thE procrastination!

Il était une fois,

Voir d`autres etre humains…

An essays anthology has been  written by (Ibu or Madam) Katrin Bandel entitled Sastra, Perempuan, Seks. The essays perhaps you have read in several daily, where they have been published in. I really want to write about this nice book since last Monday but I’ve been busy to write.

I enjoy reading this book coz gave me a new point of view in reading Indonesian literature. Madam Bandel also criticized newly born female writer who’s popular coz their books are “criticized” (read: supported) by national popular daily. In short, they are “celebrities”. Esp. the writers whose writings talk about sex. Some daily note that those female writers take emancipation issues to the surface.

But Madam Bandel (and I) does (and do) not have the same opinion. Madam Bandel felt the sex issues they’ve written don’t talk about the emancipation, even a woman’s right. It just shows how brave they are talk and write about sex, nudity, lesbianism, frigidity, etc. Uhm…I agree with this argument. When I read a popular female writer’s novel, I just read how woman freely decide when they want to have sex for the 1st time, with somebody’s someone, etc. Is it emancipation? Does emancipation always mean sex? How about women’s position in the debate?

I thought Gadis Pantai (The Girl from the Coast), Perawan di Sarang Militer (Young Virgins in the Military’s Grip), or Larasati  written by Bapak Pramoedya A.T. talks more about emancipation. Even Remy Sylado’s Ca Bau Kan–that talk about woman and sexuality issue– has a bright point of view in facing emancipation issue. (Un)Fortunately, male writer seemed more sensitive with Indonesian female problem: being the 2nd sex.

What do you think?

Ps: the book entitled Sastra, Perempuan, Seks. Publish by jalasutra. You may find it in your favorite book stores for IDR 29000.

The End of Poverty is a Roadmap to a More Prosperous and Secure World…

I take the quotation above from a phenomenal book (esp. for those who concern about poverty and the third world countries) entitled The End Of Poverty.

This book is written based on the experiences of its writer, Jeffrey D. Sachs, a consultant of World Bank and Koffi Annan (UN). His experiences in recovering economic of Bolivia, Poland, Russia, China, India, and Africa are also written on several chapters of this book {Hey, where’s Indonesia?)

The foreword is written by Bono (Yes, the U2 vocalist) who is a very best friend of Sachs since they were a young. Bono says that they were different in appearances but similar in thinking. Bono had (and still has) a rock star style while Sachs was (and is) in such a preppy style. But they work for the same thing, as Bono says: the end of poverty.

You might (do not) know that Bono creates DATA (Debt, AIDS, fair Trade, and Africa), a campaign to cancel the debt of the third world countries esp. Africa and give assistant for them. He also join in ONE (you have ever seen this ad on MTV, haven’t you?). Sachs also does the same thing as Bono. But he works from his desk. Sachs analyzes data and give ‘recipes’ for some poor countries to develop their economy. Well, everybody has its own way to help the others. I believe!

In the Introduction part, it’s written: “This book is about ending poverty in our time. It is not a forecast. I am not predicting what will happen, only explaining what can happen… Our generation can choose to end that extreme poverty by the year 2025.”

I read and re-read that part above and think that Sachs is so human. It seemed that the book is not a magical wand (and he is a magician) but only a reminder. Poverty can be end, but it needs work. It’s our job! Then I continue to read the book.

The 1^st chapter entitled “A Global Family Portrait”. Remember Pink’s song? No. It’s not about that ‘stupid girl’. It’s a story about poverty caused by AIDS in Malawi, Africa. Sachs met with a grandma took care of tens orphans-whose parents have passed away by AIDS. The village, where the grandma and the orphans live, was not only suffered from AIDS but also malaria. And the rest of it, tragedy exists.

There are also several come from India. Bollywood? No, the chapters entitled “Center of an Export Services Revolution” and “India’s Market Reforms: The Triumph of Hope over Fear” discuss about the success of India in recovering its economy. What? The answer is, yes you have known, IT! India has grown their IT through education, India Institute of Technology (IIT) and it helps its economy. So why can’t Indonesia? UGM?

The 4^th chapter, “Clinical Economics” discussed about IMF. It’s an interesting part for us (I mean Indonesians who care about economic future of their countries). Sachs writes “The main IMF prescription has been budgetary belt tightening for patients much too poor to own belts. IMF-led austerity has frequently led to riots, coups, and the collapse of public service.” Got you IMF! Hahahaha! Uhm, has Mr. Yudhoyono read this book? Somebody should give him one.

The other part that is also interesting for us is a critic from Sachs to Mr. Bush-the one I really want to have an interview with. Sachs criticized that Bush make a war against “terrorism” but forget to make a war against poverty-the root of terrorism. Once again, got you Bush! You have to meet Osama ASAP to create a new trick, I thought.

I’m happy read this book, though I haven’t finished digesting the whole book (My English is so bad and broke……!). But, I think, let’s not being always pessimistic. We are (perhaps) not as smart as Sachs or as popular as Bono, but we can do a small thing for our beloved country (if you still love). Let say, study hard. Then, if we do it together, I believe a big change would happen to Indonesia’s future. Amien!

-E-

I bought this novel-Dadaisme- (let me think for a while!) about last 2 year. The novel is the winner of Sayembara Novel Dewan Kesenian Jakarta 2003. The story is so complex.

It’s more complex than Closer (the movie).

I re-read the novel last ninght. After I finished reading a+ and can not even read a page of International Business book. The novel, I strongly recommend to be read for those in search of the meaning of life.

Have a nice read!

-E-

There are so many show-offs in journalism. So many braggarts and jerks.
They are always selling, always working the room, always trying to make themselves look hotter than they actually are.

The good news is reporters like that make it easy to distinguish myself.

-E-