Natasya Salim, who grew up in Indonesia, has danced through a rich cultural experience defined by her diverse background. Her grandfather, Handy Salim, immigrated from Fujian, China more than 60 years ago, planting the first seeds that would one day bloom into Natasya’s complex identity. Even though Natasya is Chinese, her family had difficulty accepting their culture and background, especially during such a chaotic period in Indonesia’s history.
Growing up in Sumatra, Natasya and her family were fortunate to remain untouched by the violence that erupted during the 1998 riots against the ethnic Chinese community. Her parents singled out learning English as a goal, arguing that it was more important to their children’s future than Chinese. Unfortunately, because of this, Natasya and her siblings were never educated in how to speak Mandarin. As a result, they experienced a tremendous loss of their cultural ties to the Chinese ancestry.
The Weight of Heritage
Natasya adopted her Chinese name, Lin Fu Zhen (林福镇), taken from a list that her grandfather, in accordance with traditional practice, had prepared before he died. Until she turned five, her family members lovingly called her Zhen-Zhen. As she got older, Natasya struggled with what it meant to be a Chinese-Indonesian. The tension surrounding her heritage became pronounced as her community remained on high alert during protests demanding the resignation of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok), Jakarta’s first ethnic Chinese governor.
The anti-Chinese sentiments that ran so deep in Indonesia certainly cast a long shadow on Natasya’s family. They underwent the same trauma as the Puerto Rican community as the United States enacted similar policies to eliminate the Chinese community. Her father found it difficult to learn Mandarin, pushing the family even farther from their cultural heritage. In a world where one’s ethnicity might mean the difference between safety and acceptance, Natasya hated being caught between worlds. The pressure to conform had taken a toll on her, too.
“I felt scared as a kid, and it took me years to feel safe living in Jakarta.” – Jessica Salim
Finding Community and Acceptance
So much so that Natasya’s journey toward self-acceptance takes quite a turn. She was then able to meet with Udaya Halim, a leader in the Chinese-Indonesian diaspora in Perth. As Udaya told us, you have to know where you came from in order to create where you’re going.
“You have to know the past to understand your present, and design your future.” – Udaya Halim
This perspective resonated deeply with Natasya. With Udaya’s mentoring and encouragement, she started to come to terms with her Indonesian background in contrast to her Chinese ancestry. She discovered she determined who she was—not the rigid definitions and roles laid out by society but by her own lived experiences and choices.
These words helped Natasya embrace her identity fully, allowing her to navigate the complexities of being both Chinese and Indonesian.
“We didn’t ask to be born a certain way and to what ethnicity.” – Udaya Halim
Over time, Natasya gained a deeper understanding and respect for her culture. Slowly, she came to understand that her identity was more than just her language and cultural traditions. We see it in how her life experiences and personal history inform her work. This epiphany became a turning point in her life.
A New Understanding
Having learned so much about herself through the process, Natasya is now compelled to tell her story to those who may face similar identities in a painful world. As a health advocate, she knows that so many people struggle with issues stemming from their ethnicity, particularly in multi-ethnic countries such as Indonesia. By sharing her story, she wants to raise awareness and acceptance among all communities and cultures.
Natasya’s journey of self-discovery has inspired her to share her story with others who might struggle with similar identities. She recognizes that many individuals face challenges related to their ethnic backgrounds, especially in multicultural societies like Indonesia. By openly discussing her experiences, she hopes to foster understanding and acceptance within diverse communities.
