An undergraduate gave her view on the Rally. She lamented the fact that the issues raised were not anything new. Sometimes they are purposely done because people still do not see their importance.
Race and religion are issues which are still not fully understood by Singaporeans. The AWARE saga is a huge piece of evidence. She may have understood them but what about others? Does she know that the webchat on the Rally was mainly on religion? Also, it may have been only one incident, but it could have had far more dire consequences to our nation's security and harmony, if the church leaders had not stepped in with official documents, to quell any misassumption that it was a denomination rather than overenthusiastic individual Christians, who were the masterminds. Moreover, she herself admitted that we merely "theoretically" know what multi-racialism is. The contrasting pictures of our past and present are very meaningful for younger students, so that they do not take our nation for granted. Not everyone is "grateful for what has been done" for her.
The topic on foreign talent had already been spoken on by his father and birthrates is a topic that has been discussed in the newspapers. By asking for these to be mentioned at the Rally, is she not contradicting herself in requesting old issues to be reiterated? Looking at our past achievements is a reminder that we can continue to overcome the various challenges we are facing as well. Call it human psychology but we do need to be brought back to the past so as to allow it to aid us in our future. This form of encouragement is really not as belittling in nature as she perceives it to be.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
One united people, even when abroad?
Maria Siow, a reporter stationed in China for CNA, gave two examples on how Chinese Singaporeans can be too exclusive in their group and are thus unaware of Singaporeans of other races. Being the majority race does not mean that they are exempted from instilling unity.
Imagine a Town Council chairman ignoring the needs of an Indian reporter during a press briefing. He spoke throughout the event in Mandarin and eventually embarrassed himself when she had to remind him of the Indian reporter.
The National Day celebrations held in Beijing for the Singaporeans there, also brought out Chinese Singaporeans' ugly side. They said the Pledge in Mandarin even though their Malay friend was with them. She felt so left out that she walked away from them at that moment. They are Chinese Singaporeans and this means that they are fluent in English. English is our first language after all, the first language of all Singaporeans. That was really insensitive of them. So what if they were in China? It was Singapore's birthday, not China's. This only serves to justify the protection Singapore's constitution offers Malays. It may contradict the notion of race equality we advocate, but it is obvious that if the government does not protect them, the other races are not.
Imagine a Town Council chairman ignoring the needs of an Indian reporter during a press briefing. He spoke throughout the event in Mandarin and eventually embarrassed himself when she had to remind him of the Indian reporter.
The National Day celebrations held in Beijing for the Singaporeans there, also brought out Chinese Singaporeans' ugly side. They said the Pledge in Mandarin even though their Malay friend was with them. She felt so left out that she walked away from them at that moment. They are Chinese Singaporeans and this means that they are fluent in English. English is our first language after all, the first language of all Singaporeans. That was really insensitive of them. So what if they were in China? It was Singapore's birthday, not China's. This only serves to justify the protection Singapore's constitution offers Malays. It may contradict the notion of race equality we advocate, but it is obvious that if the government does not protect them, the other races are not.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
My humble thoughts on PM Lee's review of the Aware saga
He labelled it as "an attempt by a religiously motivated group, who shared a strong religious fervour, to enter civil space, take over an NGO(non-governmental organization) it disapproved of, and impose their agenda." That makes the group led by Josie Lau, a deficiently intelligent group. Yes, I am being polite here. What makes them think they can impose their biasedly religious views on a secular group? It may be their attempt to evangelise and to spread God's teachings to others, but this method of doing it is too extreme. Yes, I am a Christian too, in case you are wondering. However, I think they are a disgrace to we Christians. One of the rules set by PM Lee to counter this extremity in religious fervour, so as to prevent it from affecting the overall harmony of the nation is "Rules which apply only to one group cannot be made into laws that apply to everyone." It is a clear message to the group, that frowns upon what they did. Another one is "religion must stay separate from politics." It is probably an instruction to the group not to try that stunt again.
It was definitely "hardly the way to conduct a mature discussion of a sensitive matter where views are deeply divided." They are adults and surely know that it was a sensitive matter. Sexual education usually is. After all, parents try to avoid talking to their children about it. The irony is that most of them are mothers. As adults, they should have known too that their method was immature and unbecoming. It was practically a usurpation of power. Do they think they are in one of the Dynasties of China? They are in Singapore, unfortunately for them. "not whether we can express and propagate those beliefs and values". Isn't it rather subjective to focus on evangelization at the expense of respect to others? "Respect and recognition for others who do not share the same set of ideals are absolutely vital". "Norms of tolerance are(sic) necessary if we are to co-exist even with people with very different values. It requires deliberate, cultivated restraint". Sometimes it is more right not to fight for our rights.
