What is the true meaning of Christmas? It is a question heard often during the Christmas season year after year. The meaning of Christmas seems to be forever in danger of being lost by all the commotion and promotion of the season. Is it the presents under the tree, the lights in the windows, and the cards in the mail, et cetera, et cetera? Is this really Christmas? Besides what The Bible says about Christmas, I think Christmas is about giving, sharing and loving all humanity regardless of race, language, religion, gender and age. It is not just one day. Christmas can be - should be - every day.
Ed's article on The Meaning of Christmas, and A Merry Christmas to All strikes a chord and I totally agree with him that Christmas 'is not a day of compensation, where we make up for our self-interested behaviour throughout the year...'. It's the genuine concern and interest one shows to another human being without any ulterior motive, and that is the true spirit of Christmas that one should practise throughout the year.
Merry Christmas to All!
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
Sunday, 24 April 2011
Is Malay truly singapore national language?
The following was placed as a brief comment beneath the article, ‘Using foreign teaching methods to teach Malay?’ source
‘Without the influx of the foreign talents, singapore is already a different country. Over the past decades, the vibrancy of a diverse, multicultural country has been replaced by a chinese fascist, legalist state. With the elevation of chinese culture over the minorities, speak mandarin campaign, SAP schools for the chinese, celebrations of chinese festivities, HBD quotas to control the races,etc, etc, etc, it is very clear that the chinese has ruled this small island, taking over the Malays who are the rightful owners in this island.’
In the article by Dr Wong Wee Nam, all these talks about how the stature of the Malay language is not going to be the same whether to teach Malay as a foreign language or the use of foreign teaching methods, is not critical. The teaching methods though important, the recognitions and opportunities rendered to the Malays are KEY. This allows the Malays to know that they have equal opportunities as the chinese which is not the case today.
Why would the Malays be motivated to learn the Malay language, when the chinese TV programs are getting all the hypes, the only programs you see on TV in coffee-shops are chinese, when one could hardly see Malay stalls in coffee-shops, just in the selected few, and the important or key job positions in companies are filled in by the chinese. And yet, we have the cheek to claim Malay as our National Language. Just as what Dr Wong pointed out, ‘In the old days, Malay was the communication link between the races in Singapore.’ When we cease to give equal recognition and opportunity to other races and promote only one race (chinese), the other races are forced to be assimilated into the chinese culture (over the past few decades). Do you blame the Malays when they are less fluency in their own language?
‘Without the influx of the foreign talents, singapore is already a different country. Over the past decades, the vibrancy of a diverse, multicultural country has been replaced by a chinese fascist, legalist state. With the elevation of chinese culture over the minorities, speak mandarin campaign, SAP schools for the chinese, celebrations of chinese festivities, HBD quotas to control the races,etc, etc, etc, it is very clear that the chinese has ruled this small island, taking over the Malays who are the rightful owners in this island.’
In the article by Dr Wong Wee Nam, all these talks about how the stature of the Malay language is not going to be the same whether to teach Malay as a foreign language or the use of foreign teaching methods, is not critical. The teaching methods though important, the recognitions and opportunities rendered to the Malays are KEY. This allows the Malays to know that they have equal opportunities as the chinese which is not the case today.
Why would the Malays be motivated to learn the Malay language, when the chinese TV programs are getting all the hypes, the only programs you see on TV in coffee-shops are chinese, when one could hardly see Malay stalls in coffee-shops, just in the selected few, and the important or key job positions in companies are filled in by the chinese. And yet, we have the cheek to claim Malay as our National Language. Just as what Dr Wong pointed out, ‘In the old days, Malay was the communication link between the races in Singapore.’ When we cease to give equal recognition and opportunity to other races and promote only one race (chinese), the other races are forced to be assimilated into the chinese culture (over the past few decades). Do you blame the Malays when they are less fluency in their own language?
Sunday, 17 April 2011
In response to BBC:Gay couple 'removed from Soho pub for kissing'
'A man has told of how he was ordered to leave a central London pub after a staff member objected to him kissing a man he was on a date with.' bbc
Whether someone is homosexual or heterosexual, their rights are as important as yours and that include showing public displays of affection provided that they are not having sex in public. Why should gay people have to be extra alert to people’s sensitivity to engage in behaviour that is acceptable for heterosexuals?
In today’s society, we need to be more acceptance on each other’s sexual orientation. There are still so many people who are living as second class citizens in our society just because they are different in race, religion, etc. It’s still good to see the public had responded to support this couple at Soho pub on the 16th, just two days after the incident. Source bbc
Whether someone is homosexual or heterosexual, their rights are as important as yours and that include showing public displays of affection provided that they are not having sex in public. Why should gay people have to be extra alert to people’s sensitivity to engage in behaviour that is acceptable for heterosexuals?
