Marni, an indonesian who clings to her own culture

Marni, an indonesian who clings to her own culture

Unlike usual, Hansamu International Junior High School seemed quiet. It was because all of the students were gathered and centralized in the auditorium at the back of the school. It is said that Yu Wenxia, miss world 2012 would visit  Hansamu International Junior high school in her Asian tour a month later. Mr. Hananta as the principal of the school would held an Indonesian cultural festival to welcome the Miss world. However, because of the complains from the students, and the parents as well, the Indonesian culture festival was changed into Asian cultural festival.

When the registration stands were opened, most of the students lined and were centralized in Korean and Japanesse stand. Meanwhile there were only a few students in the Indonesian culture stand, they were Marni and her friends.

"Look at them! What are they doing there?", Cindy said satirically to her friends. "Well, after graduating from here, I wanna go to Korea, I'll make a Girl-band there, you all will see me as famous singer several years later, and they who lined there (while pointing at Marni and her friends) will be a street performers in a traffic light and live a miserable life in a village for the rest of their life. Life is for those who follow the trends!"

"However, I am proud of myself. I still cling to my culture", Marni said. Cindy pointed out the Japanesse stand and said "looked at them, at least they will go to Japan. Besides, my friends and I will go to Korea, but where do you want to go? Sleman? Pegaten? or Cibatu? hahaha", Cindy and most of the students were laughing out loud. Marni left with tears running down her cheeks. 

In her way, she bumped into Mr. Hananta, the principal of the school. "Are you alright? Why are you crying", the principal asked wistfully  After he heard everything, he smiled "Oh dear, why should you be crying? You should be proud of yourself. You are the one from a very few students who love your own culture. You are one of the heroine in this country". Marni cried " But they are right. Where could I go? At least they could go to Korea or Japan". "They only got a little chance of going there, and succeed as being an entertainer. In Indonesia, there are millions of people learning and loving foreign culture, but look at them. They are putting mask on their face as if they were colored people in Africa who painted their their skin white and pretended as if they were white people", the principal explained and gave Marni his handkerchief to wipe her tears. "Listen child, how can world respect you if you do not respect your own history, your culture? Just respect your identity, your culture, and then world will respect you. By loving and learning your own culture, you not only can go to Japan or Korean, but all over the world. Life is simple dear, if you were born as colored, just be a good colored people; if you were born as white, just be a good white people; and if you were born as Indonesian, just be a good Indonesian, Okay?". A light of spirit radiated in Marni's eyes. "Thank you sir, I will be the best of what I can be and do to this country", she said and proudly went back to the Indonesian culture registration stand although all of her friends moved to another stands.

A month later, there was a bad news from the Miss world whom her plan was suddenly changed. She had to go back soon to her country. However, after a conversation with Mr. Hananta, she would make a little time for the students to perform their culture and ability. All the students and the parents were gathered in the auditorium. "Hi guys", she greeted the audiences. "Firstly I would apologize to all of the students who have been rehearsing what you will perform now, because I cannot stay here for a long time, but because my intention here is to get to know your culture. I think it would be great if I see a performance of you before I leave". All eyes were staring at Marni, the one who fight to the bitter end. She came forward and performed several traditional dances. At that moment, world could see Marni, an Indonesian who  still clings to her own culture.