AS Malaysians, we often hear that Malaysia is a melting pot of cultures and a land of diversity. But how deeply do Malaysian teenagers truly embrace this diversity in their daily lives?
Although I am a citizen of this multiracial nation, I must admit that my understanding of the lifestyles of other races here is somewhat superficial, limited to my own experiences.
During the first half of my primary school years, I lived in Brunei. Our community there included several Malaysians, and I began to appreciate the various celebrations we share.
On International Day at school, the Malaysian stall would showcase a variety of dishes and samples representing our nation’s diverse cultures. My friend Zahra and I would wear our baju kurung, while other friends, like Kayla, donned Sabahan attire. Wyn Nesh proudly displayed his hanfu, and Leshvanth wore his kurta.
Despite our different ethnic backgrounds, we celebrated the day as one, united by our Malaysian identity. We waved little Malaysian flags and took part in the parade with pride.
My friends shared stories about mooncakes and the ways they adorned their sarees as we enjoyed a bowl of keropok lekor. As I grew older, I realised how uniquely vibrant Malaysia truly is.
Upon returning to Malaysia, I joined my current school, which is a diverse mix of ethnicities. However, many students here seemed reluctant to express their cultural pride, even on days designated for traditional attire.
I understand their hesitation. As teenagers, we sometimes view traditions as outdated and feel uncomfortable showcasing them, especially those of us who are self-conscious and keen to avoid the spotlight. Yet, I believe that displaying pride in one’s culture is a powerful statement.
The glimpses I get into my classmates’ cultures are experiences I look forward to – whether it’s their fragrant home-cooked meals or the photos of their celebrations. What might seem ordinary to them is a valuable learning opportunity for me.
If these limited exposures are so precious to me, imagine the value they could hold for the younger generation. Providing them with real-life stories, rather than just screen-based ones, is increasingly rare but incredibly important.
In commemoration of Malaysia Day on Sept 16, I encourage everyone to take pride in our Malaysian identity and represent our heritage with honour. Knowing and showing your identity is a privilege, so embrace it!
Wouldn’t you feel proud to see a confident and accurate representation of your identity?
Even if everyone wears different patterns and styles of clothing or shares unique meals, we remain “satu bangsa”, which is Bangsa Malaysia.
What better way to demonstrate this unity than by showcasing the rich, diverse cultures that define Malaysia?
Show the world what it truly means to be a melting pot of cultures!
Maryam, 16, a student in Selangor, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
