Will you give racists a second chance?
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I doubt I would. And I believe I had to try real hard.
How would you feel if you were discriminated against?
Report from Today
Dharmendra Yadav
Chua Cheng Zhan is a name that the people of Singapore, especially its ethnic minorities, will remember for a while to come.
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He is a scholar of Singapore's prestigious public service, whose views have given a new lease of life to the spectre of racial insensitivity.
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Mr Cheng Zhan, a 21-year-old mathematics student at Northwestern University in the United States, wrote recently in his online diary: "somehow, the singaporean association here in my school has become an Indian association. So gross. some more non-singaporean."
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He continued: "ya. I discovered I'm so racist. at the club (under lighting in which everyone is supposed to look good), i still find indians and filipinos (dark ones) so repulsive n such a turn-off."
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His derogatory remarks, and more, are now freely available on the Internet.
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Something similar happened when Choo Wee Khiang, a member of Singapore's Parliament from the dominant party, took advantage of the privilege accorded to him by the House to make disparaging remarks about the same group of ethnic minorities.
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He told his fellow legislators in 1992: "One evening, I drove to Little India and it was pitch dark but not because there was no light, but because there were too many Indians around."
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why not ? he's sorry for wat he did. everybody makes mistakes if they are willing to change why not ?
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I'd only accepted it if he had said sorry the first time without being pressured by peers and parents. Obviously he had to say sorry because he was being pressured!
For me, this scholar isn't ashamed or apologetic over the incident. Sorry but I'd not give him any 2nd chances. If I was in charge, I'd sack him without fail, without any fliching. Who the fcuk cares if he's a PSC scholar?
The more he's a PSC scholar means he shd be setting an example for the kids- and not be an idiotic a$$hole. So no, no 2nd chances. Out means ur out. Adios. -
Sorry is free. I can say sorry many many times, and yet (kou1 shi4 xin1 fei1), you may say yes but your heart tell you no.Originally posted by crazy monkey:why not ? he's sorry for wat he did. everybody makes mistakes if they are willing to change why not ?
Why would one bloc? To liberate one real feelings and one real thoughts. If one can hide one's identity one would probably tell something his heart tell him so.
If one need to identify one identity (say IC No), one would hesitate to tell the real truth.
I doubt we have no better candidates. Remembering ASTAR is paying $1million per scholar.
And worse his sorry was only after his identity was revealed. And he had first make attempt to secure his bloc rather to apologise or remove his bloc. -
i am not a saint like u so i am more forgivingOriginally posted by iamgoondu:Sorry is free. I can say sorry many many times, and yet (kou1 shi4 xin1 fei1), you may say yes but your heart tell you no.
Why would one bloc? To liberate one real feelings and one real thoughts. If one can hide one's identity one would probably tell something his heart tell him so.
If one need to identify one identity (say IC No), one would hesitate to tell the real truth.
I doubt we have no better candidates. Remembering ASTAR is paying $1million per scholar. -
a lot of people are angry because he is a PSC scholar. if someone in the streets was to say it i dont think people will react as such.
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If I were a saint, I shall be more forgiving instead. Unfortunately I am not a saint either.Originally posted by crazy monkey:i am not a saint like u so i am more forgiving -
Yes, a scholar must know what is li1(courteous, humble) yi1(justice) lian1(incorrupt) chi3(disgrace, humility), how can he serve justice if he is a racist?Originally posted by dragg:a lot of people are angry because he is a PSC scholar. if someone in the streets was to say it i dont think people will react as such. -
i think its more of stupidity then racism in his behaviourOriginally posted by iamgoondu:Yes, a scholar must know what is li1(courteous, humble) yi1(justice) lian1(incorrupt) chi3(disgrace, humility), how can he serve justice if he is a racist? -
His racist remarks in his blog reflects a subconscious state of mind. Racism will exist in one way or another but the majority of people do not openly express their racist views. Chua expressed his racist views on his blog under the cloak of secrecy only to be exposed. If he was any other ordinary student, his remarks would not have made it to the Straits Times. However, being a PSC scholar, receiving an overseas university education on public funds, including taxpayers money from people of the race whom he maligned, his actions have serious implications. PSC overseas scholars are given important portfolios upon their return to Singapore in the elite administrative service. Would the government want an administrative officer, who has expressed racist views, to formulate policies that will affect everyone in Singapore? Remember the former MP Choo Wee Khiang? He said that one evening, he was driving along Serangoon Road. It was pitch black, not because of inadequate lighting, but because the place was full of Indians. Jayakumar's face changed and immediately stood up to protest Choo's racist slur and forced him to retract his statement.
There is zero tolerance for racism in government service. PSC has issued him with a stern written warning. Upon his return to Singapore, PSC may relegate him to some unimportant departmental service - not the elite administrative service. He will be left there to rot away. -
I believe they have to give the other races second chances than us giving him/her 2nd chances..Originally posted by iamgoondu:I doubt I would. And I believe I had to try real hard.
