Posted by: riccardo
Review on Christians in Indonesia's revolutionary struggle - 24 Jun 06 18:12
Below please find one of Riccardo's book reviews:
BOOK TITLE: Minorities, Modernity and the emerging nation Christians in Indonesia, A Biographical Approach
AUTHOR: Gerry Van Klinken
PUBLISHER: KITLV Press
One of the unfortunate realities of history is that, as an infamous 1940’s German leader said, “History is written by the victors.” In so many situations where one group gains power, they often neglect -- sometimes by oversight, sometimes by design – to acknowledge the important contributions of a group or individual that is perceived as a rival or a threat. Growing up in the U.S. during the height of the Cold War, I never read in my school textbooks about the valiant, heroic contributions of the Russians in WWII, and how they were such a crucial part of the Allied victory. We only got the bloodbath that was the Battle of Stalingrad in 1941-2.
Such is the nature of man perhaps, so it is always interesting to read history of the marginalized groups who the powers-that-be would rather have us all forget. And such is the case in Indonesia, with regard to the contribution by Christians to independence.
It is well documented that the Dutch colonists were particularly neglectful of the indigenous population of the Dutch East Indies for centuries. However, in the early 1900s with Liberalism all the rage in Europe, there was pressure on the Governor-General in Batavia to educate and employ the local population. Bowing to pressure, the administration addressed the situation in a limited way. Many of the beneficiaries of the new policy were “those that we can work with” – in that case the Christian population who were considered more loyal to the administration.
A few decades later with Liberalism evolving into talk of independence, led by indigenous, Dutch-educated Christians using their limited influence within the church and government, began moving toward empowering more of the local population – all ethnic groups and religions – out of a sense of true nationalism.
Van Klinken chose to focus this historical work on five key Christian men, Amir Sjarifoeddin, Bishop Soegijapranata, Kasimo, Moelia and Ratu Langie, to illustrate very extensively, that without people such as these, Indonesian independence may not have occurred until many more decades had passed. However, they are barely remembered. As far as I could determine, none are mentioned in school history books and none has a statue, street or holiday in their honor. Sadly, the accomplishments of these true Indonesian patriots have largely become forgotten.
BOOK TITLE: Minorities, Modernity and the emerging nation Christians in Indonesia, A Biographical Approach
AUTHOR: Gerry Van Klinken
PUBLISHER: KITLV Press
One of the unfortunate realities of history is that, as an infamous 1940’s German leader said, “History is written by the victors.” In so many situations where one group gains power, they often neglect -- sometimes by oversight, sometimes by design – to acknowledge the important contributions of a group or individual that is perceived as a rival or a threat. Growing up in the U.S. during the height of the Cold War, I never read in my school textbooks about the valiant, heroic contributions of the Russians in WWII, and how they were such a crucial part of the Allied victory. We only got the bloodbath that was the Battle of Stalingrad in 1941-2.
Such is the nature of man perhaps, so it is always interesting to read history of the marginalized groups who the powers-that-be would rather have us all forget. And such is the case in Indonesia, with regard to the contribution by Christians to independence.
It is well documented that the Dutch colonists were particularly neglectful of the indigenous population of the Dutch East Indies for centuries. However, in the early 1900s with Liberalism all the rage in Europe, there was pressure on the Governor-General in Batavia to educate and employ the local population. Bowing to pressure, the administration addressed the situation in a limited way. Many of the beneficiaries of the new policy were “those that we can work with” – in that case the Christian population who were considered more loyal to the administration.
A few decades later with Liberalism evolving into talk of independence, led by indigenous, Dutch-educated Christians using their limited influence within the church and government, began moving toward empowering more of the local population – all ethnic groups and religions – out of a sense of true nationalism.
Van Klinken chose to focus this historical work on five key Christian men, Amir Sjarifoeddin, Bishop Soegijapranata, Kasimo, Moelia and Ratu Langie, to illustrate very extensively, that without people such as these, Indonesian independence may not have occurred until many more decades had passed. However, they are barely remembered. As far as I could determine, none are mentioned in school history books and none has a statue, street or holiday in their honor. Sadly, the accomplishments of these true Indonesian patriots have largely become forgotten.
So you'd like to see more statues? I prefer to see lots of nudity. Never ask me about the street, but I'll let you know if I find one. And I'd love to have more holidays. So search more patriots, either Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, atheist, or just wanker ones. 
