This is in reference to articles, specifically this (Do read it, if you haven’t done so) but I will also try to use others too. Those are written about the recent riots in Singapore. Where many people have illustrated that foreigners in Singapore should are not the same as Singaporeans themselves. I will highlight the key fallacies in arguments proposed by individuals. Such as “Ok so at a very technical/ genetic level, they are humans. But I am not talking technically here. My point is they are not the ‘same kind’ of humans we are” (SG Bangla, 2013). First of all, nobody – whether Singaporean or not – is the “same kind” each individual is unique in their specific way. Second, having different cultures and backgrounds can only benefit a society rather than hinder it, coming from an International school background and being exposed to different individuals really enlightens an individual about differences and makes one appreciate that. Furthermore, with an experience in National Service – with some “banglas” and “Indians” only enriched my experience because I was exposed to their style of thinking and could then make better informed judgments on my part. It is derogatory to separate individuals based on work or as a country as a matter of fact. One thing is for certain though; we should strive to enhance our own lives whilst understanding different cultures.
I do not want to begin a philosophical debate about what makes a human, human. Philosophers have been doing it for centuries. This is because they have seen individuals as beings and not as individuals. This is something that is lacking in a lot of mindsets in Singapore about these riots. We forget to realize how oppressed these individuals are in a country like this and this is shameful on our part. I read a Channel News Asia article: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/s-pore-open-to-housing/631856.html. It is abysmal to see that a country, which is so highly respected and has a good reputation, can actually seriously consider doing something like this to individuals. Where has the humanity in Singaporeans gone? A passport is not something that differentiates me from you; or you from someone else.
In the original article from SG Bangla, it is stated that India is one of the most corrupt countries. Firstly, out of the 177 countries, how many of them live in Singapore? Would you suggest removing all of these individuals from Society? I am a Singaporean but I also have influences from a Pakistani background, and Pakistan ranks 127 on the “corruption” list. Does this mean Pakistani’s should be “dealt” with as well?
It seems ridiculous to come to a conclusion like that just because they have expressed their own feelings. I am not saying that what they did was justified but this is pent up anger due to oppression and it just came out through violence (which could have been a lot worse). Singaporeans should appreciate that if they were put into a similar situation living outside of Singapore, they would clearly be unhappy as well. If you had to work extremely hard, in poor conditions and in poor hostiles – just to be able to get by in the day and then to send money home for their families as well. Maybe individuals who have a lack of knowledge about other places apart from Singapore could suggest that these individuals are different but that is a fault in Singaporeans rather than foreigners. We should strive to appreciate and accept everyone around us because without these individuals – a) the work that they provide is usually not desired by individuals so the work would be handed down to others and b) we would be removing any form of cultural diversity within Singapore. This is not utopia, in no sense is Singapore the perfect nation, but we should really aim to achieve this and the one way to do this is through education of different cultures and that only happens with exposure. If you truly want to understand what happened in the riots, instead of sitting behind a computer screen and saying to stop humanizing “Indians” and “the Banglas”. Educate yourself - ask them what really happened. Like I mentioned earlier, I am not saying what they did is justified but neither is saying stop humanizing them. While reading that article, I had felt disgusting to be even considered Singaporean because I do not feel that as an individual I am different from anyone else. It is a matter of how much knowledge you have and how you use that knowledge to perceive the world. If Singaporeans truly perceived that Singaporeans are the only way forward. Then why let any other nationality enter Singapore in the first place? The answer is because we NEED it – even if its tourism or work or service – we need different individuals with different specialties.
In terms of the “treatment of Women” section, I do not think it is relevant for this topic, so I’m not going to touch upon that. But I would like to add that Rape would happen anywhere, I have knowledge of people who have experienced Rape and nobody was “Indian” or “Bangla” in that case. It is not the individual’s fault if the legal system in their country is not suitable – actually there is not really a country, which has a fair legal system.
I would like to pose a question to individuals who oppose my views. For your manual labour work, seeing as these individuals have the “inability to do anything properly” who would set these tasks to? Or would you rather go backwards in time and build your own roof over your head? Personally I wouldn’t mind the latter but majority of the people may not agree. SO I ask, if people truly believe they have the inability to do something properly. Why have they have been given the responsibility for years? The article really infuriates me because it just shows a lack of knowledge and lack of acceptance and tolerance for other individuals. Every human is a human BEING. You are not born Singaporean; you are given that in a metaphysical sense. You are simply born HUMAN. So why are we drifting so far away from humanity towards a world, which is full of, hate? Who benefits from this style of thinking?
As a human race, I feel that we lack the value of human life. The article seems to suggest that Singapore does a lot for its poor individuals, but there are very poor people everywhere and very rich people everywhere – in every country. Just because the standard of living does not meet yours, does not mean they are unable to value human life. Even in Brazil, there was a protest where individuals gathered to go against building the FIFA world cup stadiums but using that money to help the people in need. This is the link which explicitly says that every nation has problems: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1882177-why-2014-world-cup-in-brazil-should-hold-no-safety-fears-despite-crowd-violence
If each individual really wants to make a difference to Singapore, go out and meet people from different cultures and backgrounds, enrich your own experience as well as theirs but furthermore, educate yourself and educate them and treat them as individuals because at the end of the day they are individuals.
In the SG Bangla, it seems like there are a few contradictions, it states that: “A common (and tiring) retort is that these acts happen in every country. This is bullshit” but later says: “They apply to every other (relatively) third world state.” Just because Singapore has emerged successfully around the world does not mean we are superior to other countries.
We are one Earth and one world. Stop looking inside you and helping yourself but look outside and help others. Education is key and knowledge is power. John Maynard Keynes once said, “in the long run, we are all dead”. This is true. So lets make the most of it. Stay happy and stay Human.
MYY
TRS Contributor