Multi-cultural Relations Gig

Yesterday I was in Johore Bahru for an American embassy sponsored seminar on Multi-Cultural relations. (In a future blog I will try to include some picture and an outline of a seminar program - I am getting close to figuring out the drill.) The purpose was to present Malaysian students an alternate picture of multi-cultural relations. (There is a weak consensus that the different ethnic groups are far too isolated from one another) I thought, and still feel, that it was unfortunate that 60 plus year olds talk about relations among students with 20 year olds. Apparently as is true of many things around the world, it was dictated by logistic concerns. In the past they have had roundtables with American and Malaysian students.

The first presentation was by an American Muslim convert. He had all the charm of converts to any religion. I am not sure how his comments were rec'd by the students. The second presentation was by a UTM (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) faculty member. She encouraged the students to pursue more contacts across ethnic groups- I should have taken notes so that I could share more with you. She mentioned that people ask her if she has studied in the US - she hasn't - but I could see why they ask. Her comments showed an openness familiar to an American

The panel I was on changed its format to sitting in a circle and chatting. I was relieved, b/c I had done little preparation. I had a lot of trouble getting my mind around the topic. I started by building on two questions from an earlier session - how long changes in relationships take and housing (one young man pointed out that more integrated housing would help build friendships across the ethnic groups). On how long I pointed out how different NCSU is from what it was 30 years ago when I arrived. I also pointed out that we don't talk about intergration or assimilation but inclusion (I am not sure how well understood the remark was, but I strongly suspect that many Malaysians fear a loss of their ethnic/traditonal identity) I decided to avoid tackling the idea that many (including me) think that "tolerance" is not a good way to think about cross-cultural relations. I also mentioned that creating an inclusive environment takes a stong commitment by the university and its faculty.

Not much to add on the housing front except that I pointed out the observation was insightful, especially since in the US housing patterns and assigning students to local schools can decrease multicultural contacts.

So what were the questions? A pointed question on Palestine - I let the embassy person handle that. Questions on American's attitudes toward Muslims, sex education in the schools, students (of the opposite sex) living together on campus, what I thought of the Malaysian education system. I have found in my class and other situations that Malaysian are careful to point out when they know that you are expressing an opinion or that they are expressing an opinion The American Muslim went on a rant that he would never send a daughter to the US to study - the embassy person took him on in a heated exchange. She said that before students leave for the US she does a session on "Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll."

I liked the UTM faculty members I met. They want to expose the students to more international contacts and making sure that international & Malaysian students interact. One of the vice chancellors said that she would like to arrange study abroad opportunities for US students to come to UTM. I did not pursue it then- no point in building false hopes - butI would be happy to explore it further if anyone wishes.