Topper's TravelsTopper Kain's blog. Topper Kain is a world-famous kazoo player and traditional norwegian food chef. He wants you to use the comments. Thursday, July 14, 2005Well, there have been a few minor cosmetic changes to the blog, mainly the addition of Blogger supported comments, instead of the crappy old system I was using, and the addition of the title bar. What I really want to talk about though is some thoughts I've had while travelling through MalaysiaOne of the greatest things about going to Malaysia is the massive amounts of diversity and multi-culturalism. Malaysia has three (count em, THREE) primary ethno-religous-linguistic groups: the Muslim Malays, the Buddhist/Christian Chinese and the Hindu Indians. All most all Malaysians speak at least three languages: there own (home) language, the state-dictated langauge of Bahasa Melayu, and at least some English (this being a former British colony and all.) Almost all the signs are printed in at least two langauges, and you never quite know what langauge the next TV or billboard ad is going to be in. Each ethnic group does tend to group up into its own community, but these groups get along. What it all comes down to though for me is this though: this country is practicing a version of multi-culturalism that is very different from the US's version, BUT IT STILL WORKS. Despite our proud beliefs, we in North America do not hold the only title to a pluralistic society. True, Malaysia has its problems with equality and race relations (the Chinese are by far the most affluent group, but the Malay's control the government and deny some rights to the rest of the groups), but no more, and possibly less than, the US. It's just a good reminder that it remains important for us in the USA to pay attention the rest of the world, it still has stuff to teach us. Also, I've definatly learned that we need to encourage Malay and Indian migration to America, because the food here KICKS ASS!!!! .: posted by Topper 10:15 PM
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