Our Love Among Corona

Corona & Racism Happening

Luky asked me why I came home so quickly from Allan's apartment. I usually spend a lot longer. I could see her happy face when she opened the door for me. Sumringah with her special smile. He did not ask for details and concentrated more on what food I wanted to eat. It's more important to him to make sure my needs come first. He never let me go hungry. It must always be quick to move when it comes to food.

I tried to forget what happened at Allan's place. I decided not to meet him until my heart was no longer tossed in confusion. I busy myself with thinking, working and reading the news, CORONA. Not only reading the news about Corona, I also tried to update the condition of my friends who are currently spread in various countries. I heard the condition of the virus not only destroyed business but also the personal lives of many people. Even racist conditions are mushrooming in their daily lives.

I read my friends' posts on social media about how much Racism is happening, especially to Asians. Even my friend who works in Germany posts, how he was insulted by people and shouted from outside the restaurant where he worked.

"Hey sell what are you guys? The corona? Go back to your country!" For days he and his colleagues had a hard time. The restaurant is quiet, as Asians are thought to bring bad luck with Corona.

Since the presence of Corona from China, many people do not understand that the name of the disease can come from anywhere. Maybe Corona from China, there is a severe flu that once also came from Spain. Not to mention Ebola and so on from Africa. The world has a history of pandemics, but humans often contract one acute illness, forgetting. Not the possibility of various diseases can indeed come from anyone and from anywhere. Illness does not look at tribes, religions, countries and continents. This is a world with many previous pandemic experiences.

I also joined an expat group in Tallinn. Where can I access all the information about expat life in Estonia. There are some stories of those who were treated so racially, especially to Asians and Africans. Having an Asian face is sometimes difficult in Corona's time. Not only experiencing discrimination at home, at school, on campus, at work and even at the airport.

Group expat reported how there were cases among them were beaten by a group of people, reviled in public and told to return to their home country because it was considered to bring disease. Racist because Corona occurs not only in Estonia, in Germany, in Indonesia, but in various countries in the world.

"Maybe you have to be careful when you get out. I've read a lot of news about racism or other discrimination that is happening right now" Luky said as we both read the news.

"I knew. But tomorrow's weekend we'll be out together. There's Mas Senar and Alif too" I said.

"Yes, we just never know. Just in case be careful".

Luky's right, however I have to be careful. Being with a friend may be okay, but if you are alone, of course. I've had experience with people who are racist. Been blasphemed on the bus, in the bar and on the street. Before the Corona happened, especially now in the Corona period. However, for the physical case, never, usually just speech or mockery.

This weekend we plan to visit a location called Kommunismiohvrite Memoriaal. This is a location that serves as a reminder in times of war and when Estonia was still colonized, many people were killed or made to Siberia. It was later built with walls and walls carved with all the names of people who were lost or killed in those days. A tribute to them. Because the majority among these people were also Estonian scholars who were deliberately omitted in those days. This is a story I hear from my Estoni friends.

"Eh btw, Dina & Melly why not follow?" Luky asked on the sidelines reading the news.

"Mbak Dina has an event at her husband's house. Melly to Helsinki with her husband" I replied.

"Oh Okay. We'll meet at the location tomorrow, right? String & Alif don't want to stop by Sinj first, it's close to here".

"Yes, I met you at the location, he said. Later from there they stopped by, he said he wanted to play Durak".

While I, proceed with cooking rice while reading the racist cases that are going on. Even happened in Indonesia experienced by Chinese friends. The world, I thought.

***

We arrived earlier than Mas Senar and Alif. Standing in the long hallway on the left right is fitted with black ceramics towering along the hallway. This is where their names are engraved. Who left in wartime and did not return. Some others also visit this place. An old woman stood long before these engraved names. Perhaps among those killed was his family, who knows.

Alif decided to visit this place. Even though I have been here a few times myself. In addition to the museum in this area, where to remember the historical event, monuments, walls, there is a large park here. Tower rises, a small hill that leads to the sea. From above, you can enjoy the view of the Baltic Sea. Sometimes Fery also passes from the port of Tallinn to Helsinki or vice versa.

"Look, did a bunch of guys follow us? How come the road is fast and I'm angry? We're not doing anything wrong in this place?" I started to panic, seeing 3 men walking quickly towards us.

No one else answered, 3 men ran and Gedubak hutmukuli Mas Senar, Alif & Luky at the same time.

"Hey! Hey why why?" I'm at a loss for words.

"**** you Asian people. You brought Corona to our country!". One of them told us and rebuked us.

They stopped hitting and cursing us in Russian. I saw Mas Senar, holding back the anger and it only took a split second.

"**** you, I can't hold this anymore" Mas Senar blasphemed furiously and jumped in reply to the three of them.

He opened his Silat style and within a minute all three fell on the ground.

"Well get out of here" Take Senar.

We were stunned between still being shocked and fascinated by what Mas Senar did in an instant. In a flash of a stance capable of incapacitating the three of them in an instant.

The four of us jumped in the bus and left the area. I could see all three stroking their faces and hands that were still in pain. I can't hold back my tears, there's nothing wrong with being Asian. This kind of racist treatment is unacceptable no matter what.