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| Myanmar's Outrageous Racism Excused |
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| Written by Our Correspondent | |
| Thursday, 12 February 2009 | |
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The reputation and so-called solidarity the Association of Southeast Asian Nations hit a new low this week with the Myanmar envoy to Hong Kong indulging an extraordinary racist outburst against brown people from his own country. Undiplomatic though his words were, they are the sort of remarks that come easily to the lips of some other Southeast and East Asians for whom brown skins have always been a sign of low class if not actual racial inferiority. Consul General Ye Mint Aung wrote to his fellow diplomats in Hong Kong explaining that the Rohingyas were not actually Myanmese and were not accepted as one of the ethnic groups of his country, or indeed as citizens. He wrote: "You will see in the photos that their complexion is 'dark brown'" in contrast to the complexion of Myanmese which was "fair and soft, good looking as well." He went on to claim that his own complexion was typical of a Myanmar gentleman and fellow diplomats could contrast their "handsome colleague" with the "ugly as ogres" Rohingyas whose pictures were in the newspapers. The Mynamese belief in racial purity and the superiority appearance of pale skin, as well as not being Buddhist, seem the basis of refusal to admit the Rohingyas as citizens even though they have lived in the Rakhine (formerly Arakan) division of Myanmar for hundreds of years. Doubtless it would have been better for them if the British imperialist had drawn the map between Bengal and Burma differently but that border hill country is an ethnic patchwork. In reality the Rohingyas speak a version of Bengali and have a physical appearance akin to Bengalis. It seems that the Mynmar representative can issue crude, written racist remarks not only about his fellow Asean members but which are deeply offensive to their populous neighbors to the west – Bangladesh and India. Judging by the way that Thailand has been treating these stateless refugees, calling them economic migrants and pushing them off in engineless boats, with possibly hundreds dying at sea, Thai officials seem to agree with their Myanmar colleague that such dark-skinned "ogres" should not be allowed even to stop temporarily in Thailand in their search for security. Thai Prime Minister, the suitably "fair and soft" complexioned fourth generation Thai Chinese, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has been vocal in defending the army's murderous actions and calling the Rohingyas "economic migrants" despite their denial of citizenship in an Asean country. The cringing attitudes shown by Asean towards Myanmar and the racist attitudes of some Asean countries is stunning. While pushing off the Rohingyas, who anyway wanted to go to Muslim countries, Thailand has turned a blind eye to the hundreds of thousands, perhaps a million, "fair complexioned" Myanmese who work as cheap and expendable labor on Thai building sites and fishing boats. As for Asean, which supposedly now has a Human Rights agenda, it does nothing. Malaysia once had a sympathetic attitude to the Rohingyas. Some 10,000 to 20,000 now live there having originally been offered succor as oppressed Muslims. But Malaysia has shifted towards appeasement of Myanmar and a suspicion of foreign workers generally, Muslim or not, despite the role that undocumented foreigners play in the economy.
Asean is supposed to discuss the
Rohingyas refugee issue at its end February summit in Thailand. But
do not expect anything other than platitudes, let alone any action to
help these stateless people or condemn Myanmar for its flagrant
display of racism and religious bigotry.
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Hits: 22103 Comments (31)
  written by OT, February 11, 2009
Ahhh, the curse of clearly defined Western style politica borders. Oh well, Europe have their Gypsies/Roma/Travellers, I suppose ASEAN ought to have its Rohingyas.
written by Cherry, February 12, 2009
Like OT said, the europeans love gypsies. The americans love haitians and mexicans. The Tibetans love the Chinese. The Chinese love the Indians. The Indians love the Pakisanis. The Pakistanis love the Indians. The Sri Lankans love the Tamil Indians. The Talibans love the americans. The Israelis and the Palestinians love each other. The Tutsis and Hutus love each other.
Yes, the world is full of love.
written by azi, February 12, 2009
Dear writer, please double check.