"an attitude of 'live and let live' has to prevail, actions flowing from religious beliefs and faith practices must not offend against the imperative of maintaining and enhancing the precious mores of multi-racialism in our society". They are not children and so they should know that "Stronger religious fervour can have side effects which must be managed carefully, particularly in a multi-religious society." This is self-explanatory. "faith communities continue to recognise and respect the virtues and imperatives of diversity, respect and tolerance".
Thank goodness, there were "many Christians" who were worried about the further implications this would cause. They were at least more rational. To add to it, the National Council of Churches and our Archbishop issued official statements to quell the gradually erosive wave on our unity.
Editor's note: It seems as if I'm regurgitating the quotes from the PM's speech but I selected these particular ones, because I feel they are outstanding on their own and can immediately explain my view on the Aware saga. Of course, I have included my own thoughts in this entry too.
It was definitely "hardly the way to conduct a mature discussion of a sensitive matter where views are deeply divided." They are adults and surely know that it was a sensitive matter. Sexual education usually is. After all, parents try to avoid talking to their children about it. The irony is that most of them are mothers. As adults, they should have known too that their method was immature and unbecoming. It was practically a usurpation of power. Do they think they are in one of the Dynasties of China? They are in Singapore, unfortunately for them. "not whether we can express and propagate those beliefs and values". Isn't it rather subjective to focus on evangelization at the expense of respect to others? "Respect and recognition for others who do not share the same set of ideals are absolutely vital". "Norms of tolerance are(sic) necessary if we are to co-exist even with people with very different values. It requires deliberate, cultivated restraint". Sometimes it is more right not to fight for our rights.
"an attitude of 'live and let live' has to prevail, actions flowing from religious beliefs and faith practices must not offend against the imperative of maintaining and enhancing the precious mores of multi-racialism in our society". They are not children and so they should know that "Stronger religious fervour can have side effects which must be managed carefully, particularly in a multi-religious society." This is self-explanatory. "faith communities continue to recognise and respect the virtues and imperatives of diversity, respect and tolerance".
Thank goodness, there were "many Christians" who were worried about the further implications this would cause. They were at least more rational. To add to it, the National Council of Churches and our Archbishop issued official statements to quell the gradually erosive wave on our unity.
Editor's note: It seems as if I'm regurgitating the quotes from the PM's speech but I selected these particular ones, because I feel they are outstanding on their own and can immediately explain my view on the Aware saga. Of course, I have included my own thoughts in this entry too.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
A journalistic venture into another job industry
A reporter was given the assignment of using her resume to apply for a hypothetical job in a totally different industry. Ground rules were issued: she could not accept any job offers and could not apply for jobs requiring professional qualifications. She has an Honours degree in English Literature, as I have. As a result, graduates like us have problems applying for jobs with specific qualifications, because we have a general degree. At the same time, it enables us to work only in the Arts sector, if we want to make complete use of it.
She applied for almost every job in the market. She found out in the process that good communication skills, which our degree equips us with, is a skill that is sought after. She made up for her lack of work experience in the stipulated areas with a willing attitude to learn the ropes of the jobs. I remember that this same attitude helped me land a job completely unrelated to my degree. My reason for changing industries was to take a break from the one I was in.
She also learnt that the job offers she had received were mostly on sales of insurance policies and real estate. Perhaps her communication skills stood her in good stead. She had to do profiling tests as part of the selection process. I remember having to do one too, when I was applying for a job to do with managerial duties. Of course, I later discovered that it was an insurance company I was applying to. Insurance companies are the majority of potential employers who peruse my online resume. What is it with their fascination with someone who holds a Literature degree and has been teaching for most of her working life? Perhaps it is also my communication skills that attract them. Unfortunately for them, I am not someone who enjoys working in the sales industry. It was while I was doing the test, that I realised that my calling was to go back to teaching. Every answer I put pointed the way to that.
She had applied to a company that sells lavatory products and the comment she received over her status as a mother seems rather discriminatory. She had been told that maternity leave represented "a disturbance in the workplace". Employers nowadays are supposed to be more pro-family. This company seems to be the exception. Productivity and work efficiency are what matters to it.
The result of her venture was that she had received only four offers out of a hundred applications. It is also a cold, hard truth for me to learn. :S
She applied for almost every job in the market. She found out in the process that good communication skills, which our degree equips us with, is a skill that is sought after. She made up for her lack of work experience in the stipulated areas with a willing attitude to learn the ropes of the jobs. I remember that this same attitude helped me land a job completely unrelated to my degree. My reason for changing industries was to take a break from the one I was in.
