New bid to foster racial harmony
-
From next year, youths of different races will have more opportunities to live in one anotherÂ’s homes in a bid to promote cultural exchange and better understanding of other races.
Speaking at the the HarmonyWorks! Conference held yesterday at the ITE College East, Mr Zainudin, chairman of the Central Singapore Joint Social Service Centre, told students that the centre will organize a series of activities to strengthen cooperation and understanding between youths of various races. This will be done in association with self-help groups and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports beginning next year.
(Translated from Lianhe Zaobao, 26 Nov; http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp061126_504.html)
This is a step in the right direction. Increasing interaction between children and young people of different races will help improve social cohesion at a time when races have been pulled apart by religious and cultural differences in western nations. -
It's all fine and dandy that the chairman of the CSJSSC is eager to organize functions to 'foster' stronger ties between various races.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:From next year, youths of different races will have more opportunities to live in one anotherÂ’s homes in a bid to promote cultural exchange and better understanding of other races.
Speaking at the the HarmonyWorks! Conference held yesterday at the ITE College East, Mr Zainudin, chairman of the Central Singapore Joint Social Service Centre, told students that the centre will organize a series of activities to strengthen cooperation and understanding between youths of various races. This will be done in association with self-help groups and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports beginning next year.
(Translated from Lianhe Zaobao, 26 Nov; http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp061126_504.html)
This is a step in the right direction. Increasing interaction between children and young people of different races will help improve social cohesion at a time when races have been pulled apart by religious and cultural differences in western nations.
But as with govt functions, they all have one fatal flaw: the reliance on participation or 'forced participation'.
Such events fail despite publicity to the contrary because the event does not reach the right people. Events such as these should be practiced in Schools right from the onset to inculcate the right values in our young. The second area where mindset needs to change is the home, where bigoted parents continue to sway the mindset of their children despite the teachings at schools.
To some extent, this 'brainwashing' practice is akin to the preachings of pastors and clerics and the misinformed can be easily influenced, especially in conservative societies like SG. -
wa man right on the spotOriginally posted by BillyBong:It's all fine and dandy that the chairman of the CSJSSC is eager to organize functions to 'foster' stronger ties between various races.
But as with govt functions, they all have one fatal flaw: the reliance on participation or 'forced participation'.
Such events fail despite publicity to the contrary because the event does not reach the right people. Events such as these should be practiced in Schools right from the onset to inculcate the right values in our young. The second area where mindset needs to change is the home, where bigoted parents continue to sway the mindset of their children despite the teachings at schools.
To some extent, this 'brainwashing' practice is akin to the preachings of pastors and clerics and the misinformed can be easily influenced, especially in conservative societies like SG.
-
Hey, I thought we had this progamme implemented like 30+ years ago under the name of "National Service" ?
-
waste time and waste money
-
The idea is good and noble, but the implementation, we'll have to wait and see... let's hope it doesn't get cursed with the same moniker as coerced volunteerism.
-
Is this not one more government inspired distraction to occupy the Singaporean agenda, and draw attention away from the glaring events that are of larger national concern - such as the loss of S$3 BILLION in PUBLIC FUNDS in the wasted Shin Corp debacle; as well as the 2% GST increases that come on top of a string of price increases on all essential utilities and public services and fuel costs ?
Another round of nationalistic " inspirational " push at national cohesion, in the face of the additional burdens created by the Government.
Should we do them a favor in general public obedience ?
FORTY FIVE Years of such National Education - and yet the current generation has lost direction, and need to be revitalize to this national concept of racial harmony ?
How did this atmosphere of racial disharmony set in despite the supposed watchful eyes from the Government sacntioned grass-root organisations ?
If we review the National Day Address from the various Prime Ministers that Singapore had over the last forty five years, the address towards a certain minority section of our Singapore Community, had always sounded condescending - lecturing at the progress or degression of their community in relation to the other Singaporean communities.
The dividing lines of the ethnic groups have been exacerbated unwittingly by the government sanctioned " mother-tongue " campaigns - not in dialects but in the promotion of the languages, as in Chinese with Mandarin, Indians with Tamil, and Malay with the Bahasa Melayu.
With the Chinese forming the majority, the emphasis for the Chinese to relearn the supposed "mother-tongue MANDARIN" can only create an atmosphere of insecurity to the other minority races - which had resulted in the Government having to make repeated reassuring statements, and create new programs to enhance the teaching of the other minority mother-tongues.