The letter is so INCREDIBLE. The Burmese and Thai actions are real and obvious but this letter... How a human being, a diplomat moreover can write that? I guess millions of people think it to to write down is not the same story.
written by ZM, February 12, 2009
My dear writer,
Pls don't forget how your country treated migrants from china, they are the same race though. If u are so pitty on them, receive them as ur citizen.
written by Angloman, February 12, 2009
Since lighter skin is better, does this mean the Europeans, ultimately superior in skin color, have full access to re-colonize all of the inferior, ugly, and brain dead people of Asia again civilize "our little brown brothers?" The author of the letter doesn't realize that in the eyes of those with true white skin, the "fair skin people of Myanmar" are still Asians and fall in the same category as the "dark skin people." But then again, what else would you expect from Myanmar?
written by Chao, February 12, 2009
Before they are floating in the sea, they must use Loreal or Kenebo whitening lotion, so they will look like more "soft and fair", like me. Eeeeeeee....
written by Azmi, February 12, 2009
Today Burma (Myanmar) is as a unknown country in the world because of human rights abusing, inhumanity, injustice, discrimination , by its illegal and criminal military regime.They are using all forces over the helpless, powerless and minority ethnic groups.
They think the will success and get peace in this world by their devil and wrongdoer acting. Never ever success here and here after it show to the world by means of ' Buddhism is Barbarism' in the world. We request to the world community and the security council to pass a resuation to remove this barbaric regime by international force as soon as possible. We hope the will do soon. Sincerely yours, Azmi
written by Chris, February 12, 2009
The letter of the Myanmar Consul General in Hong Kong must be one of the most racist and narcist pieces of writing ever. He cannot even be excused because his English and his expression are below the level of a third grader. There simply cannot be any excuse. Shame, total shame. The only cure is to lock up the gentleman for a while with a few of the 'ugly ogres' in a place where they have all he needs and wants and he himself has nothing which would truthfully be the reverse of Rohingya reality.
written by lee pung, February 12, 2009
It seems like 'two faces of a coin' the racist nation can't develop or success any more any where in around the world.Those people have not learnt human rights , respects to give each other and backwards, just like the jungle people , ignorant and barbaric manner etc.
The world need to help and protect them by disappearing or thnic cleansning from the country in the future. Lee Pung
written by Chao, February 12, 2009
The regime were raised up in a very close isolated education system, and they don't know how to communicate with outside world. If you go to Yangon Airport, you will see what official beggers are, there. I mean their custom/immigration officers...
written by A R Arakani, February 13, 2009
Your writing has adequately proven your personality and the arrogance of SPDC (Suppression Persecution & Discrimination Council) to the world. It is very laughable to see not only your poor knowledge of communication but also basic grammatical errors in your letter. I fully agree with Mr. Chris that you are a total shame and gross.
This is first time ever I have come across a diplomat who even does not know subject-verb and singular-plural noun/verb agreement in a sentence. Please go to ESL classes to improve at least some English at the moment because it may help you from further embarrassment and also advice other fellow consuls from Myanmar. I can’t imagine how much your colleagues have been making fun of you while having dinner or breakfast and watching TVs with families or friends. Although other Burmese have been deliberately deceiving the historical background of Rohingya but I am pretty sure that you have zero or minus knowledge about the existence of Rohingya in Arakan, now western part of Burma. The presence of Rohingyas can be traced date back to 7th century. They have been inhabitants of Arakan long before invasion of Burmese forces under Bodaw Paya in 1784. Arakan was once successfully ruled by Rohingya Rulers (Arakanese Muslims) from 1430 AD – 1531 AD. They have been peacefully co-existed with sister community Rakhine until the later was brainwashed by Burmese crusaders under the pretext of co-religion. Since then Rohingyas were gradually expelled from their land by joint forces of Rakhine and Burmese and at present they are branded as illegal British era immigrants. Even though the Burmese successive military regime has been internally able to some extent de-root Rohingyas they are internationally failed to vanish Rohingya and its historical existence. Oh yes. The world has observed the malnourished Burmese how fair and soft during Nagris Cyclon. The international communities are surprised watching how handsome your militaries with outdated G3 machine gun were helping the victims by kicking and beating with gun-bud and stick. Some Hollywood directors even tried to recruit your cute militaries and fair Burmese people for movies. Last but not least I believe you are abnormal people who are certainly lacking sound reasoning into the matters. Mr. Consul, remember this is fast flowing information age. The leaders and people of this planet are much smarter and informative than your obsolete Burmese. You donkey!!!!!! A R Arakani
written by YukPui, February 13, 2009
Dear Asia Sentinel Editor,
Please do not lend legitimacy to the regime by using the word 'Myanmar'. Only the generals and their cronies use it; everyone else in the country calls it "Burma."
