When we mention the Indonesian nation, does it mean Javanese, Buginese, Madurese, Sundanese, Minangkabau, Balinese, or other identities vanish and dissolve into it?
Similarly to the Slametan, in communal life, societal life, and national life, every individual and group should be recognized and valued. In this unity and gathering, the representation and rights of every individual and group should be acknowledged and respected, regardless of their political, economic, religious, or cultural representation and rights. Thus, within this unity, the public space or public policy should remain open and accessible to every individual and group within it.
If in the Slametan, the representation and rights of every individual are acknowledged, valued, and the public space is accessible to everyone, why do dominance, exploitation, marginalization, wealth-poverty disparity, and monopolization of public space still prevail in communal life, societal life, and national life in Indonesia? If in the Slametan, we can gather (gaze at each other, greet each other, and embrace warmly) with different spirits, why in community, nation, and state life do we fear, then deny, differences? Perhaps only our constructions and imaginations have gone astray. We must learn from the Slametan!
Translated from here.