She also learnt that the job offers she had received were mostly on sales of insurance policies and real estate. Perhaps her communication skills stood her in good stead. She had to do profiling tests as part of the selection process. I remember having to do one too, when I was applying for a job to do with managerial duties. Of course, I later discovered that it was an insurance company I was applying to. Insurance companies are the majority of potential employers who peruse my online resume. What is it with their fascination with someone who holds a Literature degree and has been teaching for most of her working life? Perhaps it is also my communication skills that attract them. Unfortunately for them, I am not someone who enjoys working in the sales industry. It was while I was doing the test, that I realised that my calling was to go back to teaching. Every answer I put pointed the way to that.
She had applied to a company that sells lavatory products and the comment she received over her status as a mother seems rather discriminatory. She had been told that maternity leave represented "a disturbance in the workplace". Employers nowadays are supposed to be more pro-family. This company seems to be the exception. Productivity and work efficiency are what matters to it.
The result of her venture was that she had received only four offers out of a hundred applications. It is also a cold, hard truth for me to learn. :S
Xenophobia in some Singaporeans
I've heard of Singaporeans being unhappy over foreigners competing with them in school and at work. In school, locals see them as strong rivals where examination grades are concerned. They claim that teachers show favouritism towards the foreign students. I believe there is a reason for that. Foreigners have a better studying attitude as they are aware of the amount of funds used in their move to study here. Locals tend to take their education for granted. If the tables were turned, locals would exhibit the same characteristics in a foreign country. Locals should instead use their presence as motivation to do better, shouldn't they?
At work, foreigners have been accused of snatching the rice bowls of local workers. Is that a fact, or did it stem from insecurity? This attitude can cost locals their jobs, in their refusal to co-operate with their foreign colleagues. Such is the perception towards foreigners, who aim to earn a living as we do. Truly, this is a narrow-minded mindset. It also indicates distrust towards our government's concern for our welfare, doubting its desire to provide for its people.
Many privileges have been granted to the locals and some are even at the expense of the foreigners. Should we not be grateful?! They have borne the brunt of things. Our minister mentor brought out a very harsh truth, that if our own standard of English is not high enough, we cannot expect the foreigners to have a high level of English as well. First look at the plank in your own eye before the speck of dust in your brother's eye.
At work, foreigners have been accused of snatching the rice bowls of local workers. Is that a fact, or did it stem from insecurity? This attitude can cost locals their jobs, in their refusal to co-operate with their foreign colleagues. Such is the perception towards foreigners, who aim to earn a living as we do. Truly, this is a narrow-minded mindset. It also indicates distrust towards our government's concern for our welfare, doubting its desire to provide for its people.
Many privileges have been granted to the locals and some are even at the expense of the foreigners. Should we not be grateful?! They have borne the brunt of things. Our minister mentor brought out a very harsh truth, that if our own standard of English is not high enough, we cannot expect the foreigners to have a high level of English as well. First look at the plank in your own eye before the speck of dust in your brother's eye.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Speech sound
The controversy over a deejay being asked to leave due to her oral skills, causes me to recall the way I speak and the views of others on it. Over the course of my degree, I had been exposed to lecturers of different nationalities. They ranged from Irish, British and American, to Indian. As a result, I unconsciously lapse into a tinge of the Western accents when I speak. This is not a deliberate adoption of the accents, by the way.
Whenever I take cabs, the drivers seem to think I am not Singaporean as a result. I assume they encounter most who do not speak as good English? Yes, I am rather good at English, thanks to my passion for the language. When I speak Mandarin, they seem to think I am from China. I believe it is because I interact with students from China and use Mandarin to translate certain English terms, for their comprehension. In the process of teaching them, I learn new Chinese words from them.
Whenever I take cabs, the drivers seem to think I am not Singaporean as a result. I assume they encounter most who do not speak as good English? Yes, I am rather good at English, thanks to my passion for the language. When I speak Mandarin, they seem to think I am from China. I believe it is because I interact with students from China and use Mandarin to translate certain English terms, for their comprehension. In the process of teaching them, I learn new Chinese words from them.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Travelling on the MRT just gets worse.
Actually witnessing able-bodied ladies who sit in the reserved seats, where the only baggage(pun) they carry is a shopping bag or their handbag, is really irritating. They try to cover up their misdeed by either using their handphone, sleeping or talking to their companion. This detestable behaviour simply cynicises my desire to ask for a seat. I cannot stand too long due to my leg condition. I feel tempted to take a picture of such outrageous behaviour but I don't want to taint my camera with their images. Can you blame me for loudly remarking on these idiotic people?!
The horrid manners of MRT commuters has taken a new turn, with people turning a blind eye to the sight of a girl being molested. I would have been incensed if I had been there. The sole person who tried to prevent the crime had no backup from the rest of the people present! Can you imagine how selfish Singaporeans have become?!
The horrid manners of MRT commuters has taken a new turn, with people turning a blind eye to the sight of a girl being molested. I would have been incensed if I had been there. The sole person who tried to prevent the crime had no backup from the rest of the people present! Can you imagine how selfish Singaporeans have become?!
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