written by Simon, February 13, 2009
First, Consul General Ye Mint Aung ill-bred statements are routinely made in private throughout Southeast Asia. It is not surprising that feels this way, it is only shocking he put it in an official document - which gives evidence to his utter stupidity. Apparently, the author is uncomfortable to learn ASEAN, in some part, is in agreement with this dogma
Primitive notions of color, beauty and superiority are deeply rooted in Asian cultures. The backward and ignorant concept that fair skin is equivalent to soft and good looking; while dark skin equals ugly and dump, is very common place. In fact, the idiocy of this nonsensical thinking goes unchallenged. All one has to do is visit Thailand. Within minutes you will be bombarded with skin whitening commercials and advertisements. In most of these regions, overt racism and discrimination against dark people is the norm. It is so indoctrinated into the mindset of the masses; most dark people simply accept their unfair treatment without ever considering mass revolt. It goes without saying that only fair skin people can be leaders, managers, actors, models, and such. One Thai friend told me, he must use skin whitening cream in order to land a job. Attaching pictures to a resume is one way to filter out all the “ugly ogres.” I can’t count how many times I have been told by dark skin Thais, “I am dark, is it okay?” To ask such a question, suggest being brainwashed from birth that dark skin is wrong and fair skin is right. It absolutely amazes me that many people seem incapable of discussing the biology behind human skin color. One educated Thai told me he never heard of melanin. One more point, for those who prefer to hold onto archaic viewpoints, skin color is determined by the amount and type of melanin, the pigment in the skin. Human skin color can range from almost black (due to very high concentrations of the dark brown pigment melanin) to nearly colorless (appearing reddish white due to the blood vessels under the skin) in different people. Variation in skin color is largely due to genetics. As a general pattern people with ancestors from tropical regions (hence greater sunlight exposure) have darker skin than people with ancestors from subtropical regions. This is far from a hard and fast rule however, because many light skinned groups have managed to survive at the equator by way of social adaptation. The same can be said of dark skinned groups living at subtropical latitudes.
written by saw, February 13, 2009
this letter surprise me not one bit as we - the citizens of burma, know very well that only idiots and morons serve in the 'government'.
written by Myint San, February 13, 2009
It might sound extremely simplicit to say "most Burmese are racists", but this is true. As a naive, born into traditional Burmese Buddhist family, I can assure how the mainstream Burmese think about Myanmar of South Asian decents. It is a sad story that the world doesn't seem to know.
Now Rohingya case, a vast (let me repeat... a vast) majority of the Burmese (including ethnic minorities) agree with SPDC and racist Arakanese that Rohingya are not native or ethnic of Burma. Even when these Rohingya people were dying in Thailand, many of the so-called democratic activists and bloggers support and agree with SPDC-cumed bloggers writing about Rohingya and South Asian decents in extremely racist and oppressive language. This is the same as what happened during Nagris. Instead of saving the dying people, SPDC was busy with doing what they want (i.e. forcing people to vote). Now, instead of saving the victims, even the so-called right activists and (shamelessly) western educated writers and students are busy with oppressing Rohingya that they are not even citizens of Burma. As a Burmese myself, I do strongly think, without start seeing every singly person in the country as having an ability for the country, but keep promoting hatred between Muslims and Buddhists, between Burman minority ethnic groups, Burmese will never be in peace. [Also, we should note, while Arakanese reject Rohingya like Burmese SPDC, ethnic groups 'hate' Burman. In the same vain, Burmese think ethnic people are backward, and jungle people. In Thai-Burma border, Burman activists see ethnic activists as unable and, some compare them with dog as I have heard it personally.
written by mhjilani, February 13, 2009
Outrageous! You have proven what kind of people and Government to you are representing. It makes easy for world communities to understand how racially prejudiced you and government have been. I thank you for making people around the world understand you and your Government even better. I know for a fact that you have no knowledge about Rohingya people or their History by reading your letter. You are living prove that human cruelty, racism, double standard and religious narrow-mindedness still exist. Don’t forget! People are much more knowledgeable than you are and there are millions of photos of Burmese people on the net. They know how good looking you people are. I have a suggestion for you, try to clean your heart and mind, you will know how to respect human dignity. Human Live is more important and Skin color is not the answer.
