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Cultural Reconstruction In Post-Genocide Indonesia: Difference Incorporated

Marvin Hayes

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Published in The Dance That Makes You Vanish: Cultural Reconstruction In Post Genocide Indonesia (Difference Incorporated)

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The mass violence of 1965-66 in Indonesia, known as the "Indonesian genocide," resulted in the deaths of an estimated 500,000 to 1 million people. The violence was perpetrated by the Indonesian military and right-wing paramilitary groups, and targeted members of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and other leftist organizations.

In the aftermath of the genocide, the Indonesian government sought to suppress all memory of the violence. The PKI was banned, and any mention of the genocide was forbidden. This resulted in a collective trauma that haunted Indonesian society for decades.

The Dance That Makes You Vanish: Cultural Reconstruction in Post-Genocide Indonesia (Difference Incorporated)

by Rachmi Diyah Larasati

4.4 out of 5

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In the late 1990s, Indonesia began to undergo a process of political and social reform. This process included a re-examination of the genocide and its legacy. In 2000, the Indonesian government issued a formal apology for the genocide, and in 2001, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established to investigate the violence.

The TRC's findings, which were released in 2004, provided a comprehensive account of the genocide and its impact on Indonesian society. The TRC also made a number of recommendations for how Indonesia could move forward from the past and build a more just and inclusive society.

One of the TRC's key recommendations was that Indonesia should adopt a policy of "difference incorporated." This policy would recognize and respect the diverse cultural identities of the Indonesian people, and would seek to create a society in which everyone felt valued and included.

The Indonesian government has taken a number of steps to implement the TRC's recommendations. In 2006, the government established the National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM),which is responsible for monitoring human rights abuses and promoting reconciliation.

The government has also provided funding for a number of civil society organizations that are working to promote reconciliation and cultural reconstruction. These organizations include the Indonesian Solidarity Network for the Families of the Victims of the 1965-66 Violence (INSAN),the Institute for Peace and Democracy (IPD),and the Human Rights Working Group (HRWG).

These organizations have played a vital role in raising awareness of the genocide, providing support to victims and their families, and promoting dialogue and reconciliation between different groups in Indonesian society.

The process of cultural reconstruction in post-genocide Indonesia is complex and ongoing. However, the progress that has been made in recent years is a testament to the resilience of the Indonesian people and their determination to build a more just and inclusive society.

Challenges to Cultural Reconstruction

The process of cultural reconstruction in post-genocide Indonesia is not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the legacy of trauma that remains from the genocide.

Many survivors of the genocide continue to suffer from PTSD and other mental health problems. They may also have difficulty trusting others, and they may be reluctant to talk about their experiences.

Another challenge is the lack of social and economic opportunities for many Indonesians. This can lead to feelings of frustration and resentment, which can make it difficult to build bridges between different groups in society.

Finally, there is the challenge of historical revisionism. Some groups in Indonesia continue to deny that the genocide ever happened, or they claim that it was justified. This can make it difficult to build a consensus on how to move forward from the past.

Despite these challenges, the process of cultural reconstruction in post-genocide Indonesia is moving forward. The Indonesian government and civil society organizations are working together to raise awareness of the genocide, provide support to victims and their families, and promote dialogue and reconciliation between different groups in society.

The process of cultural reconstruction in post-genocide Indonesia is a complex and ongoing one. However, the progress that has been made in recent years is a testament to the resilience of the Indonesian people and their determination to build a more just and inclusive society.

By embracing the principle of "difference incorporated," Indonesia can create a society in which everyone feels valued and included. This will be a society that is more resilient to violence and more likely to flourish in the years to come.

The Dance That Makes You Vanish: Cultural Reconstruction in Post-Genocide Indonesia (Difference Incorporated)

by Rachmi Diyah Larasati

4.4 out of 5