IT’S always interesting to meet acquaintances outside of formal settings, especially if the relationship is based merely on work.

We make associations about a person’s personality and disposition purely on the surface level to maintain “professionalism” (as we like to call it nowadays) and acceptable behaviours. We conceal our real selves behind our training and the boundaries defined by the workplace. Maintaining this is essential to keep our jobs, so that we get paid, so that we can buy the things we need, and maybe, indulge a bit in the things we want. We sustain a facade, which acts as a lubricant that keeps the social and cultural machinery running smoothly, so that commerce can do its “thang” since we live in the epoch of capitalism.

I recall bumping into a student in the hallway at my previous institution. He greeted me by playing an air guitar as we passed by each other. He made this friendly (not mocking) gesture based on the general knowledge (he had not yet been to my shows) on campus that I’m a musician. His idea of a “musician” is a person who shreds like Slash (of rock legends Guns N’ Roses) all the time. It put a smile on my face.

Another time, I bumped into a different student in a mall. He instinctively asked, “Sir, what are you doing here?”. I smilingly answered, “It’s a shopping mall, right? I was shopping… I shop, too”. We both laughed.

I bet all of you, being Malaysians, have at some point found yourselves representing your entire race (or at least the race that seems to be conveniently given to you on your MyKad) when hanging out with friends and you’re the sole person from your ethnic group (“Hey Azmyl, why are Malays…?”). Let’s just say I’m not the generic, prototype Malay that most people assume all Malay men are. And for each of you, I’m sure you, too, feel the same way. Or my favourite, being mistaken for a different race… and playing along with it.

In the humanities, binary opposition is used (predominantly in structuralism) to show how meanings can be generated out of two-term systems (O’Sullivan et al, 1994). In layman’s terms, from this perspective, meaning (including identity) is generated by determining its opposite, or what it’s not. Some examples are hot v cold, day v night, tall v short, big v small, male v female, adult v child, war v peace and East v West.

Identity formation from this perspective assumes that human beings make sense of nature and its relationships using very clear, divisive binaries. And simplistic people and groups, at least those with simple goals (like gaining political power and mileage), often use binaries to win the support of their target audience by scapegoating another group or community, preferably a minority.

As simple as this concept may be, it’s an illuminating method to understand how our world (and our ideas of the world) is more often than not an oversimplification of our perception of the order of things that may be beyond our so-called “rational” tendencies. We make sense of the world and ourselves through narratives that are frequently informed by a religious or faith-based paradigm.

The world is not a friendly place – ask the antelope in the savannah. Animals adapt and evolve based on the need to deter or escape from predators. So, if we humans fancy ourselves as the “evolved” or “chosen” species, how do we evolve further from those of our own species through means other than growing wings to fly away from demagogues or muscular hind legs to kick someone who disagrees with our political beliefs?

The simplest way is to educate yourself. No, not signing up for a course at an education institution or paying someone to tutor you. Just read. It’s good to have a teacher, but nothing beats an inquisitive, solitary mind. The world is not black or white – it’s mostly grey, and this huge grey area complicates things for simpletons, who can’t comprehend the vicissitudes of life, the ultimate gift of the Almighty. Simpletons will always make up the majority of most modern industrial societies because it’s easier to be part of the mob and not take ownership of your actions. They tell themselves little lies, and through repetition, start believing their own hype – and all hype is misguided.

Let’s celebrate and empower the grey. The brain’s major component is called the grey matter, after all. – July 3, 2020.

* Azmyl Yunor is a touring underground recording artiste, and an academic in media and cultural studies. He has published articles on pop culture, subcultures and Malaysian cultural politics. He adheres to the three-chords-and-the-truth school of songwriting, and Woody Guthrie’s maxim “All you can write is what you see”. He is @azmyl on Twitter.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.