Celebrating the 76th anniversary of Indonesia, we ask some of our friends the same question; about what they feel and wish towards our homeland nowadays. Came from such a diverse background in the nation’s creative industry and subculture, all of these people have their own things to say here. These answers may vary, but for us, all of them have been done, most importantly, with honesty, and maybe it could inspire you who read it below.
Basboi (musician, producer)
How do you feel and wish towards Indonesia now?
I love Indonesia. It’s the place I grow; my home, my identity. But Indonesia’s f**ked up, man. Indonesia is as dumb as a rock, yet prouder than a rockstar. And I am Indonesian, we all are. We all are f**ked up. But I love us. I wish we’d be more curious about who we are and why we behave this certain way, so we know that what we have here, is super cool. We still worship the white man. To be better, we shape ourselves to be more like them and we’re getting less of us each day. And that’s sad. How can we be “better”, be “developed” if we don’t even know who we are? Learning only happens when one realizes and fully accepts that one is dumb.
Valensia Edgina (photographer, video director, Lazy Susan)
How do you feel and wish towards Indonesia now?
As challenging as it is, I feel hopeful for the future of Indonesia. With the access to information and connectivity that current generations have today, I’m hopeful we can shape a better environment to create in Indonesia, where our rights as creatives are more respected and appreciated. We have too many amazing talents around the archipelago, but not many opportunities are open for them. We have brilliant creatives who put their effort to make a living out of what they are good at but ended up doing something else for the sake of survival because the regulation does not fully support this option. It’s a very long journey but here’s hoping that we can share a common goal and work together towards it. Hope keeps us going, but it’s up to you and me to get where we want to be.
Mandy CJ (painter, illustrator, content creator)
How do you feel and wish towards Indonesia now?
I’m proud to be an Indonesian who is free to do my art and works, to achieve a lot of things in today’s globalization. I wish we could be a better nation and better people; to live without any discrimination to any ethnicity, race, and religion.
Ralvi Nasution (radio announcer)
How do you feel and wish towards Indonesia now?
I feel that Indonesia is going through a lot right now, too much is going on, just like the rest of the world. My wish towards Indonesia would be even tolerance just spread all over the country. People would set aside their differences and just compromise. World peace!!!
