I was looking through my LA paper just a few days ago, happy that for once I did well in a Literature test. I focused on Q2 of the paper, which asked about the forms of "courage" displayed in the Novel To Kill a Mockingbird. In a minute of mischief, I imagined myself as Atticus Finch and pondered over how I would explain what courage was to Scout Finch. I had always like to form personal philosophies in my head and echo them to my classmates. Meaningless words floated in the my head as I attempted to piece together a surprising complicated puzzle. Gosh, Philosophers do have it hard.
After a while, it finally clicked. The sentence reverberated in my head a few times before I finally whispered it out.
"False Courage is what compels you to do something when no one else would; True Courage is what compels you to do the right thing when no one else would."
I felt that it was a bit corny at first but then I thought of our society and well, it sort of made sense. Isn't our society made up of people who would willingly step forward for the benefit of the people and those who would not even move a muscle when they see someone in need?
I am not just talking about incidents out of the ordinary, like those people who watch wordlessly as a robber snatches a heavy purse away from a frail old lady or those who stand safely on shore as a young girl flails desperately in a murky canal. I am also referring to the common, everyday situation which everyday people like ourselves experience. Take our school life foe example. We have spent nearly our entire 13 years in this environment. Hence, it would be an obvious and blatant lie if any of us say that we have never seen a schoolmate struggling with his homework or a teacher appealing to the class to clear up the class. The next question is, have we ever failed to step up and offer a hand of assistance?
I can see two reasons for our lack of action. The first is cowardice. The second is indifference.
I define cowardice as the fear of doing what is right or what one believes in. I think a lot of us have a strong sense of what's right and what's wrong. However, when we witness injustice occurring, like when a classmate is being mocked at by your peers for something unjustifiable, we dare not step up because we are afraid that our actions are not justified, that others do not support us or simply because we are fearful of the shame of being mocked by our peers if we make a mistake. In my opinion, Cowardice is something we have to overcome ourselves. I think we must learn to trust our gut feeling and go through with what we think is right. I mean, stating all your thoughts in black and white and then being being laughed at is better than keeping all your frustration and indignation bottled up inside yourself, right? If you get laughed at but your intervention helps relieve someone's suffering, I think it is worth it.
On the other hand, I define indifference as the unwillingness to help or plainly ignoring someone in need. I think this is the evil in its most despicable form. How could someone just stand at a side and look on as someone suffers? I think the root cause for this is our upbringing in a calculative society. In Singapore, almost everything is subjected to a kind of grading system, be it a remark by someone of higher authority or a performance record. Everything, right down to what we say, is judged by people and put into numbers to so-called "reflect" our character. If we have a good grade or record, it means we are good, conscientious and the "model" for others to follow. If we get marked down with mediocre achievements, no one would spare an eye for us. Therefore, it our "jobs" as Singaporeans to excel in our own personal line of work and make sure that we ourselves do exceptionally well and stand out among the crowd. I think that this has lead us towards the direction of thinking that only the only people who matter in this society are ourselves and that everyone else is scum. Self-interest and materialistic gains triumph over a good heart and noble intentions in this society.
Unlike the problem of cowardice, the issue on indifference is not so easily fixed. Personally, I think this trend deteriorates following each generation. This inherent problem must be removed at the root, but right now, I think the roots are already too thick to be scraped.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Hypocrites~ Even on the bus
Haven't posted anything in ages. Here goes.
The bus 66 seems to house the most intriguing Singaporeans and the morning proves to be the best time to see Singaporeans at their most annoyed. Why do I say this? Observation. Working-class adults leaning flimsily against the glass windows, brows twitching inconsistently and irritably as a youth blasts music so deafening that it escapes the overwhelmed ear phones. A group of teenagers complaining endlessly over the unpleasantness of school life, while a group of equally dissatisfied group of adults look on, envious of their youth and freedom. But today, I am not going to delve into how unhappy Singaporeans are with their current lifestyles, I want to talk about a certain incident on this particular bus just a few weeks back.
I boarded the bus 66 in a dream-like state, not in the mood for conversation or listening to music. The bus was crowded. Very Crowded. It got on my nerves. A few students were clogging up the passageway, unbudgingly leaving their bags lying on those two empty spaces lining up the path to the back of the bus. Move in! For crying out loud, can't you see that empty space at the back! Then, I felt quite a singe of restraint and a slight tinge of embarrassment. Well, I did not really deserve to say much about the matter since I was guilty of similar inconsideration before. And I couldn't deny it. In a way, I was a hypocrite too. However, judging on what happened next, I think I could have forgiven myself...
