Enggang sama enggang, pipit sama pipit, baru boleh terbang sama.
Are you sure? Enggang can definitely fly with Pipit!
Malaysia is home to a diverse community of people, but how often do we try to understand people who are different from us? There is a saying in Malaysia, “Enggang sama enggang, pipit sama pipit, baru boleh terbang sama”. The idiom roughly translates to “Hornbills fly with hornbills, sparrows fly with sparrows.” It means only people of the same class should be associated with each other. This initiative seeks to disrupt this norm.
have you been stereotyped?
Every community that lives in Malaysia is subjected to being stereotyped. This is especially true for marginalised groups, which leads to disempowering single-story narratives. It is happening around us every day.
“The indigenous need our help
to progress. Their land should
be developed for them to
be modernised.”
“The refugees are like parasites wanting to take our resources away. They should be sent back
to where they came from.”
“Stateless people are dangerous
and illegal. Their children should
not be in the same school as
our children.”
These narratives are disseminated through social and cultural institutions, mass media, and social networks, and significantly influence public opinion. In Malaysia, identities are often used as a political tool which puts social cohesions, community welfare and stability at risk. Tension can arise just from misinformation and disinformation. People tend to be afraid of what they do not know and very quickly choose to believe what is shared by their social circles. Often, this plays up the fear of their rights being infringed by ”others” and sows distrust. By stereotyping the entire community based on their identities, individuals from communities such as the urban underprivileged, indigenous, refugees, and stateless often found themselves in a highly disadvantageous position of being marginalised socially, economically and politically, which often leads to limited access to their rights.
Our theory of change
If we provide a safe and equal space for people to share their stories and the impact of being stereotyped, people will be aware of and advocate for fair representation and equal rights for all.
We firmly believe that our civil society has an important role to play in our vision to build strong, just and equal communities. We need to provide opportunities for individuals from all layers of society to engage and find solidarity in each other despite our apparent differences. With enough individuals who believe in the value of safeguarding everyone’s rights and dignity, we can close the gaps of marginalisation. We hope that Enggang & Pipit can be that catalyst for change.
Reducing Biases Across Age Gaps
Coming from an Indian-Kadazan background, it was very tough to mingle with my Malay peers because I wasn’t the typical Muslim.
I will not say that word again!
I blurted, “Sakai lah, you.” And she said, “Hey! Remember, you can’t use that word anymore.” I realise old habits die hard. But they die.
SHARING STORIES AND BREAKING DOWN WALLS
Listen to Sumitra and Shereen share their Enggang & Pipit experience on BFM and how it changed their perceptions.
Enggang sama enggang, pipit sama pipit, baru boleh terbang sama.
Are you sure? Enggang can definitely fly with Pipit!
Malaysia is home to a diverse community of people, but how often do we try to understand people who are different from us? There is a saying in Malaysia, “Enggang sama enggang, pipit sama pipit, baru boleh terbang sama”. The idiom roughly translates to “Hornbills fly with hornbills, sparrows fly with sparrows.” It means only people of the same class should be associated with each other. This initiative seeks to disrupt this norm.
have you been stereotyped?
Every community that lives in Malaysia is subjected to being stereotyped. This is especially true for marginalised groups, which leads to disempowering single-story narratives. It is happening around us every day.
“The indigenous need our help to progress. Their land should be developed for them to be modernised.”
“The refugees are like parasites wanting to take our resources away. They should be sent back to where they came from.”
“Stateless people are dangerous and illegal. Their children should not be in the same school as our children.”
These narratives are disseminated through social and cultural institutions, mass media, and social networks, and significantly influence public opinion. In Malaysia, identities are often used as a political tool which puts social cohesions, community welfare and stability at risk. Tension can arise just from misinformation and disinformation. People tend to be afraid of what they do not know and very quickly choose to believe what is shared by their social circles. Often, this plays up the fear of their rights being infringed by ”others” and sows distrust. By stereotyping the entire community based on their identities, individuals from communities such as the urban underprivileged, indigenous, refugees, and stateless often found themselves in a highly disadvantageous position of being marginalised socially, economically and politically, which often leads to limited access to their rights.
Our theory of change
If we provide a safe and equal space for people to share their stories and the impact of being stereotyped, people will be aware of and advocate for fair representation and equal rights for all.
We firmly believe that our civil society has an important role to play in our vision to build strong, just and equal communities. We need to provide opportunities for individuals from all layers of society to engage and find solidarity in each other despite our apparent differences. With enough individuals who believe in the value of safeguarding everyone’s rights and dignity, we can close the gaps of marginalisation. We hope that Enggang & Pipit can be that catalyst for change.