The spill over effect of the Mother-Tongue programs was the heightened conciousness in differences, and awakeing to the usefullness and disadvantages of the minority mother-tongues in a setting where the a single ethnic group is the majority in all sphere of economy.
This has emboldened some businesses to make clear their preferences for certain preferred ethnic language in the employment advertisements, which largely cut out the opportunities opened to the minority communities.
What other choices are there left for the minority races except to be more assertive in their political pressence through adopting of "ambiguous religious dictates" - such as the tudong, which basically is accepting an unknown practice as a desired precept, and making a political statement for the community ?
If after forty-five years, we still cannot incalcate into the newer generations this racial harmony concept, it will mean that the previous generations have not accepted those earlier programs to help pass it on within the home environment.
Should a failed program continue ? -
It is going to be applied to students and it's going to be voluntary from what I understand. But if forced participation is what's necessary to ensure racial harmony and understanding, I am for it.
At least the government is doing something proactive about this issue, unlike other political parties. It is not surprising that during the last election it was the votes from the minority races in marginal constituencies that tipped the balance in favour of the ruling party. -
Forced participation will only backfire and do more harm than good.
'A' does not like malay food. He gets sent to a malay family for 3 days. They cook for him but he goes out and eat macdonald's.
Nothing good will come out from it if this is the way it's going to be implemented. -
Originally posted by miserable:Hey, I thought we had this progamme implemented like 30+ years ago under the name of "National Service" ?
-
'B' is a muslim and he gets sent to a chinese family owing Kway Chup business. will he survived?Originally posted by Sagara:Forced participation will only backfire and do more harm than good.
'A' does not like malay food. He gets sent to a malay family for 3 days. They cook for him but he goes out and eat macdonald's.
Nothing good will come out from it if this is the way it's going to be implemented.
-
In this regard, you're shooting the forest and missing all the trees.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:It is going to be applied to students and it's going to be voluntary from what I understand. But if forced participation is what's necessary to ensure racial harmony and understanding, I am for it.
At least the government is doing something proactive about this issue, unlike other political parties. It is not surprising that during the last election it was the votes from the minority races in marginal constituencies that tipped the balance in favour of the ruling party.
How can any other 'political party' besides the govt set policy? With an overwhelming (and somewhat embarrassing) majority in parliament and the fact that they staff all positions in govt, how can anyone BUT the govt drive such directives across?
Can the WP and SDA combined even have any hope of driving important issues? Any attempt will draw sarcastic flak from the MIW as trying to gain 'political mileage' rather than for the good of the people as witnessed in recent potshots in parliament; exactly what we have come to expect from a politically insecure ruling party.
Till this date, they have quietly skirted the issues of whose monies are being used for joint upgrading programme and completely avoided the failed issue of means testing, a subject raised by the WP during the recent elections.
And if our govt still cannot drive home the importance of racial acceptance against tolerance and requires the use of 'forced participation', can we still deny ourselves from being labelled the totalitarian state run by ONE man's warped vision for democracy?
Can one be forced to live in another person's house simply to 'wayang' the figures to show that such a policy was 'successful' in its implementation? Do we intend to degrade from a society of substance into a stage pre-set with all the smoke and dagger complete with props to boot for a 'world-class' encore? -
Enforced particpation removes the propensity to voluntary seek out cross-cultural understanding.It only seeks to harden people against the very same aim, indirectly. This is classical behaviour. It's not hard to miss.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:It is going to be applied to students and it's going to be voluntary from what I understand. But if forced participation is what's necessary to ensure racial harmony and understanding, I am for it.
At least the government is doing something proactive about this issue, unlike other political parties. It is not surprising that during the last election it was the votes from the minority races in marginal constituencies that tipped the balance in favour of the ruling party.
Punitive measures to compel people to perform an act, is just a lazy excuse for failure to create an atmosphere that allows people to internalise their want to reach out and integrate. Atmosphere is influenced by pre-existing policy.
This is where we must tread carefully. Being the government does not mean you wield the heavy hand. The authority must be subordinate to the will of the people, ultimately.