It happened as I settled myself comfortably at a corner of the bus. I don't even know how I got there myself. Wait, don't stray off from the topic. There was this man, dressed impeccably in a suit, who boarded the bus. He was stuck at the entrance as kids and adults alike jammed the passageway. I was not really paying attention until he shouted in a hoarse voice, "Hey, can you all move to the back? There's still space there!" or something like that, I cannot remember too clearly. I thought he was crazy, demanding something like this even after surveying the uncomfortable mess in the bus. It worked, though.
The thing that shocked me was that after the bus' crowed cleared a bit, he was the one standing at the passageway! It might have been a bit brave for him to discipline the crowd a moment's ago but now, he turned on his own words! Was this inconsideration? Or maybe a wild lust for comfort? I knew it boiled down to hypocrisy.
I don't know. Hypocrisy is not all bad, is it? I mean, all humans are hypocrites, based on their words or actions. We must have all committed a hypocritical act in our 14 years as a person. Like some people say that it is wrong not to complete homework even when they are busy but in the end, they themselves give tall tales on why they have not completed their assignments. Well, this is only one of the many examples in this miserable world. Want more examples, come to my class and observe us for just 30 minutes. I am sure you will receive an eye-opening experience.
Hypocrites dot the world, standing in the shadows of every living human. We can't condemn them, so let's just try to keep unnecessary, idealistic and unfulfillable comments to ourselves.
The bus 66 seems to house the most intriguing Singaporeans and the morning proves to be the best time to see Singaporeans at their most annoyed. Why do I say this? Observation. Working-class adults leaning flimsily against the glass windows, brows twitching inconsistently and irritably as a youth blasts music so deafening that it escapes the overwhelmed ear phones. A group of teenagers complaining endlessly over the unpleasantness of school life, while a group of equally dissatisfied group of adults look on, envious of their youth and freedom. But today, I am not going to delve into how unhappy Singaporeans are with their current lifestyles, I want to talk about a certain incident on this particular bus just a few weeks back.
I boarded the bus 66 in a dream-like state, not in the mood for conversation or listening to music. The bus was crowded. Very Crowded. It got on my nerves. A few students were clogging up the passageway, unbudgingly leaving their bags lying on those two empty spaces lining up the path to the back of the bus. Move in! For crying out loud, can't you see that empty space at the back! Then, I felt quite a singe of restraint and a slight tinge of embarrassment. Well, I did not really deserve to say much about the matter since I was guilty of similar inconsideration before. And I couldn't deny it. In a way, I was a hypocrite too. However, judging on what happened next, I think I could have forgiven myself...
It happened as I settled myself comfortably at a corner of the bus. I don't even know how I got there myself. Wait, don't stray off from the topic. There was this man, dressed impeccably in a suit, who boarded the bus. He was stuck at the entrance as kids and adults alike jammed the passageway. I was not really paying attention until he shouted in a hoarse voice, "Hey, can you all move to the back? There's still space there!" or something like that, I cannot remember too clearly. I thought he was crazy, demanding something like this even after surveying the uncomfortable mess in the bus. It worked, though.
The thing that shocked me was that after the bus' crowed cleared a bit, he was the one standing at the passageway! It might have been a bit brave for him to discipline the crowd a moment's ago but now, he turned on his own words! Was this inconsideration? Or maybe a wild lust for comfort? I knew it boiled down to hypocrisy.
I don't know. Hypocrisy is not all bad, is it? I mean, all humans are hypocrites, based on their words or actions. We must have all committed a hypocritical act in our 14 years as a person. Like some people say that it is wrong not to complete homework even when they are busy but in the end, they themselves give tall tales on why they have not completed their assignments. Well, this is only one of the many examples in this miserable world. Want more examples, come to my class and observe us for just 30 minutes. I am sure you will receive an eye-opening experience.
Hypocrites dot the world, standing in the shadows of every living human. We can't condemn them, so let's just try to keep unnecessary, idealistic and unfulfillable comments to ourselves.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The unspoilt empire
While browsing through an online news site a few minutes ago, I came across an article regarding Mrs Jean Yip's approach on dealing with her children. In a short interview with a reporter, she revealed that she was a 'very strict and result-orientated mother', albeit owning an enormous fortune. Describing herself as a mother who "encourage(s) them[Her children] to try a lot of activities' while emphasizing "that if they start an activity or class, they have to finish it. There's no such thing as doing something halfway", she indicates that she limits her children's expenditure, insists that they complete their education and make them do house chores, despite the presence of three maids in the house.
You may ask why a extremely wealthy family running an extremely lucrative business would set such "extreme" limitations on their youths?
The answer is quite simple: To keep them from being Spoilt.
In this day and age, everything, from clothes to books to toys to food, are readily made available for the children by their parents. It bears almost no resemblance to the "old days", where I heard that families, including the young children, had to plant their own crops to obtain food and a source of income. Due to this, I think, children take what they have for granted and demand for more from their parents without sparing even a thought for the amount of blood and sweat their parents have put in. Of course, parents do not usually speak out against their children, in an attempt to please their kids.