In today’s society, we need to be more acceptance on each other’s sexual orientation. There are still so many people who are living as second class citizens in our society just because they are different in race, religion, etc. It’s still good to see the public had responded to support this couple at Soho pub on the 16th, just two days after the incident. Source bbc
Friday, 8 April 2011
Another China Milk Scandal
'China 'tainted milk' kills three children. Three children have died in north-west China from suspected poisoning after drinking milk from two local dairies, state media says.
Thirty-five others, mostly children, are being treated at hospitals in Gansu province, officials said'- bbc
Last month, Wei Chao'an, vice minister of agriculture, said 'The milk products made on the Chinese mainland are trustworthy' - GOV.cn
Yet again China's government has failed in a most basic duty - to provide safe food for its people.
Thirty-five others, mostly children, are being treated at hospitals in Gansu province, officials said'- bbc
Last month, Wei Chao'an, vice minister of agriculture, said 'The milk products made on the Chinese mainland are trustworthy' - GOV.cn
Yet again China's government has failed in a most basic duty - to provide safe food for its people.
Sunday, 3 April 2011
My thoughts on Singapore Kindness Movement
The following is an excerpt from a comment that has caught my attention:
John’s comment as posted on according2ed’s site
“....It seems that neither the Courtesy Campaign nor the singapore kindness movement is taking any effects in singapore. The fact that there is a need to put in place a kindness movement to call the people (which consists mostly chinese) to become a more caring and gracious society says a lot about the chinese. You can give the chinese education but you can’t educate the chinese!...” - ''Singaporeans' are rude, arrogant, filthy'
Here’s my response and additional thoughts to that article:
When you have a nation that always has a chinese majority and actively promotes the chinese culture, and elevates the chinese culture over all others, it is no surprising that the government has to introduce the singapore kindness movement to ‘fix’ the issues that it has created. The government, over a few decades, has taught the chinese to identify themselves as the preferred race in singapore, and through the self-absorption, the chinese are concerned only with their own interests.
One alternative solution is the promotion of multiculturalism in singapore. It will contribute to the way a person looks at things, enhance empathy, vibrancy and passion. One should not mistake the present singapore culture for the culture of all singaporeans as this is the culture that is left over after the chinese culture is elevated and promoted over all others. Monoculturalism gives rise to self-absorption and narrow-mindedness. Try to be less ‘chinese’ and more ‘singaporean’ - become the best of all cultures.
John’s comment as posted on according2ed’s site
“....It seems that neither the Courtesy Campaign nor the singapore kindness movement is taking any effects in singapore. The fact that there is a need to put in place a kindness movement to call the people (which consists mostly chinese) to become a more caring and gracious society says a lot about the chinese. You can give the chinese education but you can’t educate the chinese!...” - ''Singaporeans' are rude, arrogant, filthy'
Here’s my response and additional thoughts to that article:
When you have a nation that always has a chinese majority and actively promotes the chinese culture, and elevates the chinese culture over all others, it is no surprising that the government has to introduce the singapore kindness movement to ‘fix’ the issues that it has created. The government, over a few decades, has taught the chinese to identify themselves as the preferred race in singapore, and through the self-absorption, the chinese are concerned only with their own interests.
One alternative solution is the promotion of multiculturalism in singapore. It will contribute to the way a person looks at things, enhance empathy, vibrancy and passion. One should not mistake the present singapore culture for the culture of all singaporeans as this is the culture that is left over after the chinese culture is elevated and promoted over all others. Monoculturalism gives rise to self-absorption and narrow-mindedness. Try to be less ‘chinese’ and more ‘singaporean’ - become the best of all cultures.
Sunday, 20 March 2011
In response to an article by according2ed - Jap earthquake: the emperor, the elite, and the 'charitable'
It’s an undeniable fact that quite a few industries have benefit from disasters. That’s where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Shouldn’t the donations be coming from these industries and the rich since they are profiting from the situation. Why should the working people be charitable? The Japan government should be providing jets to get the people out of the affected areas. Why is the rich the ones who get the first chance to survival? That is the issue when you are in a capitalist world! That is the problem when you have hierarchy in the society! I totally agree with you that ‘creating a truly egalitarian society’ is the solution to the problem.
Have they tried to address the root cause? For instance, Wiki leaks has just revealed that the IAEA had warned the Jap elite more than 2 years ago that “its nuclear power plants were not capable of withstanding powerful earthquakes [telegraph]. Why aren’t the Jap elite be held accountable for this disaster and donate their wealth?
It is an interesting thought that in such disasters, it allows people to practise being kind where such kindness is actually supporting a greater evil. If you think deeper, it is true. The opportunity to donate to a famous disaster is the way people tell themselves they have done enough.
Ending my comment with a great quote from Ed – ‘The Root of all evils find its incubatory refuge in all that is perceived to be good’
Have they tried to address the root cause? For instance, Wiki leaks has just revealed that the IAEA had warned the Jap elite more than 2 years ago that “its nuclear power plants were not capable of withstanding powerful earthquakes [telegraph]. Why aren’t the Jap elite be held accountable for this disaster and donate their wealth?