mhjilani
written by Mamakthir, February 13, 2009
Indonesia and Malaysia should recieve the boat brethens as refugees rather than economic refugees. Surely we cannot expect the infidels in West to grant our brethen sanctuary.
written by K Amin, February 13, 2009
The comment of consular clearly shows that he is an ultra racist. It ,in fact depicts the behaviour of brutual regime against the peace loving indigenous rohingya people because a diplomate talks on behalf of his/her government when it comes to national isse. People around the would are not foolish like him or his illegitimate fathers in the regime. Now it is easier for the world community to understand how vulnerable rohingyas are in their homeland and therefor need to take effective actions against the regime.
written by Sanda, February 13, 2009
Consul General Ye Mint Aung raises an interesting question: Can nationality be determined by beauty? If that is so, the geo-political landscape of our planet would change dramatically, and be much simplified in the process: instead of over 200 countries and territories and all the related problems, we will have one small country for the beauties and one very big one for the rest of us. Now, since we know that beauty is not everything, we also need a place for people with a beautiful mind and for those without. Come to think about it, let's have one more - a small island should be sufficient - for the true ogres in body and mind. We will send Ye Mint Aung there to practice his diplomatic skills.
written by love 4 Rohingya, February 13, 2009
"""Myanmer people are fair and soft!!!!GGGGGGGGGood looking as well!!!""hahah...you're funny!!!!i've gotten better letter frm drunken monkey.........ow ya......u proved u r DonkeY....!!!!
written by dark lover, February 13, 2009
I think dark skin is beautiful and the Rohingyas are a very attractive people with soft features... And who said that dark skin is not soft? This guy is an idiot!
written by John Francis Lee, February 13, 2009
Neanderthals 'distinct from us'
Neanderthals lived in Europe and parts of Asia until they became extinct about 30,000 years ago. They were the closest relatives of currently living humans, sharing between 99.5% to 99.9% of our DNA sequence. "I don't think they became extinct due to something in their genome," he [Prof Svante Paabo from Germany's Max Planck Institute] said. "It was clearly something in their interaction with the environment or with modern humans that caused them to be extinct. "That will not be something you can see from their DNA sequence." Did modern humans kill them all? Read the Ramayama for a description from our pre-literate past of our uniquely human ability to cast "the other" as ugly ogre, to justify mass murder. No different today.
written by Yang Yang, February 13, 2009
ALL countries in ASEAN practice racial discrimination. That's why all the miinisters in the ASEAN countries cannot criticize Myanmar. OK, the Myanmarese psersecute the Rohingyas, The SIngaporean Chinese discriminate against Indians. The Indonesians and Malaysian Malays discriminate against the Chinese, as well as all non-Muslims, the Thais discriminate against the Muslim Thais in the south, The Filipinos discriminate against Muslims, The Thais and Cambodians(Khmers) discriminate against each other, well the Laotians being the poorest of the lot have to tolerate everybody else, and the Vietnamese discriminate against the Chinese and set off a wave of boat refugees which were mostly Chinese, and the Brunei (oops I forgot they exist, and anyway all of them belong to the sultan). So you see, how can any ASEAN country criticize any of their fellow country in ASEAN?
written by Sabai, February 14, 2009
I agreed that complexion is not the main discrimination of Burmese people to Rohingyas. But the main thing is that they have totally opposite culture with Burmese people and even they stay in Burma for a long times, they never changed their culture, especially in marriage which is not totally acceptable for Burmese culture. We have a lot of Musilm people who has the same rights like other people inside Burma and they stayed inside Myanmar and also love to stay in our culture. But Rohingyas cannot be the same like other musilm inside Myanmar. That is the main fact for Burmese people to accept the Rohingyas. Today's Burmese people do not practice strong religious discrimination, but Burmese people are really culturalisms. So! why all the international organizations are emphasing on only for the Rohingya's right? Burmese people also have their own right to protect their own culture and all the internationals should emphasize only on the issues on migrants in Thailand.