I am not saying that it is our parents fault, neither am I saying it is ours. I mean, how could immature kids like us appreciate what our parents were providing us? For example, I remember a year ago, my brother received an expensive action figure from my parents and thanked them enthusiastically. A week later, however, my sister reported that the action figure with its colour fading, floating atop the tremulous surface of the bathtub water, while my brother stood in my parents room later that night whining for a new toy.
I guess in this materialistic society, we are not used to expressing our gratitude. However, I think this is something we should all embrace. No matter what we do in this life, or the next, we will never be able to repay our parents for what they have done for us. The time, the effort, the blood, the tears, the money. We will never be able to repay them, but for each of their gifts, we should thank them.
You may ask why a extremely wealthy family running an extremely lucrative business would set such "extreme" limitations on their youths?
The answer is quite simple: To keep them from being Spoilt.
In this day and age, everything, from clothes to books to toys to food, are readily made available for the children by their parents. It bears almost no resemblance to the "old days", where I heard that families, including the young children, had to plant their own crops to obtain food and a source of income. Due to this, I think, children take what they have for granted and demand for more from their parents without sparing even a thought for the amount of blood and sweat their parents have put in. Of course, parents do not usually speak out against their children, in an attempt to please their kids.
I am not saying that it is our parents fault, neither am I saying it is ours. I mean, how could immature kids like us appreciate what our parents were providing us? For example, I remember a year ago, my brother received an expensive action figure from my parents and thanked them enthusiastically. A week later, however, my sister reported that the action figure with its colour fading, floating atop the tremulous surface of the bathtub water, while my brother stood in my parents room later that night whining for a new toy.
I guess in this materialistic society, we are not used to expressing our gratitude. However, I think this is something we should all embrace. No matter what we do in this life, or the next, we will never be able to repay our parents for what they have done for us. The time, the effort, the blood, the tears, the money. We will never be able to repay them, but for each of their gifts, we should thank them.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
An interesting conversation
Today, while traveling home on bus 66, I chose a seat nearly at the back of the bus, since I was feeling a little down that I had forgotten to file one assignment into my Chinese file and delayed my submission.
By chance, I overheard a conversation between two youths who apparently just started work. One of them said something like, "you know ah, my friends told me yesterday that I did not act like a Singaporean". The other replied, "Aiyah, go to eat Mee Siam ans drink Kopi O lah." Then the former added on, "Chicken rice too." And that was it. End of a could-be-more-developed conversation.
Still, from this short but meaningful conversation, I would like to comment on their opinions on what the "being Singaporean" is. To them, the "being Singaporean" is following the same set of behaviour that all Singaporeans should follow. I think this has become some sort of culture for us. However, the culture I am referring to does is not race and religion. I am talking about behaviour and preferences. We have a deep rooted Singaporean Culture, an example of which is our supposed love for the Chili crab dish and Chicken rice.
Then again, does it stop there?
Personally, I do not think so. I think being a Singaporean just means that we need to have pride in our country. It is not so much of showing off to other countries that we have the best batch of educated students or that we have the most unique culture. I think as we grow up, we are influenced by the adults around us, who have already integrated into society as the "model Singaporean". I do not rally support this attitude. I mean, how can a country survive with exactly identical people, doing exactly identical things, living an exactly identical live and have an exactly identical preference? I am not denouncing the idea that Singapore should have a special culture, but the culture cannot control us. I do not think we should be judged based on the Singapore culture. We cannot criticise others for not acting like a Singaporean because in the end, it is us, the Singaporeans of today, who will have the say in what "being Singaporean" is.
By chance, I overheard a conversation between two youths who apparently just started work. One of them said something like, "you know ah, my friends told me yesterday that I did not act like a Singaporean". The other replied, "Aiyah, go to eat Mee Siam ans drink Kopi O lah." Then the former added on, "Chicken rice too." And that was it. End of a could-be-more-developed conversation.
Still, from this short but meaningful conversation, I would like to comment on their opinions on what the "being Singaporean" is. To them, the "being Singaporean" is following the same set of behaviour that all Singaporeans should follow. I think this has become some sort of culture for us. However, the culture I am referring to does is not race and religion. I am talking about behaviour and preferences. We have a deep rooted Singaporean Culture, an example of which is our supposed love for the Chili crab dish and Chicken rice.
Then again, does it stop there?
Personally, I do not think so. I think being a Singaporean just means that we need to have pride in our country. It is not so much of showing off to other countries that we have the best batch of educated students or that we have the most unique culture. I think as we grow up, we are influenced by the adults around us, who have already integrated into society as the "model Singaporean". I do not rally support this attitude. I mean, how can a country survive with exactly identical people, doing exactly identical things, living an exactly identical live and have an exactly identical preference? I am not denouncing the idea that Singapore should have a special culture, but the culture cannot control us. I do not think we should be judged based on the Singapore culture. We cannot criticise others for not acting like a Singaporean because in the end, it is us, the Singaporeans of today, who will have the say in what "being Singaporean" is.
