Losing my way, and trying to find my way back

Just finished reading Dreams From My Father by a certain Mr Barack Obama. The story began with his Origins, detailing out his families’ genealogy and life and what caused him to begin questioning the role of his race in the world. In part 2, upon his graduation, with a confused state of mind to his racial identity and belonging and his worth to the world, he left a well-paying job to become a social activist in Chicago. He found his true purpose helping the downtrodden and needy, yet the questions he had from childhood never really answered. He found his answer in the 3^rd part, in Kenya, with something I felt was an overtly exaggerated dramatization of his epiphany about his true calling.

Regardless of whether some parts were fictionalized or not, it was a wonderful narrative, and the context and the framework for the questions playing out in his mind anout his identity very frankly admitting the fragile self-esteem of those used to be at the behest of those used to become conquerors. Today’s Guardian had a nice review on Avatar which pointed out the metaphorical nature of the movie to the violent genocide done by the European conquerors of America. There are many parallels also to Malaysia’s situation – a fragile “ruling” majority living in worry of being superseded by other more agile, dynamic races here in Malaysia.

On a personal level, I find it imperative I find my peace and overcome the bitterness and enmity which characterized Obama’s life. The calling to the cause took place after that was settled – to find our way, to find the right thing to do, the right level to act, the right interactions to cultivate….

This to be continued.