Antapani Literacy Democracy Through Literacy Angle

His name is Mang Oded's Democracy Literacy Corner. A reading room for Bandung residents, especially the youth. This Literacy Corner is located at the Antapani Tengah Sub-district office, Bandung.

Since it was inaugurated on December 30, 2021, by the Acting Mayor of Bandung, Yana Mulyana, the Literacy Corner is still active until now.

The Head of Central Antapani Lurah, Teguh Haris Pathon told the Democracy Literacy Corner to the Public Relations of Bandung City.

"Even though it was inaugurated by Kang Yana Mulyana, it's called the Mang Oded Literacy Corner because he planned this. But when it was finished, he left us first," said Teguh, Monday, March 14, 2022.

While sipping his tea, Teguh resumed his journey to the Literacy Corner. Apparently, in Central Antapani there is not only a Literacy Corner but also a Reading Cart.

"The difference is, this Literacy Corner is the result of our collaboration with the General Election Commission (KPU) of the City of Bandung. Although there is already a Democracy Literacy Corner, we also integrate it with the Reading Cart, the result of our collaboration with the Bandung City Government," he explained.

This Literacy Corner is often used by Karang Taruna. They used to gather while reading the political books available here. Yes, as the name implies, this Democracy Literacy Corner aims to increase public insight and concern about politics.

"Here there are about 70 books with political themes. We want young people to care about the election of mayors, governors, yes it is related to democracy. So, in the future we also want to form a democratic cadre for Central Antapani," said Teguh on the sidelines -interrupting the conversation.

The function of these democratic cadres is to motivate other young people to be more concerned with politics. Because Teguh feels, young people nowadays seem indifferent to the world of politics. Moreover, of the 22,000 residents in Central Antapani, 30 percent are youth.

"If there is an election, youths prefer to abstain. I often hear the reason for that: Ah, it's a bit weird (it's still like that). In fact, this election of leaders will determine our fate for the next 5 years. Now, how long are we going to care about democracy?" he said.

As for the Reading Cart, it consists of general books, such as parenting, entrepreneurship, and religious discussions. These Reading Cart books are a gift from the Bandung City Library and Archives Service (Dispusip).

"Usually those who like to read are PKK women while doing activities or meetings," he said.

Apart from being a place to read, the Literacy Corner is also a means for discussing politics. Teguh said that a political study with the Bandung KPU was held at the end of last December.

"We make a kind of talk show so that people also understand about democracy, the function of the books here is also explained. The rest they learn on their own in this place," he explained.

Not only adults, children also often visit the Literacy Corner. Even though they don't really understand the contents of these political books, they like to play the card of democracy.

This card is a kind of exercise for children to understand what democracy is. Some became mayors and governors. Then, other children will be given YES and NO cards to determine who they want to choose as leaders.

"There is also a simulation such as a card game for children. It trains them to learn what democracy is like. It's quite crowded, so this place is filled with children too," he said.

Of course, added Teguh, reading books and playing democracy simulation cards should only be done in the Literacy Corner. Cannot be borrowed and brought home.

"For the time being, the books that are here must be read on the spot, cannot be loaned out. We are afraid that we will forget to remind them later, the residents who borrowed also forgot to return them. We have also prepared tables and chairs. While using Wi-fi here, you can also," he added.

Teguh hopes that the Literacy Corner can be enlivened again with book reviews or discussions about politics.

"But we are looking for the budget first. Moreover, our plan is to form a democratic cadre, it must also be trained, yes. How to convey it to the citizens properly and accordingly," he said.

For the addition of his own books, Teguh said, he and his team always coordinate with the KPU and the Bandung City Dispusip regarding the addition of books in the future. Although for now, he feels, the books available are still appropriate and up-to-date.

"There are plans for additional books. However, for now, the books available at the Literacy Corner are the most up-to-date," he said.

A positive response also came from the Youth Organizations. The head of the Central Antapani Youth Organization, Indra said, since the existence of this Literacy Corner, the interest in reading among young people in the neighborhood has increased.

"In the past, we rarely read. We were more often busy playing cellphones, yes. But since there was this Literacy Corner, after a meeting with Karang Taruna, we read while discussing," said Indra.

Indra hopes that the Literacy Corner can be more lively with the presence of political figures who can be invited to exchange ideas.

"I want there to be discussion activities with political figures. Even though Pak Yana used to come, the time was less intense. Well, hopefully, later there can be a deeper discussion," he said.

Indra also added that he and his colleagues wanted to build young politically literate cadres. So that there is a regeneration of officers when the next election takes place.

"Usually it's the old people who are always involved. Well, we want to recruit young people so that there can be replacements," said Indra. (din)*

Head of Discominfo Bandung

Yayan A. Brilyana