It is an interesting thought that in such disasters, it allows people to practise being kind where such kindness is actually supporting a greater evil. If you think deeper, it is true. The opportunity to donate to a famous disaster is the way people tell themselves they have done enough.
Ending my comment with a great quote from Ed – ‘The Root of all evils find its incubatory refuge in all that is perceived to be good’
Sunday, 7 November 2010
In response to an article by a2ed “In sum, singapore, the chinese, and the opposition. A personal journey.”
I recall a decade ago when Ed started talking about social political issues that came across as too radical to me as I could not understand his perspectives and thus thought he was too harsh in his comments. Back then I thought he had over-reacted (now I know that’s passion). I like all the other chinese, just turned a deaf ear and ‘switched off’ from the conversations, and all the other so-called chinese ‘friends’ also reacted the same way toward him. Without our realisation, we were forcing him to come down to our level, talked only the mundane issue or discussed politics at very superficial level. Otherwise he will be ‘guilty of’ being long-winded. I didnt realise this until i came to the UK a few years ago and observe that most of the Brits I have spoken to, approach conversation/topic the same way as he does. They can have dialogues on any topic with some depth in their analysis and very engaging in conversations. I can have conversation with them and not get any childish/immature responses. Really a stark difference in reaction between the Brits and the Chinese. With this exposure and on trips back to Asia, interacting with the chinese makes me realise how difficult and stifling it has been for Ed living among the chinese.
My association with him has made me become more self-aware. I have developed further by how he treats me.He is a true friend, as he never fails to give critique when it’s due. True friend does not only say the good things, s/he also needs to critique in order for you to improve and grow and likewise do the same toward him/her. I have also observed over the years that among his/our friends, the Indians and Filipinos are more receptive to new ideas as opposed to the chinese. During conversations, i noticed that when he started to analyse and discuss significant issues, the chinese will shrug off his ideas and comments with responses like ‘it’s like that, lah’, ‘they are they, we are we, go live in the UK’,’ why you so long-winded’,..etc. While with the Indians and Filipinos, they may disagree with his ideas at first but when he goes more in-depth and analyse further, I can see they start to engage further and ask questions, not necessary agreeing all the time but definitely more open to ideas and willing to think further.
Ed is very spot-on in his observation - “...the initial phase of a relationship with a chinese is very crucial. If one does not push for adaption or integration on their part, they become adept at ignoring those aspects of your persona that is different from them. Unfortunately, 9 out of 10 times, to push for adaptation would see them distancing from you from the outset. So it was a catch 22 situation.” I have been through the cycle with him and truly would have moved away from him had it not been for his persistence and perseverance. I would have remain a lesser person.
On hindsight, when I ignored his perspectives, it truly wasn’t done willfully or purposely, it was reflexive to turn a deaf ear or get space out when the topic is not within my interests or requires further thoughts. I grew up with my mother always telling me ‘don’t ask questions’, ‘ just do as you are told’, ‘just follow the orders of the elders’,..(all the wrong values that all parents should not impart to their children). My perspectives and views have started to change since I got to know him.
Thank you, Ed for being a true mate :)
My association with him has made me become more self-aware. I have developed further by how he treats me.He is a true friend, as he never fails to give critique when it’s due. True friend does not only say the good things, s/he also needs to critique in order for you to improve and grow and likewise do the same toward him/her. I have also observed over the years that among his/our friends, the Indians and Filipinos are more receptive to new ideas as opposed to the chinese. During conversations, i noticed that when he started to analyse and discuss significant issues, the chinese will shrug off his ideas and comments with responses like ‘it’s like that, lah’, ‘they are they, we are we, go live in the UK’,’ why you so long-winded’,..etc. While with the Indians and Filipinos, they may disagree with his ideas at first but when he goes more in-depth and analyse further, I can see they start to engage further and ask questions, not necessary agreeing all the time but definitely more open to ideas and willing to think further.
Ed is very spot-on in his observation - “...the initial phase of a relationship with a chinese is very crucial. If one does not push for adaption or integration on their part, they become adept at ignoring those aspects of your persona that is different from them. Unfortunately, 9 out of 10 times, to push for adaptation would see them distancing from you from the outset. So it was a catch 22 situation.” I have been through the cycle with him and truly would have moved away from him had it not been for his persistence and perseverance. I would have remain a lesser person.
On hindsight, when I ignored his perspectives, it truly wasn’t done willfully or purposely, it was reflexive to turn a deaf ear or get space out when the topic is not within my interests or requires further thoughts. I grew up with my mother always telling me ‘don’t ask questions’, ‘ just do as you are told’, ‘just follow the orders of the elders’,..(all the wrong values that all parents should not impart to their children). My perspectives and views have started to change since I got to know him.
Thank you, Ed for being a true mate :)
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