IssueEight

Table of Contents

Front Cover
by Ying Qian 10A

Write-Ups
DbyiscSrairmainnyaatioRnagauga1i0nAst Migrant Workers 1

bWyhyBoawreenpTeeohple10rAacist? 5

Teachers' Write-Up 8

Shades of skin by Angela 10A 12

LHeidisduerne Gems 13

Baked with Love 15

The Watchlist 17

POItShAe'rss Flower and Grass ( Year 10 ) 18

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST

MIGRANT

WORKERS

In Malaysia, there is estimately three to six million migrant
workers. Migrant workers here are subjected to passport
confiscation, low pay, poor living conditions, punishment by
fines, high recruitment fees, forced labour, human trafficking
and even salary deductions. These vulnerable minorities in
Malaysia lack the rights to the freedom of association,
peaceful assembly and expression. Prior to the pandemic, in
2016, Malaysia decided to strip migrant workers to their right
to access public healthcare. Given the fact that migrant
workers are highly dependent on public medical services,
theis measure only resulted in the decrease of quality and
access to healthcare by migrants.

This unfair predicament
resulted in them not
getting their money's
worth in healthcare
despite migrants, and
their employees, and
agents paying billions of
malaysian ringgit per
year in taxes and other
payments.

Those that have undocumented healthcare needs are only
able to access private healthcare, because if they try to access
public healthcare, immigration athiriires will be notified, and
will then be arrested. They have feared getting public
healthcare attention due to brutal enforcements by police,
immigration, and customs forces. The situation for these
migrant workers have only gotten worse since the beginning
stages of the pandemic. Many migrant workers, especially
undocumented ones have unfortunatrly lost their source of
income. As a result, they are unable to pay for food, rent,
medicines, basic essential needs unless they have tested
positive for COVID-19, in which case their needs are filled by
the government.

Only the migrants that

provide government

sanctioned ‘essential services’

are allowed to work, but their

safety relies on whether the

company they are under

complies with the rules set by

the government. The rules are

meant to ensure workers are

safe from the risks of COVID-

19, but there is almost no one

to monitor this consistency.

Established in 1993, with more than 9000 members in more
than 175 countries, CIVICUS are striving to give migrant
workers the rights that they deserve. An organization called
CIVICUS is a global alliance of civil society organizations and
activists dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil
society throughout the world. Their vision is to reach a
worldwide community of informed, inspired, committed
citizens that are engaged in confronting the challenges
facing humanity. CIVICUS is currently coaching migrant
leaders to make sure their communities have access to
networks that provide services and accurate information
about the needs to those who are providing services.

They are also fighting

misinformation related to

migrant workers and

refugees since the increase

in spreading information,

blaming them for the

widespread use of the

virus. Many migrant

workers will remain and

will need aid, so they are

developing a supply chain

to support them.

Migrants are amongst the firsts to be victimized and
discriminated against during the pandemic, as they
are neglected and don't have a strong safety system.
Malaysia also has a problem with their statistics as
they doctor the numbers of those in the poverty line
and has failed to address the problems resulting in
the huge numbers of undocumented workers due to
the meddling of the deep state. As mentioned before,
in the long term, the economic contributions of
migrants ended up benefiting everyone else other
than migrants themselves.

WHY ARE PEOPLE
“There is no such thing as race. None. There
RACIST? is just a human race — scientifically,
anthropologically.”
- TONI MORRISON

What makes somebody racist 1.Greed & Self - interest 2.Representation in Media
against another human being to Many experts believe racist beliefs Racism in the media is not always
be so Deprecating to another were developed to justify self- malicious, but it has incredibly
human being. That’s the question interest and greed. For almost negative effects regardless of
I asked before I dug around the 400 years, European investors intent. As an example, Black
internet to find the answer to my enslaved people through the people are over-represented in
query. During this search, I’ve Transatlantic slave trade to media stories about poverty and
learnt about the history behind support the massive tobacco, welfare. This affects Black people’s
racism, the origin and I plan to sugar, and cotton industries in the view of themselves as well as
share it with you today in this Americas. Slavery was cheaper society’s perception of Black
chapter of the magazine. than indentured servitude, so people.
slavery was a business decision,
To summarize racism not just in not a reflection of hatred or
the states but as a whole is not an bigotry.
easy task. But I'll try my best to
give you my take on “Why People
Are Racist”.

VOLUME IV PISA PAPERS

WHY ARE PEOPLE It doesn't matter who you are, where you
RACIST? come from. The ability to triumph begins
with you — always.

