For a bunch of intelligent minds who can’t distinguish race from religion, I find it absolutely surprising that they are racists. For your information, racists practice racism.

Racism (noun)

• the unfair treatment of people who belong to a different race
• the belief that some races of people are better than others

I’ve been brainstorming the reasons behind racism. Especially now that we’re in 2019 where stupidity shouldn’t be a thing anymore.

The multicultural society in Malaysia is one to be proud of. Unity is strength, they say. Apparently diversity makes us stand out. These are the lines, or should I say lies, teachers, parents and politicians repeatedly drill into the younger generation’s mind.

Upon completion of PT3, teachers will nag us till our ears bleed. Form 4 is no honeymoon year. You will want to hand in your final SPM paper without regrets. The following March is when you want to cry tears of joy celebrating the end of 11 years of hardship.

I have never understood racism but it’s what happens after March that caused me to naturally develop this immense hatred towards the system, Malays and indigenous people. Am I a racist? I never was but now I am not entirely sure of myself. How can I not be when I have been discriminated against?

Little are aware of the racial biased system Malaysian public institutes practice, usually not until a child or a student has graduated secondary school. Let’s exclude the wealthy where they can afford tuition fees and living expenses overseas or local private educational institutes.

Out of 421, 706 SPM ’18 candidates, 2.2% obtained straight As. 411 of the 2.2% are straight A+ students which leave a total of 8, 025 students with A+, A and A-.

These are 17 year old Malaysians who worked their asses off. Hair loss, breakout, weight gain or not eating at all is a common year end occurrence. Some cry a little too much as the idea of not being able to do well haunts them every second, frustration tackles them as they study and study but still don’t get some of the concepts, some sacrifice hours of sleep to practice disgustingly difficult addmaths questions, memorize the biological processes and historical events.

These are the students who want to do well, told to do well, expected to do well, told that they will do excellent. They have goals they painstakingly want to achieve and they have expectations set by others they desperately need to meet.

These are the teens teachers are proud of, envied and in the rare events adored by individuals we label as “friends”, admired by juniors and most times never enough in their parents’ eyes.

They cry looking at the SPM slip, never once did it cross their mind dreams do come true. And yet a voice in their head keeps on repeating “you could’ve done better”. These A-’s could’ve been A’s, this A should’ve been an A+.

Congratulations! You now have a decoration very pleasing to the eyes you can frame in your living room.

That is all it is. A mere decoration. Non-Malays and non-Bumi students have very limited options to further education. Top universities such as UM and USM welcomes Bumiputeras only, MARA education loan is for Bumiputeras only, matriculation provides a 10% quota for non-Bumis.

I apologize for stating non-Bumis have limited pathways. In fact, we are given a multitude of choice. Perhutanan and perikanan are some of the courses. Just because something as crucial as race, we are sidelined. The system really just took a shit on our faces and try to cover it up by providing courses nobody ambitious would ever want to pursue.

Students whom results which are not even close to celebratory are offered placements in matriculation colleges. Hundreds of Chinese and Indian high achievers in the past SPM examination obtained better results that those Malays who are accepted into UM’s Life or Physical Science Foundation with an A- in Biology, Chemistry and/or Physics.

Achieving an A- may not have been easy but those who did get an A+/A are turned a blind eye to just because of our race.

We chose to manage our time wisely, study efficiently and we passed with flying colors. We didn’t choose to be Chinese or Indian. Although I doubt if given the option of switching, any of us will because what we insist is a fair meritocracy system.

Education is a right inherent to all regardless of race, religion, gender, skin tone, age, nationality or sexuality.

Are Malays perhaps aware of their underachievement? Are other races oppressed out of Malays’ fear that Chinese and Indians can do better which we definitely will? Will the Malays never change their ways and stick to being nothing if it weren’t for the racial biased system in Malaysia?

How is it fair that just because the system works in the favor of Malays and non-Bumis, you can disregard other races? You would like it if Chineses and Indians just keep quiet and accept things the way they are because you get the long end of the stick, wouldn’t you?

We are given no choice but to despise the system when the government doesn’t care nor do they listen to our voices. Talent in Malaysia are flowing to the US, UK, Europe, China, Singapore and Australia etc. Why would the oppressed continue to live in a country where we are treated like outsiders instead of your own blood? Why would we want to serve a nation where only one race is worthy although they are anything but deserving?

Why can’t any of those in power see the efforts we’ve put in and change the system? Why can’t anyone understand that all we have ever asked and yearned for is justice?

The right to education is reflected in international law in Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Articles 13 and 14 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Article 26 states:

“Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.”

Too long? It said education is for everyone.