Is That Bule Means A Racist Word in Indonesia?
When Deaf British people were visiting to Indonesia, I was being a tour guide for them and went to Keraton Yogyakarta (Kingdom Palace). There were five children asked a photo with them and called bule to them. My friends were saying okay and took a photo with these children. But, when we were in the mall, it was unexpected events started where there were people asked a photo and called bule to them. I thought it was too many request and I rejected their request. I told them, ”I’m sorry. You cannot do it anymore. Have you done before? So, it is enough for you and you cannot do it anymore. Please respect their privacy. Get out now!” I knew my friend started to feel uncomfortable but they enjoyed in the mall. They assumed that was because of Indonesian culture. I think it is not Indonesian culture but they make a mistake and it is bad habit to call bule then ask a photo with them.
In KBBI (Indonesian dictionary), bule is a white people, white tourist, and white nation, especially Europe, Australia, and America. I think bule is meaning white supremacy and white people is kind of high level of racial than other racial. So, Indonesian people will think bule is a good something and is better than other racial like Asian, African, Latino, Indian, Hispanic, etc. I can assume that was because of colonialize generation in Indonesia. Do you know about Indonesian history? Yeah, Indonesia was colonialized by the Dutch government in 1596 until 1942. It was almost 350 years. The Dutch people also are white people and Europe. So, that is why are Indonesian people rather like to call bule to white people when they visit to Indonesia. They don’t realize that word is a racist in Indonesian because they don’t know what is that meaning.
But based on my experience, I have my friend Asian American who studying in Indonesia. She is an American person descents of Asian. When I and she were eating in the restaurant, nobody cares who is she and never called bule to her. I didn’t know why that is. It was very big different with my latest experience being a tour guide. For example, if there Americans are different racial of white, black, and Asian are visiting to Indonesia, who is will called bule by Indonesian people first? Yeah, my answer is a white person, because bule is a white people. White American called bule and Indonesian people will ask a photo with him not others although they are American. African and Asian American never get the same treatment, despite they also are American. Is it fair to them?
Then, what is word should replaced? Orang Asing meaning foreign people in Indonesian. Orang asing is a good word, respect to all races, all ethnicities, and all countries, and show the equality of racial. That word will be representing all ethnicities and races are the same human and doesn’t care what are they race. If you still call bule, then it just degrades your race, Asian blood and you will do not proud of your Asian blood. Are you Indonesian? Yeah, Indonesia is an Asian country. So, you are Asian people. It is time should to show your Asian pride in the front of world.
Well, let’s change bule to orang asing terms to call foreign people are different of racial. Let’s improve awareness and show your Asian blood. And, let’s show the equality in the world!
