Five weeks in the States cannot be penned here. The trip was overwhelming, and I am still digesting, but there are certain pertinent points I would love to share:
1. Be proud of your history
Americans are not shy of their history. Americans are proud of American history. They are proud of nailing villains outright, and honouring heroes. You don’t have to be proud in the sins of others, but you can be proud in being the voice of conscience.
Americans revere the likes of George Washington, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr for the great things they stood up for, and also remember the likes of Richard Nixon (a president who bugged his political foes in the Watergate scandal), John Wilkes Booth (famous actor who shot Lincoln) and James Gardner (sheriff who authorised violence against civilians in the Montgomery to Selma march) for their shameful acts.
I wonder if the likes of former home minister Hishammuddin Hussein will be remembered forever for desperately covering up police brutality in Bersih 2 and Bersih 3. I wonder, too, if Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will be remembered as allegedly the worst prime minister Malaysia has ever had.
We as Malaysians, shouldn’t be ashamed of villains like them. Instead, we should take pride in being brave to criticise villains. Be the voice of conscience, and have pride in being the voice of conscience.
2. Dare to criticise
Americans criticise their governments and those running for office for whatever they disagree with.
Those who hate Barack Obama for Obamacare wouldn’t hide their anger. Those who feel Hillary Clinton is not worthy of becoming a president for deleting her emails similarly, wouldn’t shy from criticising her with “lock her up”. The ones who dislike Donald Trump wouldn’t be afraid to stick a middle finger in front of Trump Tower, and the ones who dislike the Republicans will equally critical of the past George W Bush administration.
In Malaysia, we are still under a siege mentality, because almost anything and everything is “controversial” or “sensitive”. Certain people tell you what you can, and what you cannot say. Hotdogs are confusing, at the very least.
3. Learn from history
What happened in America’s struggle with slavery, separatism and racism half a century ago, is happening in Malaysia today.
America has its first black president since independence in the 1766 because someone somewhere, long ago, stood up in the face of injustice. Not only Martin Luther King, Jr but women like Rosa Parks, the 15-year old Claudette Colvin, others like Philip Randolph, the Tuskegee Airmen and many more unnamed heroes.
My bus driver to Montgomery, too, is a living testimony who was involved in the civil rights movement back in the 1950s and 60s. He was very young back then.
King and the non-violent movements were inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent approach half way across the globe in India. It is sad, if we Malaysians do not learn and appreciate history.
I learned that black is beautiful. Blacks don’t feel insulted for the word black because many have taken back the word “black”. So if next time someone calls you Melayu in reference to laziness, take back the word: Melayus are well-mannered and respectful to the elders. If someone calls you Cina in reference of being cunning, take back the word: Cinas are competitive and strive to be the best.
4. Be proud to share your history
America loves to share its history to the world. Nine out of ten museums in Washington DC are free. And mind you, there more than 150 museums in the 177 square kilometres of Washington DC alone. Imagine what the 50 states elsewhere in America has to offer.
What amazed me is how these museums are also informative and interactive at the same time. With up to date psychological expertise put into the choreographic process, visitors get to interact physically and mentally. There is a storyline to the artifacts, displays, etc. And as a result, most end up building an interest on the subject. That’s how you attract people to love and embrace history, not by force feeding through the textbooks!
In Malaysia, not only museums are not free of charge, they bore you to death. Ask any high schoolers, the majority will tell you history is the most boring subject. Museums are out of date, and boring places for boring people.
5. Be competitive and strive for the best in what you do
A nine to five job sounds boring, but Americans try being a step better than their peers. Tour guides in the Capitol Building, river cruises, hop on and hop off buses, have their own sense of humour. They of course have prescribed texts, but they add their own flavour to it. It makes understanding American history, politics, and whatever they are talking about more interesting and appealing.
Understandably, those in the private sectors have higher standards in order to maintain customer base. But what was different is, even those in the governmental sectors strive to be a step different or unique from their peers.
My programme coordinator and her team did their best to ensure we get to visit the White House and the less-than-a-month-old African American Museum, etc. I was told we were the only team who managed to visit the White House and African American Museum. I was also told tickets are not available until next year due to overwhelming interest.
Other teams placed in other institutions didn’t get to visit the White House or the African American Museum, but they went to Mount Rushmore and other places.
6. Always always initiate to help
I experienced that in US, everyone I met in the service line were as helpful and friendly as they can be. From bus drivers to the officers punching tickets.
Last week in Washington, I was lost. Holding a map looking around for my destination, a bus driver opened her bus door asking me if there's anything she could help me with. She probably saw how lost I looked.
My first encounter at the airport upon returning to Malaysia was a sour-faced taxi ticket vendor. I wonder if I owed her some money before I left five weeks ago.
7. Always always be courteous
“Have a nice day”, “please” and “thank you” are common words used in America. Opening the door, or a simple “after you” as well. In Malaysia, when the LRT or lift arrives, we barge our way in before the others could exit. We forget our queues and cramp around the entrance. What’s worse is, commuters take their time leaving, forgetting that others on the other side has to enter. We forget common courtesy most of the time.
8. Value your rights as a human
When one is self conscious about their rights, they indirectly make their own lives and those around them better.
My colleague broke her foot due to a falling toolbox. She is now suing for damages. It may seem rare in Asia to sue, but it is common in America.
9. Free speech and free media are essential
Good governance, reputation and accountability are also equally essential in shaping American society. When these are available, those who want to be informed have the opportunity to be informed. Those who choose to remain ignorant, may too continue being ignorant.
Some people say Americans are Islamophobic and racist. True that some are, but don't forget, because of free speech, people are allowed to criticise Islamophobics and racists.
10. A free market has its perks, and downside
Cars in America are relatively cheap. You can use cash to purchase a second hand car. A Toyota Camry or Honda Civic costs less than US$10,000. Imagine buying a Camry or Civic in Malaysia for RM10,000.
It is cheap, because if you lose on price competitiveness, people will not buy your products. A free market also encourages producers to compete for the best products. In the end, consumers will get better products.
However, it is also the reason why almost nothing is free. You have to pay for an airport trolley in US. It sucks when you have three four bags.
The only free thing in a capitalist country like America is water. I am not sure why. There are water fountains in almost every single museums, hotels, gallery, malls, train station, governmental buildings, universities, etc.
In Malaysia, the only place you’ll see a properly working water fountain is maybe the airport.
Conclusion: We in Malaysia are constantly “reminded” to be afraid of Americans.
Really? Why can't we instill the sense of pride being a Malaysian? Why are we always portraying ourselves as inferior people who need protection against superpowers? Why can’t we tell Malaysians we, too, can be the best at what we do? Why can't we start telling Malaysians we, too, can conquer the world?
By being the best and conquering the world, it means being the best in innovation, culture, knowledge and all the good things. Not the best at being corrupted, certainly not the best in receiving donations.
It feels sad coming back to Malaysia feeling the difference. Many are despaired and have left for greener pastures. To me, Malaysia is always home, and I want to be a part of the change here.
ADRIAN LIM CHEE EN is the chairperson of the #BebasAnwar campaign, and is a YSEALI Academic Fellow under the United States Department of State Exchange Programme.
