear the applause of acceptance. I felt free.
Gigi Francisco articulated the reason for my sense of freedom to me in her plenary speech. Congratulating the Fiesta Feminista as a success in the spirit and actual mobilisation of bringing together not just the women's movement, but other social movements in Malaysia; she said that the optimistic energy electrifying the two and a half day event stemmed from the "kind of liberation felt in being able to self-define who we are", as feminists and activists.
So that's what it was. The liberation that comes from the autonomy to say what we think, to determine what our principles are, and how we live amongst a very different "dominant worldview". To extend this understanding towards engaging, critiquing and negotiating with others who hold different principles, different ways of living, to create a world that we all wish for deep down: a world free from injustices, fear, pain, suffering, sadness and anger.
I suppose that liberation too comes to those with "dominant worldviews" who are able to accept the self-definition of others. The liberation that comes with the faith and courage to accept contesting perspectives despite disagreeing, and the liberation that comes with the confidence in knowing that these differences do not threaten.
I think it is more urgent now than ever to find that liberation within ourselves and others as we are witnessing the shocking rise of Islamopobia, homophobia, fundamentalisms, xenophobia, ethnocentrism and other regressive developments around us.
It is not as difficult as it seems, as the participants of Fiesta Feminista have taught me. All it takes is the willingness to let go of preconceived ideas of each other, and in the act of letting go, embracing our respective diversities by creating a safe space for each other. Even if this safe space may be temporary, it has sown the seeds compassion and hope.
Tze Yeng would like to thank the participants and the organisers of the Fiesta Feminista for the lesson in liberation. Visit www.fiestafeminista-malaysia.org . Comments: feedback@thesundaily.com
