WHILE speaking at the International Conference on Indian Indentureship and Girmitiya Descendants recently held at the University of Fiji, Professor Steven Ratuva drove home the point when he said: “The term Fijian is a unifying one which gives us a common identity and a sense of intimate connection to this great country, whether one is iTaukei or Indo-Fijian.” (FT 24/3).
Well said professor. The timely reminder should rekindle renewed hope and evoke a sense of belongingness in our people. For it seems some of us are still unable to come to terms with the reality or want to cling on to the status quo. Hence the reluctance to discard our preconceived mind-sets towards embracing the paradigm shift.
Common name
Being called Fijians means we all have equal rights as citizens of Fiji as explicitly stated under Section 5 of our Constitution irrespective of creed, colour or race.
But are we ready and willing to embrace ourselves as people of one country and to fulfil our role and duty as true countrymen? If not, then what is holding us back? Is it because we are not ready to accept each other as fellow citizens because of our ethnicity, cultural and religious diversity?
Or could it be that the sharing of the name Fijian is construed as disenfranchisement of the identity of the indigenous population. Or perhaps the granting of equal status is perceived as encroaching upon the special rights of others.
And of course there are some who may feel alienated by the events of 1987 and 2000. Neither does calling one another kai Viti, kai Idia, kai loma, etc. help with the unification given the inherent racial connotations attached to those terminologies.
Wisdom shown by chiefs
Presently we are at the crossroads of building a new Fiji as envisioned under our Constitution. There is no doubt that calling all citizens Fijians will promote goodwill, racial harmony, peace and tolerance among our people which is essential for forging national integration. But that feeling of brotherhood must come from our hearts.
The wisdom shown by the Chiefs and vanua of Rewa to accept the descendants of indentured labourers as children of Rewa is a gigantic step in that direction. Tui Noco Ratu Isoa Damudamu deserves to be commended for championing this unprecedented move. Now the onus is on the Fijian community of Indian descent to reciprocate the gesture through their actions to protect and preserve this newly forged relationship.
At the same time we must be mindful that we are at a critical juncture of shaping a common destiny premised on a shared vision for all our people. Hence it is absolutely imperative that we exercise restraint and refrain from saying or doing anything that could derail the efforts to unify the people of Fiji. As Prof Ratuva has correctly said: we need to build bridges and not walls.
Patriotism
If we are truly committed to instilling a sense of ownership for our nation into our citizens then it is pivotal that we create an environment conducive to free speech and exchange of views not only on issues affecting their lives but also of national interest as well without fear or intimidation.
Such empowerment is an essential ingredient to invigorating the patriotic feeling towards their homeland. Otherwise we will be Fijians only in name and the underlying objective of building a strong, educated and resilient nation founded on democratic principles will be defeated.
Patriotism is normally measured by how proud the people are to live in their country. And whether their country is superior or inferior to other countries. And this depends a lot on the way they are cared for, treated and their rights are protected. We have witnessed on many occasions how our people come together to assist their fellow citizens in times of need especially during natural disasters. Is this patriotism or merely an act of compassion? Former president of America Ronald Reagan once said that if we love our country then we should love our countrymen.
Be bold for change
In 2012, when a paramedic student was brutally raped and thrown out of a moving bus in India the incident sparked widespread public outrage where thousands of people took to the streets demanding death penalties for the perpetrators.
Recently, a local woman was reportedly stripped-searched in public.
There was not a whimper of any outcry from the public leave alone a protest march. Have we become so timid and impotent as a society that we cannot even raise our voice against such inhumane treatment? Where is our empathy for our fellow citizens?
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day “Be bold for Change” is a timely wake-up call for all of us to stand up against all forms of discrimination, injustice and ill-treatment. So what are we waiting for?
* The views expressed are that of the author and not of The Fiji Times.