The main purpose of this blog is to create a presence on the net and to increase awareness of those that do not know of the history of the mixed blood Indos. It seems to me that it is very clear that our history is clouded at best,and it is very difficult to decipher or to ascertain what is true and what is correct. Part of the problem that we face in sorting out our own history and identity is the reluctance of governing powers to recognize our legitimate claim that we are an ethnic group.
This in itself is very ironic as we were clearly identified as group by the Imperial Forces of Japan during the the second world war. Then again during the Bersiap Period, and after when nearly 300000 of us were forced out or left Indonesia for what they hopped would be a better life in the Netherlands. Now this post is not to argue about the atrocities committed on both sides it is just simply to illustrate that we are already an identifiable group. Right to the point of having what in modern terms would be considered an act of Ethnic Cleansing committed upon our ancestors.
I also write this post with the intent to open a discussion on how we may be able to begin pushing forward with recognition of The Indo as an identifiable ethnic group. My thoughts are ambitious but I think it can be done. I am not calling for a return to colonialism, or for an Indo home land, just simply to be recognized for what we are and the acts of brutality that were committed based on the blood that runs in our veins.
One of the first things that needs to happen is that we need to find our voice. We need to speak and speak only the truth, We need to speak loudly and with conviction to those that would listen. My thought is that we start by creating contacts with those Indos that hold influence in positions of authority. I think it would be wise to add their voices to our own. We should find and cultivate those connections in what ever position they hold. The connections could be anyone from your neighbours to Congress men or Members of Parliament. We must have a voice and a clear objective.
Once you have gained the connections you can begin to build a campaign, and generate interest. Once you create interest you can begin to create a platform on which to campaign and press your point of view.
There are a number of groups now on Facebook and other places on the net that are centered around the preservation of our heritage. So having said that we have to be able to show that we have a common history and that we share the same common values and ideals. To show that common history we need to collect as much information as we can in the form of photos, film and written word. Also if we can collect undeniable proof that atrocity and miscarriage of justice was committed, then we may begin to move forward. If we can begin to show that atrocity was committed based on ethnic lines then we can begin to press for recognition. My argument is this, if one group of people can be killed maimed or tortured and forced to leave a country based on the ethnic divisions, then they can also be recognized as a people along those same lines.
