Salam Dua Jari (or "Why I Care About an Election in a Country Other Than My Own")

Today is a good day.

On July 9, Indonesians went to their respective polling places to choose who would be their president for the next 5 years.

Legitimate news outlets and quick counts produced by respected organizations reported that the current Governor of Jakarta (and former Mayor of Solo), Joko Widodo (or Jokowi as he is commonly known) was the winner with anywhere from a 5.5 to 7 percent lead. These results were contested by the candidate with less votes and the country had to wait until today, almost two weeks later, to learn the results. Millions of paper ballots from the entirety of Indonesia had to be counted by hand.

As many people expected and based on the original projections, Jokowi was announced the winner with a total vote percentage of 53.15%.

Today is a good day.

I first learned about Jokowi in 2011 when I visited the town of Solo, Central Java, where Jokowi was serving as mayor. The town looked different, it felt different, and people looked happier. From a planning perspective, Solo was doing something right. I asked my friend about it and was quickly told that it was because Solo had an amazing mayor. Jokowi was (and is) known for the rapport he created with the people. I was also told that he had sought the counsel of urban planning professionals and others in order to make his city beautiful and functional. From more humble beginnings that most politicians, he listened to the people in the community. He heard them. To me, it seemed he respected their opinions, perspectives and dreams. He empowered them. To me, he loved them. I've been his fan ever since.

In 2012, Jokowi was elected to the position of Governor in one of the largest cities in the world, Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. From the very beginning, he started making changes. Continuing his vision, he empowered the people. He listened to them. He respected them. He worked hard, tirelessly pushing for efficient government services, clean rivers, responsible leadership, honesty, and service to the communities. On a recent visit to Jakarta, I could see his influence...I saw the rivers being cleaned, I road the buses with exclusive lanes, I walked on safe, maintained sidewalks. I saw clean parks and big trees. And I felt the love.

It's hard to believe that one person can make such a difference, but he has. Known for his down-to-earth style, plaid shirts with rolled up sleeves, and a penchant for Metallica, he hasn't done the amazing things he's done alone. He is a catalyst. An empowering human being who loves his people, his community, and his country enough to work to be the change. Listening to the people, honoring the integrity of tradition, humble and intelligent in seeking counsel from professionals when needed, and strong enough to get the job done, Jokowi is the penultimate leader who can inspire, empower, and most of all, love.

People all over the world deserve such leaders; leaders who have a vision for a better future for all people - every person in the community. I believe Jokowi is that person for Indonesia. I am very happy for my friends here who will enjoy a bright, empowered, and love-filled future!

And that is why I care about an election in a country other than my own. All citizens, everywhere, deserve a leader who loves them.

Today is a good day. Salam tiga jari.

On Politics...and Perspective

There seems to be little consensus on the definition of "Politics", but as I define it and as is described here,

Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions.

I like this way of considering politics because as we all know, any time a decision is to be made, whether at home, in the office, in our places of worship or of course, in our national/social relations, some form of politics (based on power) is involved.

Sometimes when people think of politics they think of elections, forms of government, and national leaders. For me, politics is much broader and everybody, whether intentionally or not, plays a role in that process.

This is the year that Indonesians will elect a new president. It's a big thing here in the relatively new (70-something year old) democracy and based on what I've seen, while the context is different, the story is the same.

The choices, without going into too much detail, seem familiar; conservative/progressive, right wing/left wing, old guard/new breed - who will it be?

Beyond those common terms, there is a bigger issue and it is not confined to any one place, but in a very basic way of thinking. (more on that later)

Today I realized that our decisions, no matter where we are, are always based on more than a person, party, or process, but on our individual world views; how we see the world. Is it a scary place? Is it a beautiful place? Are we, as individuals, full of fear for ourselves and others, or full of love and compassion, as scary as that, too, often is?

My cousin and I were having a meaningful chat the other day and I mentioned to her my dislike for the word "expatriate". I do not like being considered as such, to which she responded "well, cuz, you most certainly are one now". I thought really? Yeah, I don't think so, but I couldn't figure out why.

Now I know.

Usually when we use the prefix "ex", it implies that we have broken from the following word, so in addition to its meaning that such a person no longer lives in the country of origin, to be an expatriate implies that we no longer support or associate with our country of origin. Here's the Miriam Webster definition...

I don't like that because while the meaning may be accurate, the implication is just not true. Most certainly in my case, but I'm sure for others, as well.

What then, is an appropriate term for a person who no longer lives in their country of origin, but who still loves it, supports it, and specifically, believes in an idealistic concept of democracy?

Global citizen? World Citizen?

By choosing to replace the term "expatriate" (which for me sound terribly negative) with a different term (which sounds vague, to me, and possibly scary to many!) isn't as much about meaning or implication as it is about perspective.

A friend of mine converted religions long before I knew him. In describing that metamorphosis, he said it wasn't about leaving one as much as it was about "expanding into the other" - not leaving who you were behind, but growing bigger to encompass new ideas, new perspectives, and sometimes, new beliefs. So maybe a better term for "expatriate" is "expander"; one who expands.

Now back to perspective. In the words we choose to use, as well as the information we use to make decisions, it seems to me, as absolutist as it may be, that people primarily begin at one of two places; a place of love, hope and faith or a foundation based on fear, exclusion, and protection.

In this election year, it's obvious that those two choices are forcing people to evaluate how they make their decisions. The choices are in stark contrast to each other.Will they choose a candidate based on their hopes, their inspirations for a better future for all citizens? A new, empowered life? Or will they choose the seemingly tried and true, comfortable shoe because they're scared that the new pair might be uncomfortable and can't be broken in?

Democracy requires an educated populace and a desire, I would say, for freedom. Freedom to innovate, Freedom to "be". And the freedom to choose our leaders.

My point is that all decisions are processes of politics that are based on a set of perspectives and beliefs.

Very often, the end result isn't as important as how the place from which we're speaking when we make important decisions impacts our very lives; in our homes, in our work, in our communities, societies, and countries.

I know I know for sure

That life is beautiful around the world

Around the World

Red Hot Chili Peppers