OPRAH WINFREY

3.“Good” people who don’t challenge 4. Failing to recognize Racism in 5.Quick, Unconscious Judgements
racism oneself In places like the United States,
Racist ideas flourish when “good” In places like the United States, people aren’t good at recognising
people refuse to talk about them. people aren’t good at recognizing racism in themselves. There are a few
While many people don’t agree with racism in themselves. There are a few reasons, including the country’s
racism, they fail to confront it head- reasons, including the country’s failure to reckon with its racist legacy
on, which makes them ill-equipped to failure to reckon with its racist legacy and the persistent myth that being
recognise all the forms of racism. This and the persistent myth that being “colour blind” is the best way to end
problem has a long history in the colorblind is the best way to end racism. Many well-meaning people
United States. White abolitionists may racism. Many well-meaning people think if they just “love everyone” and
have fought to abolish slavery, but think if they just “love everyone” and ignore race, they can never be racist.
they did not go after the laws and ignore race, they can never be racist. They often fall into the trap that as
beliefs that kept Black people from They often fall into the trap that as long as they aren’t wearing a white
being full, equal citizens in America. long as they aren’t wearing a white hood or using racial slurs, they’re in
Many even ended up contributing to hood or using racial slurs, they’re in the clear. However, believing in
racism as they still saw Black people the clear. However, believing in platitudes like “I don’t see race” or
as inferior, though not so inhuman as platitudes like “I don’t see race” or “All lives matter” ignores history and
to deserve slavery. “All lives matter” ignores history and pretends that the US has overcome
pretends that the US has overcome all its problems regarding race.
all its problems regarding race.

VOLUME IV PISA PAPERS

" IT IS NOT OUR
DIFFERENCES THAT
DIVIDE US. IT IS OUR
INABILITY TO
RECOGNIZE, ACCEPT,
AND CELEBRATE THOSE
DIFFERENCES."

AUDRE LORDE

VOLUME IV PISA PAPERS

Closing thoughts
By Bowen Teh

The thought of why people are racist Justice is what love
has always been a mind boggling looks like in public.
question for me. Aren’t we all people I
would think to myself. Now I am Cornel We
st
more clear on the subject on why

people are racist and as I was diving

deep into the internet I ran into an

article related to racism in malaysia.

In the article a report was mentioned

called the “Malaysia Discrimination

Report 2021”. The report according to

Pusat Komas said that the number of

incidents of racial discrimination and

racism more than doubled from 21 in

2020 to 53 in 2021.



The report says: “The year 2021 has seen its fair share of

inclusive policies and sloganeering aimed to embrace the

spirit of inclusivity, unity, and respect among all Malaysians.

However, these initiatives were undermined by hypocrisy, as

the government trumpeted inclusivity and togetherness but

reverted to the use of racial rhetoric to seize and maintain

power. Race-based approaches towards policy planning

continue to obscure class divisions which eventually

perpetuate systems of inequality.”



I’ll save you the details of that There was also a viral video of Islamic

report but let’s just say there university students of different races

were some very gloomy reports joining hands to clean a Hindu temple in

much to my dismay however ther Taman Klang Utama. These students

was a saving grace, they were the deserve to be applauded again.

61 initiatives by the government
and ordinary people to combat So, while the situation is troubling it leaves By Bowen
Teh
racism, racial discrimination and me with hope that many ordinary people

xenophobia that Pusat Komas ,YOU, and some level-headed people
identified last year. holding posts will continue to rise beyond
race and religion.
The report noted that some flood
victims praised foreigners for Racism is very simple on the surface but
coming to their aid in Hulu underneath it lies centuries of false
Langat and Taman Sri Muda, Shah information, tampering from the
Alam, both in Selangor. government media, scientists and personal
beliefs that don’t hold any merit. That is my
take.



"Have racial
stereotypes affected
how people have viewed

you?"

Mr. Muhammad

To be honest, as a teacher I have somehow
felt racial stereotypes taking place in

some of my classes and being directed at
me but they have not quite affected me

personally. The main reason is that I
disregard what people think of me and
would always speak my mind telling them
they have to accept people as they are.

Mr. Muhammad

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aaytocnohpiuepalrreolsslaryetraludfnnnidpsfi tcerhyrrooimcmwae, ive racial

you make
nd return
inating in
to wit:














acknowledge the fact that their ethnic group is not

the only racial group there is on earth and that no

specific race is superior to other races if it is only

based on people's looks, skin colours and some other

characteristics.