Like I've said, if it's voluntary and good examples come out of this program, I'm all in support for it. In fact, I'm very supportive of community based projects which are citizen startups, this is because they would know the nuances and population/social dynamics of their own local precinct much better than a central planner.
However, your suggestion of forced participation is extremist and is quite unwarranted.
W.R.T to your last point, it's always been the case thus far, not just in the recent elections. Although, I must say that the current immigration policy might have some impact on their voting in the next elections, if not managed well. -
Is there no other creative alternative to an otherwise supposedly educated PhD mind ?Originally posted by oxford mushroom:It is going to be applied to students and it's going to be voluntary from what I understand. But if forced participation is what's necessary to ensure racial harmony and understanding, I am for it.
At least the government is doing something proactive about this issue, unlike other political parties. It is not surprising that during the last election it was the votes from the minority races in marginal constituencies that tipped the balance in favour of the ruling party.
What ever happened to thinking out-of-the-box, or has years of chasing the letters caused one to be disassociated with the Real World ?
How much more cynical should we be for your kind - and your autocratic idols - to depend on force when in the face of desparation ?
FORTY-FIVE years of constant drilling - of the values of racial harmony - has brought us nowhere, are we "driving in the right lane", or has there been changes to the "traffic rules" that contradicted the "basic traffic laws" ?
From the "brilliance" in your PhD thought process, can we believe your speculation that "during the last election it was the votes from the minority races in marginal constituencies that tipped the balance in favour of the ruling party" ?
Are you referring to the Malaysian politics, when the internal dissension had split UMNO, putting the prospects of the Barisan Nasional in the hands of the component partners represented by MCA and MIC ?
If the balance had tipped in favor of the ruling party in marginal constituencies, how will you explain a politically 'safe' constituency headed by PM LHL seen a result of 33.3% of counted votes in favor of UNKNOWN NEWBIEs from the WP, when PM LHL had expected to win an overwhelming majority of at least 80% ?
Is there such a "marginal constituency" in Singapore ?
If the minorities had voted in favor of the ruling party, all the newbies introduced by the various Alternative Parties would have been wiped out in Election 2006.
Surprisingly, the NEWBIES won credible percentages in ALL CONTESTED CONSTITUENCIES.
PM LHL would have consolidated his position by showing a SIMILARLYstrong election results as that achieved in the last election under the leadership of GCT. -
Hear hear! From the defeated soldier in the battlefield, " They only managed to shoot off one of my legs.."
Read the post-election analysis: had it not been for the support of the Malays in particular in some marginal seats, the results could have gone the other way. The Opposition parties have not managed to win the confidence of minority races.
But your usual rants detract from the point of this thread. The government's initiative to foster racial harmony by encouraging greater interaction among our young is definitely a step in the right direction.
People like you will always oppose everything the government does. but that's just why Singaporeans cannot afford to have more Opposition party members in Parliament. If Opposition Party MPs behave like you and object to everything even if it is for the good of the nation, it will distract legislators from doing the real job of governing the nation. -
Is the government doing a good job governing? As for the greying population, the government is asking for foreign talents to become Singaporeans. The old "Stop at 2" policy is not reversed and has worsen the growth of Singapore on the whole. Sooner or later, it's going to become the "Hotel Singapore" scenario. Racial harmony is just a plain stopgap before anarchy breaks loose.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:Hear hear! From the defeated soldier in the battlefield, " They only managed to shoot off one of my legs.."
Read the post-election analysis: had it not been for the support of the Malays in particular in some marginal seats, the results could have gone the other way. The Opposition parties have not managed to win the confidence of minority races.
But your usual rants detract from the point of this thread. The government's initiative to foster racial harmony by encouraging greater interaction among our young is definitely a step in the right direction.
People like you will always oppose everything the government does. but that's just why Singaporeans cannot afford to have more Opposition party members in Parliament. If Opposition Party MPs behave like you and object to everything even if it is for the good of the nation, it will distract legislators from doing the real job of governing the nation. -
That's why I said, "..if forced participation is what's necessary to ensure racial harmony and understanding, I am for it."Originally posted by LazerLordz:Enforced particpation removes the propensity to voluntary seek out cross-cultural understanding.It only seeks to harden people against the very same aim, indirectly. This is classical behaviour. It's not hard to miss.
