21 September - 21 October...

...is the period for LDOPP!

What is LDOPP? It's the Lasallian Day of Prayers for Peace. It started out as a 'day', and now the name has stuck, but activities can go on for more than one day, as well as go beyond prayers.

Do check out older blog posts to find out more about LDOPP.

Activities will be held all over Malaysia in Lasallian schools during this period. The activities are in line with our theme for this year. Read on to find out more!!

Every year of LDOPP will have a different theme. The theme determines the topic of the information provided in the LDOPP kit for Lasallian schools. The theme for 2010 is ’Colourblind’.

‘Colourblind’ is an inability to recognise certain, or even all, colours. Alternatively, it is also used to describe a person who does not discriminate or judge others based on skin colour or ethnicity. This year for LDOPP, we are inviting all of you Lasallians to be colour-blind towards skin colours and to spread this message to other people. La Salle and his brothers provided education for the poor, regardless of nationality or skin colours. As Lasallians, it is up to us to uphold La Salle’s belief that everyone is equal.

To be ‘Colourblind’ is to be against racism. Racism is the belief that people of different races have different character or ability because of their race. It is also a belief that a particular race is better than others. The worst effect of racism is when there is abusive or aggressive behaviour towards members of another race because of such beliefs. A clash of differences can have many bad outcomes. Consider the information below:

· World War II (1939-1945) killed 52 million worldwide. The Nazi genocide against a number of groups: Jews, Gypsies and non-whites to name just a few was a clear example of racism.

· The genocide of Bosnians (1992-1995) because of Serb nationalism resulted in 200,000 killed, and 2,000,000 (million) refugees.

· In Rwanda (Central Africa) (1994), over a period of 100 days, up to 800,000 members of the Tutsi tribe were killed by another tribe, Hutus. As many as 10,000 were murdered each day.

Besides these major acts of racism, we also see racism happening in our everyday lives. For example, when someone judges another person based on his race and don’t want to be friends, when someone thinks that all people of a particular race are unintelligent, dirty, cheats, etc. These small acts of racism hurt others and can lead to larger conflicts.

What can we do about this?

As we all know, Malaysians are made up of many different races or ethnicities. Among us, there are people who are Indian, Orang Asli (Semai, Jahai...), Chinese, Malay, Iban, Kadazandusun, Punjabi, Melanau, Murut, and so many MANY more! The special thing about Malaysia is that the people from each ethnic group maintains their cultural identity, instead of being assimilated into just one culture. Yet, although the people are different, there is a common identity. We all belong to a multi-ethnic country called Malaysia. Despite all our differences, everyone is Malaysian.

To overcome racism, it is important to understand different cultures and celebrate the differences and colours that each culture brings to our lives. It is hoped that through the activities organised by Lasallians during LDOPP, we can:

- create awareness about racism and its effects

- understand that many people in this world are against racism and that we can be one of those people

- celebrate and appreciate differences instead of being afraid of them

- unite as Lasallians and Malaysians against racism

By having activities with this theme, we hope that more people will take the time to consider the impact of racism on others, as well as on their own lives. Only with knowledge can we begin to prevent race-based injustices, and to help those in need. Through YOUR efforts, people can begin to do what they can in their own capacity and choose to unite instead of divide.

Let us all choose and learn to be

‘Colourblind’.

We invite those of you who are out of secondary schools to be in solidarity with the Lasallians in schools - to do something in your own way to celebrate diversity and stand up against racial discrimination.