written by sammy, February 14, 2009
Consul General Ye Mint Aung very clearly stated the Rohingyas are dark and ugly! Complexion has always been a factor to the discrimination practices in Asia. Even the Indian caste system has the dark on the bottom and the fair skinned on the top! Sure there are exceptions to the rule, but in every case, if your skin is darker than milk, you are considered inferior. This is especially true in the cultural mindset of the Chinese. As for the Thais, fair skinned Thais discriminate against dark Thais, it doesn't matter if you are Muslim or Buddhist. Likewise, Thais see Khmers has inferior, and if you ask any Thai why they hate Khmers, their description of the Khmers is almost identical to that of the Burmese description of the Rohingyas. And they conveniently forget, Thai culture comes directly from the Khmers. So the augment of different doesn't always apply. As for the Indonesians and Malays, they are well aware that if the Chinese were in charge, they would suffer the same scorn as the Singaporean Malays and Indians. Don't rewrite the words of Consul General Ye Mint Aung. He knows why he hates the Rohingyas. Yes, there are cultural distinctions, but in his mind, the main distinction is skin color! That is what he wrote.
written by Maung Zaw, February 14, 2009
The so called diplomat is indeed in fair complexion and look like Chineses, where as people from Middle of Burma are not like him. They are brown. The dictator Than Shwe is brown with flat nose. The different between Rohingyas and Than Shwe is only different of noses. Now tell me, how are you going judge your father with your theory?
written by sammy, February 15, 2009
The problem: some people can't accept the reality that color coded racism is part and parcel in all of ASEAN cultures. Instead they either apologize for it, or dismiss outright. As if that will make it go away.
If you buy into the false concept that fair skin is better, than any other skin, you have been brainwashed. And if you are not fair enough like dictator Than Shwe, in your mind you must create a false reality. Thus, pretending you are different than "them" even if you are not! The first step is to reject the stupid constructs of superiority based on color. Than you can move on to other stupid constructs that are designed simply to keep certain people in power, and others out of power!
written by Min ko hla, February 19, 2009
If the religion of Budhisim is peace why they are using all forces against helpless, homless, defencless and more they have made stateless to Rohingya people since 1962 and with making new rule in 1982.
That is lying only deceiving the world .It is a big hyprocrcy. It seems like a full of brutality action against helpless nation by making false allegation against their religion believe. Don't worry the world communities are watching you and your all kind of ugly works of inhumanity and injustice. You would be one day accounted in the wotld tribunal and you must be paid all account there. You will never get peace and harmony any where in this world.
written by Robertson, May 23, 2009
Don't be surprised. Racism is everywhere. Even in the US, alot of injsutice are going on. For example; KKK, Nazi party, Black Panther, Separatist, and so on. What do you think John William Yeattaw's sentence or decree should be? I am thinking, they should put him in water-boating like Americans do. Therefore the world can see how American people treat human being based on violation of Human Rights and Civil Rights. If Burmese people are a very civilized nation, and they might let him go with 20 years in prison with hard labor in Burma.
written by Robertson, May 23, 2009
Sorry, waterboarding not waterboating interrogation
 written by ANR, July 15, 2011
If Ye Myint Aung has traveled by boat through seas and ocean for more than a week without shelter (the way Rohingyas had traveled), he would look uglier than the Rohingya boat-people did. Hence, Ye Myint Aung cannot be a Burman. In fact, not all Rohingyas are ugly ogres. There are, among them, some people who look like Europeans, Arabs, Turkish, Persians, Pathans who are not dark-skin. And of course, there are some people who are Indian origin and dark-skinned. If one goes back to history, it was the Indian origin people who first and foremost built kingdoms and ruled the place now called Arakan before 7th century . That era was called Vesali and the kings of that era were called Chandras irrespective what religion they followed. If Arakan is a part of present day Burma, then these Indian Origin Dark-skinned people must be one of indigenous people of present day Myanmar. Furhtermore, Burman didn't come out of Burma soil. They also migrated from Tibet Region, China. It is only the matter of time that some had settled earlier and some did later.
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A racist slight against the Rohingyas
draws no criticism from ASEAN
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