The program is a voluntary one and it works best without compulsion. However, for students have committed racist crimes or made racist remarks like the blogger who was convicted some time ago, it would not be amiss that part of the punishment is to force them to work in a Muslim voluntary organisation, which was what happened.
I am a pragmatist. As long as it works, do it! I don't think enforced participation for all will do the job, but if that is what's necessary for some, then enforce it for that group. -
Originally posted by oxford mushroom:
I got along with Malay and Tamil classmates pretty well when I was studying in Singapore. Got invited to hari raya celebration, Deepavali celebrations or even weddings. I stayed over at their places as well . Some of them lifelong friends now. They pick up chinese from me and I pick up their slangs in their language when we were young. And all without a campaign like this. We all know the importance of social integration since history teaches us about the days of riots.
That's why I said, "..[b]if forced participation is what's necessary to ensure racial harmony and understanding, I am for it."
The program is a voluntary one and it works best without compulsion. However, for students have committed racist crimes or made racist remarks like the blogger who was convicted some time ago, it would not be amiss that part of the punishment is to force them to work in a Muslim voluntary organisation, which was what happened.
I am a pragmatist. As long as it works, do it! I don't think enforced participation for all will do the job, but if that is what's necessary for some, then enforce it for that group.[/b]
I noticed that some people have the tendency to make fun of other races regardless. This is because of their upbringing - parents passing on racist values to them instead of common courtesy to respect others different. If any kid makes a racist remark , maybe it is time to look at the parents as well .
And look at your so-called foreign talents that the government invited in as well i.e. PRCs, indians from india. In Australia, I met alot of them - they just don't integrate well with the general population in terms of culture acceptance . Tell them that they did something wrong with a good reason why and you get labelled by their group a racist or something else. This is my example from Australia. They NEED integration themselves because they will be the cause of tensions if they fail to integrate. Whites- we no need to say lah - some locals still have colonial mindsets that white is always right .....even up in the echelons of power - they integrate on their terms.
I see no use in doing stupid campaigns like that . It sounds like more of a novelty item and has a tendency to put people on the guard if enforced - hence increasing tension.
The last time I heard someone say as " long as it works , do it" ..... stagnation was his downfall. We need someone to say " let's look at another angle on how to further improve harmony " . -
Why are we even putting which ethnic group supports what?Originally posted by oxford mushroom:Hear hear! From the defeated soldier in the battlefield, " They only managed to shoot off one of my legs.."
Read the post-election analysis: had it not been for the support of the Malays in particular in some marginal seats, the results could have gone the other way. The Opposition parties have not managed to win the confidence of minority races.
But your usual rants detract from the point of this thread. The government's initiative to foster racial harmony by encouraging greater interaction among our young is definitely a step in the right direction.
People like you will always oppose everything the government does. but that's just why Singaporeans cannot afford to have more Opposition party members in Parliament. If Opposition Party MPs behave like you and object to everything even if it is for the good of the nation, it will distract legislators from doing the real job of governing the nation.
66.6% - strong what?
If the government has to use this tactic to initiate fostering racial harmony , then it is akin to sweeping dirt under the carpet and pretending the floor is all clean because surely does it not tell you that Singaporeans are not integrating properly to the point that the young have to stay at each other's house to "foster harmony"?
Opposition parties are never strong because there never have been much political freedom . Although the old guards of PAP formed the foundation of modern Singapore , it does not mean that the new guards are good. I recall an old cantonese saying : First generation builds, Second generation maintains, Third generation wastes. Which generation of government are we in now ,O LEARNEd one? -
It's hard not to miss your last point. The third generation usually, in a classical sense, has to go for an IPO before it goes under.Originally posted by fymk:Why are we even putting which ethnic group supports what?
66.6% - strong what?
If the government has to use this tactic to initiate fostering racial harmony , then it is akin to sweeping dirt under the carpet and pretending the floor is all clean because surely does it not tell you that Singaporeans are not integrating properly to the point that the young have to stay at each other's house to "foster harmony"?
Opposition parties are never strong because there never have been much political freedom . Although the old guards of PAP formed the foundation of modern Singapore , it does not mean that the new guards are good. I recall an old cantonese saying : First generation builds, Second generation maintains, Third generation wastes. Which generation of government are we in now ,O LEARNEd one?
-
Uh. A 45-year-old initiative that has so far failed?Originally posted by oxford mushroom:The government's initiative to foster racial harmony by encouraging greater interaction among our young is definitely a step in the right direction.
