Remember The Titans

Lately I have often wondered, is it wrong to be different? Does the jargon “Dare to be different” can continue echoed when the majority used their power to repress the minority or those who identified as “different”? Will “unity in diversity” still relevant?

Remember The Titans made me learn about the differences and attempt to deal with it with open mind. To receive it by minimizing unnecessary prejudice. Coach Herman Boone, played by Denzel Washington, showed that it was not easy to be accepted by those who different from us. But it didn’t mean that the harmonious cooperation between different groups can not be realized. Indeed, it takes time and hard work, but it’s not impossible. Impossible is nothing.

I watched this film for the first time when I was in Jogja. I have to say thank you very much to my lecture who played this movie in his class. At that time, I thought the topic was so far away from my daily life. But then I remember, I had bad experience about it.

It was the last day of my final exam in junior high school. May 1998 was the worst time for us who lived in Solo, Central Java. I still didn’t understand what happened at that time. I didn’t understand why some people burned buildings in Slamet Riyadi street, or why our Chinese neighbours have to ran away from their home. For me, they are nice people, hard workers, and good neighbours. I couldn’t see what was their mistake.

My mother always taught me to respect others, no matter who they are. I keep her words in my heart until now. That’s why I was so happy and proud to spend some years of my life in Yogyakarta, a city where students came from all over Indonesia. My lectures, my friends, and my community where I used to live taught me the beauty of difference and the beauty of respecting others.

Recently, maybe some people feel scary to be (or to show that they are) different from others because they are afraid if the majority judge them and do some violence that threat their life. Somehow, I do (and still) believe that Indonesia is not only home for the majority but also for the minority. That’s why the government have to protect all the citizens, no matter what.

Finally, Remember the Titans taught me the same thing with what Kings of Convenience said in their song Homesick. It’s all about blended in perfection.