Monday, March 1, 2010
E-learning: Interview with my grandfather(Interpersonal)
Well, I just completed a simple interview with my grandfather concerning hios views on Prejudice and Discrimination.
Interview:
JK: What do you think is prejudice in your opinion?
Grandpa: Prejudice is the root cause of misunderstanding. For example, in a multiracial nation like Singapore, it can create social unrest.
JK: What are your views on discrimination, then? How does it, well, begin?
Grandpa: Discrimination destroys fair play or equality, social equality, gender equality. It stirs up hatred among those who are discriminated against. Consequently, social harmony will break down. Discrimination often results from prejudice.
JK: Are there any instances in History where Prejudice or discrimination is shown?
Grandpa: Several decades ago, the American Blacks, due to cultural and social prejudice, were discriminated against in their work place, politics or even daily lives which happened even in the United States of America. 40 years ago though, when I was in school in the early 1970s in the USA, Black men on the streets seen with white women were beaten, sometimes to the death. However, even now, there was some unrest when President Barrack Obama ran for presidency.
JK: Is prejudice and discrimination wrong? In your opinion of course.
Grandpa: 你是不是在开玩笑？
Interview:
JK: What do you think is prejudice in your opinion?
Grandpa: Prejudice is the root cause of misunderstanding. For example, in a multiracial nation like Singapore, it can create social unrest.
JK: What are your views on discrimination, then? How does it, well, begin?
Grandpa: Discrimination destroys fair play or equality, social equality, gender equality. It stirs up hatred among those who are discriminated against. Consequently, social harmony will break down. Discrimination often results from prejudice.
JK: Are there any instances in History where Prejudice or discrimination is shown?
Grandpa: Several decades ago, the American Blacks, due to cultural and social prejudice, were discriminated against in their work place, politics or even daily lives which happened even in the United States of America. 40 years ago though, when I was in school in the early 1970s in the USA, Black men on the streets seen with white women were beaten, sometimes to the death. However, even now, there was some unrest when President Barrack Obama ran for presidency.
JK: Is prejudice and discrimination wrong? In your opinion of course.
Grandpa: 你是不是在开玩笑？
E-learning: Diary of Jem (Intrapersonal)
Dear Diary,
It isn't fair, is it? How could the Maycomb Jury convict Tom Robinson after all the evidence given? He was innocent, wasn't he? This... this is all nor right. It was Bob Ewell. He was the one, not Tom, not Tom Robinson. I can't accept this. I have lived here all my life. Sometimes life was hard, sometimes it was cruel but this! This is not just. I don't know what to be believe in anymore. How can I ever believe what anyone tells me now?
Atticus, how can this be possible? Answer me! Atticus!
Jem Finch
It isn't fair, is it? How could the Maycomb Jury convict Tom Robinson after all the evidence given? He was innocent, wasn't he? This... this is all nor right. It was Bob Ewell. He was the one, not Tom, not Tom Robinson. I can't accept this. I have lived here all my life. Sometimes life was hard, sometimes it was cruel but this! This is not just. I don't know what to be believe in anymore. How can I ever believe what anyone tells me now?
Atticus, how can this be possible? Answer me! Atticus!
Jem Finch
My learning profile
Woah...I will never know how the Birmingham Grid for learning works. Its results are right on the dot.
They are arranged from my best area:
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Naturalistic
Kinaesthetic
Visual
Linguistic
Logical
Musical
There is no use to deny my failure in music. I cannot play a musical instrument without creating havoc, cannot memorise my notes through a rhythm without angering my sister and absolutely do not bother to try again. On the other hand, I am quite wary of others around me, proving that the analysis of my interpersonal skills is accurate. That is why, for all those who wanted to know, I do not hurl abuses at others, throw people for no good reason and keep an eye on my classmates behaviour.
Well, this was just a short analysis of the results from my point of view. Now, time to start on the real work.
They are arranged from my best area:
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Naturalistic
Kinaesthetic
Visual
Linguistic
Logical
Musical
There is no use to deny my failure in music. I cannot play a musical instrument without creating havoc, cannot memorise my notes through a rhythm without angering my sister and absolutely do not bother to try again. On the other hand, I am quite wary of others around me, proving that the analysis of my interpersonal skills is accurate. That is why, for all those who wanted to know, I do not hurl abuses at others, throw people for no good reason and keep an eye on my classmates behaviour.
Well, this was just a short analysis of the results from my point of view. Now, time to start on the real work.
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