Why ‘Indon’ is not preferable
Nelly Martin, Madison, Wisconsin | Wed, 03/07/2012 11:05 AM
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It all started when I overheard some of my neighboring countrymen refer to an Indonesian as an “Indon”. I never expected that I would hear such word in this campus. To my understanding, there would not be any educated person using the word.
Surprisingly, some Indonesians refer to themselves as an “Indon” on their Facebook statuses. These statuses undoubtedly cause a great number of controversial comments. Many, if not all, criticized the use of “Indon”. Most comments suggested that the term is derogatory to Indonesians. I then did a Google search and found some newspaper articles on the issue.
Interestingly but unsurprisingly, Google linked to some other news about “Indon” that were written either by Indonesians or Malaysians.
The former indicate that they hate being referred to in such a way, while the latter seemed to use the word to mock or disparage a group of Indonesian workers working in Malaysia. The adjectives used around “Indon” ranged from sexy to stupid. Some of the statements were: “I hate Indon”, “Jangan berkawan dengan orang Indon” (don’t make friends with Indon), “Don’t let Indon workers back in” and “Indon please stop ganyang (crushing) Malaysia”.
The media reported that Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur had protested against the use of the word “Indon” in one Malaysian newspaper. The embassy objected to the word due to the negative and derogatory meaning it carries. They were dismayed that the Malaysian Olympic Assembly vice president WY Chin used the word “Indon” during an interview with Berita Harian, Malaysia.
The Indonesian government felt so disappointed that both Indonesian and Malaysian governments have agreed the word is not to be used, including in the mass media. It was decided that the term is humiliating and embarrassing.
Semantically speaking, Urban Dictionary defines the word as: “An offensive term used by Malaysians. It is even used by the government, signifying the biased opinions of the Malaysian government. Used in the same context as ‘nigger’, it is offensive only if used by Malaysians. For example, ‘I’m jealous of those rich Indons,’ said a Malay person.”
Historically speaking, the term “Indon” refers to some Indonesians working and living in Malaysia. Language is about usage and context. Originally, the word was used to disparage this group of people. It is then obvious that the term is not used to respect Indonesians.
Additionally, interpreting from the usage in Berita Harian and other related websites, the use of “Indon” now is also to devalue Indonesians, not only as uneducated, trouble-making workers in Malaysia. It may be safely assumed that it becomes profanity.
A number of Malaysians use “Indon” derogatorily to some Indonesians. Like some Americans that find “nigger” derogatory, “Indon”, for most Indonesians, resonates the same meaning.
In terms of function, profanity has two functions: To buttress solidarity, and to express anger, fear or frustration. Others have described it as a disrespectful nickname for a racial group.
It is then safe to conclude that “Indon” is also a racial slur. Like profanity, a slur is an identity that functions as a vehicle to promote an in-group harmony. However, the effect for the targeted group can be really offensive.
The effect of a verbal abuse is as offensive as the physical blows. Moreover, this term can be safely
referred to as hate speech.
It goes without saying that “Indon” is a profanity, slur and hate speech that can cause a variety
of unfavorable feelings for the recipient. Though it can also function to create a group member’s solidarity, the effects can result in psychological consequences that might be far more dangerous than some physical reactions.
So, my fellow friends, do you still refer yourself with this derogatory term or still call on others with this pejorative term?
The writer is a Fulbright Presidential Scholar and a PhD student at SLA program, UW-Madison, United States, as well as an alumna of department of linguistics, Ohio University.
WhATS WRONG BEING CALLED AS INDON, YOU STILL INDON ANYWAYY...THE DUMBEST OF THE WORLD. THE MOST CORRUPT. THATS INDON ALL ABOUT.
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5 comments:
you wanna know why i hate when you call me indon?? cause your laguange realy bad..thats why indonesian laguange chossen to be asian languange not yours...think about it.
"someone cant speak good enough calling your country name in wrong adverb"
and you said it for all indonesian people..are you seriusly?
it just make you being cowardly..you hidding talking like shit, i know waht you point here...how poor you are
hey :-(
Nelly, as a Phd student, you really should do a better research on the the INDON before writing such fluff. Is it born out of your sense of over drive PC ?
I am 40 years old, born and bred in Singapore and as far as I can remember we have been using the word Indon when refer to Indonesians, there is nothing derogatory or insulting about it until recently. This words is still widely used in both Singapore and Malaysia without bad connotation. Why the Indon government should take offence at its use is just another example of their small mindedness.
Still they can't prevent the whole international community to adhere to their silly whim. This word is still widely used by many publications.
Try this :
ANZ asked to help Indon cattle industry
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/anz-asked-to-help-indon-cattle-industry-20120530-1zin3.html
I agree with the above.....the word INDON could be used by neighbouring countries of Singapore and Malaysia - there's no offensive meaning behind this 8) greetings from INDON 8)
Nelly, as a Phd student, you really should do a better research on the the INDON before writing such fluff. Is it born out of your sense of over drive PC ?
I am 40 years old, born and bred in Singapore and as far as I can remember we have been using the word Indon when refer to Indonesians, there is nothing derogatory or insulting about it until recently. This words is still widely used in both Singapore and Malaysia without bad connotation. Why the Indon government should take offence at its use is just another example of their small mindedness.
Still they can't prevent the whole international community to adhere to their silly whim. This word is still widely used by many publications.
Try this :
ANZ asked to help Indon cattle industry
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/anz-asked-to-help-indon-cattle-industry-20120530-1zin3.html
Dearest anonymous above,
Honestly, seeing your wording, I immediately assume that you are an educated person who meant no harm whatsoever, just a little oblivious.
You don't get to say that it's not offensive, it's like how white people joke by saying "You're such a retard" without meaning any offense, but a lot of people, say, someone who have a mentally handicapped relative, may actually feel hurt by their words. Would you call them "small-minded" because they feel offended by the joke? This makes it clear that intent has no bearing on whether or not something is offensive.
The same thing apply to the word "Indon". You may feel that the term itself is not derogatory or insulting, but if the people you referred by the term feel offended and hurt, then regardless of your intention, the term is offensive. By refusing to acknowledge the offensiveness of the term , you are saying you are the only person allowed to determine what is offensive to other people, not the people you've offended.
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