Young
people rejuvenate nationalism,
without
the propaganda
Diatyka Widya Permata Yasih ; A researcher at the
LabSosio (Center for Sociological Studies),
School of Social and Political Sciences at the University
of Indonesia
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JAKARTA
POST, 10 November 2014
Many believe that nationalism among the younger generations is
on the decline. The young are fascinated with popular foreign culture, like
songs, movies, fashion products and lifestyles, which seems to indicate they
have lost their love for this nation.
The global music industry has indeed attracted a following among
Indonesian youth. The young eagerly consume foreign music, making them a
significant fan base for foreign bands and artists.
There is also a tendency for the young to trust and prefer foreign
products with globally recognized brands that aggressively penetrate the
Indonesian market.
They idolize and follow foreign celebrities’ lifestyles, combine
Indonesian and English and prefer traveling on international routes instead
of to domestic destinations.
Yet some youth have used foreign influence to refashion and
reinterpret Indonesian cultural expressions, bringing forward some sort of
“contemporary” nationalism.
Contemporary nationalism has been pioneered by a new generation
of young trendsetters. Former MTV presenter Daniel Mananta established his
own clothing line, named “DAMN! I Love Indonesia,” comprising hip and trendy
graphic T-shirts.
Musicians like rock band Cokelat created Bendera (Flag), a hit
single that sold thousands of records. Another rock band, Netral, created
another patriotic song entitled Garuda di Dadaku (Eagle on My Chest).
Young entrepreneurs have also been trying to redefine the
meaning of nationalism for the 21st century, while seeking alternative means
to earn income and enjoy creative fulfillment.
Most of them sell good made-in-Indonesia food, cosmetics,
handicrafts, clothing and accessories, attempting to refashion various forms
of heritage. One example is by designing casual-wear shirts that incorporate
batik elements that give the venerable Indonesian textile a fresh,
youth-oriented use.
Other youths initiated independent projects to promote local
tourism, from establishing blogs and websites to share travel experiences to
organizing trips around Indonesia and historical places like museums.
Again, they seek to express their love for Indonesia and
persuade other youth to join them.
A couple of factors may have contributed to the shift in the way
the young express nationalism. The patriotic expressions of their seniors are
considered obsolete.
In the struggle against colonialism, the older generation
fashioned nationalism into a political vehicle that accommodated various
parties from diverse socio-economic and geographical backgrounds to achieve
an independent nation-state.
During the New Order regime, the state zealously established
several nationalism projects designated for the young, like obliging all
students to participate in flag ceremonies every Monday morning and making
compulsory subjects like “Pancasila moral education” and, later on,
“Pancasila and citizenship education”.
The idea of nationalism taught in schools though flag ceremonies
and compulsory subjects is part of the New Order education system, which for
the young is boring and a path of little meaning.
For the youth of today, national identity is needed to maintain
their roots in the globalized world. The young sense a strong need to follow
global trends and to feel modern and contemporary.
Hence, they still need to express love for the nation. They also
feel the importance of promoting the diverse and resource-rich Indonesia to
the world with the bonus of economic benefit.
This is because the market has received their creative
nationalist-inspired products.
Social media has played a significant role in facilitating the
rise and growth of this contemporary nationalism. Some of the young feel
their global friends see them as coming from a poor and even backward
country. As such they feel the need to show the nation’s beauty and how
Indonesian youth can be trendy, fashionable and hip without losing their
roots.
Social media has also better facilitated young people in
creative learning, creation and sharing and also in researching global trends
and local traditions.
Rather than the mandatory routines and propaganda of the New
Order, contemporary nationalism has evoked a voluntarily patriotic spirit
among the younger generations.
As such, it is important for the government, civil society, and
other parties to take this youthful nationalism seriously, to unite diverse
initiatives, expand its scope and reach a bigger goal. ●
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