Of Romancing the Poor and "Rabak" Bullshit

yes, i'm quite skeptical when i face with works that deal with "social" issues. Bear in mind, social activism are fashionable where we have middle class turned to weekend activists - who fight a cause for poor or marginalized communities over the weekend and back in their comfort zone on Monday, ( comfortably snugged in their air conditioned condo and have Englsh breakfast and tea in Mont Kiara )

flooding their IG or social media with photos of them posing empathically with poor kids, supported with quotes of Mother Teresa or Gandhi, they hark over sentiments, injustice and yes systematically capitalizing on  romancing the poor.

Just like this a photographer decides to do a series on orang asli villagers who don't get electricity in an exhibition. The "artist" aims to spread awareness.

Konon......

Nevermind, most orang asal are acommodative, for sure they "know" the photographer's intention or maybe not. Or maybe they couldn't be bothered at all.

-

As most orang asal are nomadic and they tend to break free from the main village due to various reasoning  ( such as fought with their neighbor or cant fit with the system ), hence they will make homes further away from areas that are suitable for electricity aids.

Look again at the photo, though lacking electricity, note they have food and other basic necessities to warm them at night. 

For the past 10 years, I've been fortunate enough to travel deep into the jungles ( not to find sobbing materials nor snapping photos of them ) being poor, sad and miserable but to build them a new fucking home.

Same goes with art exhibitions lamenting about fake grieving disguised as love and make believe emotions. Trust me, audience will smell this ultra bullshit.  



 


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