PISA Papers

Shades of Skin

Our people, the “yellows” in foreign countries
Getting treated unfairly, beaten up and mocked
“Ching chong”, “dog eaters” and “the virus”
All those names we get called
Unvaccinated, unmasked, calling it human rights
Blaming Wuhan for the virus but they got it under control,
while you are still saying “it doesn’t kill”
The disrespect towards native, indigenous cultures of your own,
Where did the false sense of supremacy come from?
Goes all “black lives matter” until you realize you are out of the spotlight
You are not the twelve-years-old getting killed for playing with a toy gun
Nor the innocent woman who was killed in her sleep by a forced entry
So why do you have a say in this?
Tamir Rice, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Daunte Wright, Andre Hill,
Breaks my heart knowing the list goes on forever
Know the names of the people killed unrightfully
Fight for their justice and may them all rest in peace
All the same, human, breathing, and living
Why do the shades of our skins affect how we are treated?

PISA Papers

Hidden
Gems

The Butlers
Alternative / Indie

The Butlers, a band from New Zealand creates music that are
undeniably a breath of fresh air in nowadays music industry.
Producing alternative and indie music, their music often hides a
hint of jazz, which is, a cherry on top. If you are in the mood to

dance, or groove, The Butlers is the way to go.

WHY ARE WE ALWAYS WAITING

"The song is essentially about not being able to be yourself around certain groups of
people or in a workplace due judgement and tall poppy syndrome which is
unfortunately pretty common among New Zealand culture."

No Good Nina

"And yes, No Good Nina is about a real person." said drummer George Berry.
Yep, that's all we know about the song

Cats on the Cliff

Personally, I absolutely loved the trumpet parts from the song, kudos to the
trumpeters. The Butlers didn't expose too much about the song's background and
interpretation, all we know is that this song is a bop.





The Watchlist

GENRE
Documentary (Blaxploitation)
STARRING
Rod Perry, Damu King, Don Chastain, Dianne Sommerfield...

WARNING: PROFANITIES

DIRECTED BY JOHN EVANS

PLOT
This documentary follows the life of Clarence Avant, the ultimate,
uncensored mentor and behind-the-scenes rainmaker in music,
film, TV and politics. The film depicts his story, told by the people
he worked with. Avant, known as “the godfather of black music”,
is perhaps not well known by the general public, but very famous
in the music industry. He discusses the physical abuse he and
his mother suffered at the hands of his stepfather while growing
up. There are positive messages about the power of keeping and
maintaining friendships, of being direct and assertive in what
you want out of life, and how Avant's work behind the scenes
was crucial in helping the careers of so many Black artists, and,
directly and by extension, the civil rights movement.

118 MINUTES



PISA'S

FLOWER & GRASS

PISA'S FLOWER

Jasiel - Perseverance

"She is an inspiration to me, even though she
has been through a lot, she still toughs it out
and doesn't let it bring her down."
"A welcoming and a great friend"
"She is always there when someone needs
help. Also, a great leader"

Ying Qian - Act of Kindness

"She always treat people nicely, and help
others a lot. Everytime I get stressed or
get in trouble, she always keeps me
accompanied and comforts me."
"She has a genuine heart, and it should be
recognized."
"She is kind, helpful, and pretty. She
handles tasks perfectly too."

PISA'S

FLOWER & GRASS

PISA'S GRASS

Masanao - Hard-working

"He manages his time carefully and is never
late to classes. Besides, he also finishes his
homework on time and submit to the teacher
before the due date."
"He won many awards in sports. Active in
P.E. class"

Samurai - Friendly

"He is really kind."
"He always has a smile on his face and is
willing to be friends with anyone. He also
laughs at my stupid jokes."
"Even I am younger than him he talked to
me kindly."
"Just Cause he is very kind and smiles alot"

PISA'S

FLOWER & GRASS

SMALL NOTE:

The next Pisa's flower & grass event will be
voting for year 9s student.
Feel free to ignore if you do not know or
Unfamiliar with anyone in year 9, it is not
compulsory to vote
Please take note that if you did not response
the form seriously, we will have to delete your
response.
The form will be send out as soon as possible,
please keep an eye on your email, we will also
post a story on our instagram account as a
reminder.
Please keep in mind that we will only accept
submission of responses sent in by 21st
October.
Your response will be kept anonymous, feel free
to fill in!

Find us on:

@pisapapers
@PISA Papers Club
https://linktr.ee/pisapapers
[email protected]