I once employed a particularly talented Malaysian head of operations in my advertising agency. He was selected by me personally, after having placed an ad and having gone to Malaysia to interview those on the shortlist. Thanks to my old ‘friend’ in the PR and media business (a Malaysian of Indian origin) whose staff met the candidates and prepared the shortlist. I interviewed those of Indian, Eurasian, Chinese and other origins. Malaysia is a wonderful, peaceful multiracial country! I picked the one I felt was the best; a Malay Malaysian. Some Malaysians are of the opinion Malay Malaysians are privileged and do not need any further encouragement. Well, that’s another immense subject on its own. I am sure I picked the best candidate amongst the 15 shortlisted, thanks to my old friend!
When my head of operations joined the company, I already had staff from The Philippines, Central India, Southern India, Eastern India, Poland, Lebanon and Syria in my little advertising agency of 13. Even a UAE National part time office administrator for a while. It made me proud. It made me even prouder that my clients were of equally diverse nationalities.
However, there were many racists within and outside my agency who were not happy about the situation. “How dare this little Indian POS not employ more Indians? Who the hell does he think he is?”
My Malaysian Malay operations head’s younger brother came visiting to Dubai. I happened to meet him. Smart, younger brother. When I mentioned my assessment, my head of operations suggested I employ his brother as well. Now, I do not employ relatives in my business. So I recommended his brother to a particularly large advertising agency group with which I was well connected. I am to this day.
Our candidate was given an appointment by the agency’s HR Director, with whom I was not familiar. How would I know the HR person? I never needed to meet an HR person to get a job. Frankly, I am glad I am still not familiar with that particular individual.
Our candidate returns from the interview, completely deflated. He refuses to tell me what happened. I am not one to accept emotional display of any sort without explanation, so I prodded him into divulging the sordid details. Surprise! He was asked by the HR Director why they needed to hire a Malaysian when plenty of Indians were available just a short flight away. He was not told they would review and revert (hate that word!), or that they would keep his file in file, or that he was not suitable for any opening, or that they did not like the fact that he was recommended… I can think of a hundred different ‘HR’ terms to convey ‘No’.
To set the record straight, I am a Malaysian of Indian origin. I was born in that country in 1958 and automatically granted citizenship, by law. My parents, brothers and I had a wonderful life in Malaysia, driver, gardener, maid in tow. We were completely spoiled. The reality around us was quite different, but we did not notice. I do not like suppression, racism and religious intolerance of any kind, no matter from where the practitioners come.
Fact is, the worst instances of racism I have encountered are between Indians themselves. I am of Indian origin. I lived in South India for 11 years. I didn’t understand then. India is too big. I’ve lived in the UAE for 20 years. I know now for sure. Intolerence between Northern Indians and Southern Indians, between Gujaratis and Punjabis, Sindhis and the rest of the Indians, Malayalis and Kannadigas, Biharis and the rest of the Indians down south. It’s clear in Dubai. 1.2 Million (no idea what the latest figure may be) Indians and 50 square kilometers of pure, unadulterated and concentrated racism.
Who are the least racist, most multicultural, most religiously tolerant and ingenious of all? The few hundred thousand citizens of the country who inhabit the United Arab Emirates, as outnumbered as they may seem.
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