How would you feel if you were discriminated against? -
Why must Jayakumar stand up?Originally posted by Mozart:His racist remarks in his blog reflects a subconscious state of mind. Racism will exist in one way or another but the majority of people do not openly express their racist views. Chua expressed his racist views on his blog under the cloak of secrecy only to be exposed. If he was any other ordinary student, his remarks would not have made it to the Straits Times. However, being a PSC scholar, receiving an overseas university education on public funds, including taxpayers money from people of the race whom he maligned, his actions have serious implications. PSC overseas scholars are given important portfolios upon their return to Singapore in the elite administrative service. Would the government want an administrative officer, who has expressed racist views, to formulate policies that will affect everyone in Singapore? Remember the former MP Choo Wee Khiang? He said that one evening, he was driving along Serangoon Road. It was pitch black, not because of inadequate lighting, but because the place was full of Indians. Jayakumar's face changed and immediately stood up to protest Choo's racist slur and forced him to retract his statement.
There is zero tolerance for racism in government service. PSC has issued him with a stern written warning. Upon his return to Singapore, PSC may relegate him to some unimportant departmental service - not the elite administrative service. He will be left there to rot away.
Why can't the ethnic chinese say something about it? -
Because his constituents (Choo was a Jln Besar GRC MP) have had enough of Banglas making trouble in their ward.Originally posted by SMAPLionHeart:Why must Jayakumar stand up?
Why can't the ethnic chinese say something about it?
Anyway, there was not outcry for him to step down. His actual downfall came only in 1999 after he was convicted of helping his brother-in-law, an undischarged bankrupt, to fradulently obtain a bank loan. -
That doesn't sound like zero tolerance! Is a written warning all he is going to get? I'm sure there are many others out there who are equally capable AND who are not known to be racists. Further, if he is going to be relegated to pushing pens, then why are we spending so much money on him!Originally posted by Mozart:.
There is zero tolerance for racism in government service. PSC has issued him with a stern written warning. Upon his return to Singapore, PSC may relegate him to some unimportant departmental service - not the elite administrative service. He will be left there to rot away.
I say revoke his scholarship and give it to someone else. I dun want him in the Civil Service. -
he is a PSC scholar and should know better. it really beats me why he did it in the first place!!
unbelievable!! -
Scholars in Singapore are selected based mainly on merit in academic achievements. It is difficult to judge a candidate's character just by a few interviews and a couple of standard-format testimonials.
The PSC scholar selection system may not be without flaws, but it has certainly helped pick out some ministers currently in the Parliament. -
background clean, good cca records, got results then can liao...other things can fake out one.
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Even if you don't forgive him, theres nothing much you can do to change his mind. Racist people seldom change their minds about the other races, what makes you think that punishing him will make him change?
For all you know, he may perservere in his racist thinkings after the punishment...
All of us are racist to a certain extent... even minor things like slight dislike for another race's customs and rituals can be branded as racist since racist covers that aspect as well...
The key point here is how much we show it and how much tolerance we are expected to exercise despite our dislikes and misunderstandings -
Yes I agree and think his scholarship should be revoked.Originally posted by Mozart:However, being a PSC scholar, receiving an overseas university education on public funds, including taxpayers money from people of the race whom he maligned, his actions have serious implications. PSC overseas scholars are given important portfolios upon their return to Singapore in the elite administrative service. Would the government want an administrative officer, who has expressed racist views, to formulate policies that will affect everyone in Singapore?
But why was he given the scholarsip in the 1st place? He is from a wealthy family. Shouldn't scholarship be given only to brillant needy students? -
bursary and scholarship differentOriginally posted by pearlie27:Yes I agree and think his scholarship should be revoked.
But why was he given the scholarsip in the 1st place? He is from a wealthy family. Shouldn't scholarship be given only to brillant needy students? -
I really hope people will stop saying, "Everybody is more or less a racist." Thats a very gross postulation. I feel theres safety in numbers and thats why some tend to generalize of that. Or am i so wrong that indeed the majority of Singaporeans are racists? As far as I know, you're only a racist when offensive thoughts come to mind. At most, idiocrasies of certain races are just tolerated with but not viewed with scornful contempt. Or are they? Have you crossed that line?
even minor things like slight dislike for another race's customs and rituals can be branded as racist since racist covers that aspect as well...
This is like having a close friend who has a habit of shaking his leg which you're annoyed at. But do you hate the friend? No, you just can't accept his action. So, it doesnt mean to be racist right?The key point here is how much we show it and how much tolerance we are expected to exercise despite our dislikes and misunderstandings
*Nods..* -
For those of you who say no, let me ask you how would you feel yourself if you are not forgiven and people keep bearing the same old grudge against you?
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Would you forgive someone easily who talk bad behind your back?Originally posted by chronicles:For those of you who say no, let me ask you how would you feel yourself if you are not forgiven and people keep bearing the same old grudge against you? -
you cannot other ppl canOriginally posted by iamgoondu:Would you forgive someone easily who talk bad behind your back? -
Well... i forgive him, but i still do not want him in the Civil service. If we allow this, then where do we draw the line? Remember Hitler? The only way to approach this issue is zero-tolerance. No Buts, No sorry, No Please forgive mes.Originally posted by chronicles:For those of you who say no, let me ask you how would you feel yourself if you are not forgiven and people keep bearing the same old grudge against you?