“Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Unity as the word says brings the meaning of oneness! There is an issue of oneness but as simple as the word sounds, unity is not so! Unity or being united means more than many perceive. It can be divided into two which is;
1. Agreeing and coming together for a common identity or agenda
2. Patronizing a common goal / agenda / ideology totally even by sacrificing the self-interest / ideology/ importance / gains for the common goal
Now the first part is not much of a trouble and that is where many are good at, Freezing the condition at this point and calling it as unity would be an act of hypocrisy because at this state one can’t say that the state of togetherness is unity but rather just a surface of common togetherness
e.g. a group of individuals from different background like a certain restaurant and visits to the place without fail – this state can be called ‘togetherness on a common ground” Unity is far more that the feeling of togetherness!
Now the 2nd part is best described with the analogy in place where the same eating outlet is under the threat of demolition, the same group of individuals can put aside their differences, dispute, personal comfort and time and all other attachments and come for the rescue of the said outlet then unity is in action
Unity as the word says brings the meaning of oneness! There is an issue of oneness but as simple as the word sounds, unity is not so! Unity or being united means more than many perceive. It can be divided into two which is;
1. Agreeing and coming together for a common identity or agenda
2. Patronizing a common goal / agenda / ideology totally even by sacrificing the self-interest / ideology/ importance / gains for the common goal
Now the first part is not much of a trouble and that is where many are good at, Freezing the condition at this point and calling it as unity would be an act of hypocrisy because at this state one can’t say that the state of togetherness is unity but rather just a surface of common togetherness
e.g. a group of individuals from different background like a certain restaurant and visits to the place without fail – this state can be called ‘togetherness on a common ground” Unity is far more that the feeling of togetherness!
Now the 2nd part is best described with the analogy in place where the same eating outlet is under the threat of demolition, the same group of individuals can put aside their differences, dispute, personal comfort and time and all other attachments and come for the rescue of the said outlet then unity is in action
When the second scenario takes place in a nation on defending the country or dealing with the national issue despite their difference and personal importance then the nation is worth to be called united or in unity
It’s a difficult task to stand united when clear cut differences are in existence and visible this is best described in an analogy of a salad bowl, there are many different types of food put into the salad bowl, the combination of all makes up ONE single dish called salad but each type of food still maintains its nature and qualities despite sharing the bowl with many other and they would sacrifice their individuality when named as a salad
e.g. a tomato in a salad is still a tomato when put in but yet we call it a salad then after being in the salad bowl thus the tomato has lost its individuality by being assimilated in a larger varied group. This is the type of unity practiced by Malaysia or supposed to be practiced in Malaysia.
Disputes and unity crushing incidents crop up in Malaysia at times due to certain individuals or group tends to give emphasis on the individuality said before e.g. the tomato demands more attention and recognition being in the salad bowl among many others
Unlike other nations like the US or the Indonesia which rather plays a totally varied ball game on unity by having the melting pot concept where by it is a total opposite of having all differences eliminated by boiling it down to a single substance i.e. the nation, this in other word can be said as an induced assimilation which does not permit varied identities to be maintained
We as Malaysians should always be thankful for the ‘Salad Bowl” model unity being practiced here and it allows each and every one to maintain their very own culture, value, norms & faith with peace and freedom. The key to sustain and maintain peace & harmony would be “TOLERANCE” with proper tolerance , mutual respect and understanding, The salad bowl would always remain a wonderful dish and pleasant to the eye of the world with its very own uniqueness as a twist of the lemon !
Happy Malaysia Day Malaysia !
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