They're the experts, aren't they? One would think an expert would've thought, "Oh maybe things aren't being done the right way, time for a change of tactics" by now.
Are you suggesting that opposition politicians and supporters do not want the best for Singapore as well just because we don't always agree with everything the government says or does?Originally posted by oxford mushroom:People like you will always oppose everything the government does. but that's just why Singaporeans cannot afford to have more Opposition party members in Parliament. If Opposition Party MPs behave like you and object to everything even if it is for the good of the nation, it will distract legislators from doing the real job of governing the nation.
And are you suggesting that these voices should be suppressed at all cost?
"For the good of the Nation" - So we should let ONE be the Judge, the Jury and the Executioner ... despite history having proven such an imbalance of power to be disastrous?
Oh wait - we have no jury! That's a problem isn't it? The government has slammed Singaporeans for not being involved enough, but on the other hand, they're withholding the means to involved from us. Hmmm, I wonder why. And for whose good?
Education is meant to expand one's horizons. So what happened to you? -
Based on the figures at elections and the post-election analysis, the only seat that could have gone 'either way' was in Aljunied GRC with the closest winning margin by the ruling party.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:Hear hear! From the defeated soldier in the battlefield, " They only managed to shoot off one of my legs.."
Read the post-election analysis: had it not been for the support of the Malays in particular in some marginal seats, the results could have gone the other way. The Opposition parties have not managed to win the confidence of minority races.
But your usual rants detract from the point of this thread. The government's initiative to foster racial harmony by encouraging greater interaction among our young is definitely a step in the right direction.
People like you will always oppose everything the government does. but that's just why Singaporeans cannot afford to have more Opposition party members in Parliament. If Opposition Party MPs behave like you and object to everything even if it is for the good of the nation, it will distract legislators from doing the real job of governing the nation.
How does this prove that the alternatives have not won the confidence of the minority races? It can likewise be argued that the Ruling party has similarly failed to restore the confidence of Goh's era, given the surprising support to alternatives in contested wards which they were EXPECTED to win by OVERWHELMING margins.
Yet for all of Atobe's 'rants', you have so far failed to address a single one of them with astute substance, prefering to go into rhetorical vibes and motherhood statements. Are you not simply skirting the issue and sidestepping the questions in the exact same manner as members of the MIW?
PM Lee and Irene Ng both claimed that they could do a better a job if no alternatives are there to 'distract' them or 'cause problems'. If in objecting to certain policies in parliament implies to MIW (and you) that the alternatives 'oppose' for the sake of opposing, then how could they have gotten such a credible election result? For people to give them their vote, they must be saying and doing something right. -
Er in some marginal seats?...Er...Skuse me ser...bat canz you tells me which seats arez therez...i'llz be bits interests to know....Originally posted by oxford mushroom:Hear hear! From the defeated soldier in the battlefield, " They only managed to shoot off one of my legs.."
Read the post-election analysis: had it not been for the support of the Malays in particular in some marginal seats, the results could have gone the other way. The Opposition parties have not managed to win the confidence of minority races.
But your usual rants detract from the point of this thread. The government's initiative to foster racial harmony by encouraging greater interaction among our young is definitely a step in the right direction.
People like you will always oppose everything the government does. but that's just why Singaporeans cannot afford to have more Opposition party members in Parliament. If Opposition Party MPs behave like you and object to everything even if it is for the good of the nation, it will distract legislators from doing the real job of governing the nation.
Enough of the stupid talk...Indeed i applaud the government to foster racial harmony...But you mixing votes and fostering racial harmony? Politics plus racial integration? Come on...keep to the focus here Oxy...racial harmony, yes there is...I can speak fairly well in mandarin and tamil, but i am a malay, and i have lotsa friends from both races...
But really why have this campaign? Isn't that kinda like a waste of resources?
I find that the problem in racial harmony lies at home...Even when my mom says something that Chinese are liars and Indians are useless...(PLEASE THIS IS ONLY EXAMPLE AND NOT INTENDED TO CAUSE PAIN OR HURT. IF YOU GOT SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT MAIL ME)... Parents have this stigma stuck in their minds all the time and its helplessly passed down to their kids...It's not really rare where i hear people saying Mats are lazy bastards...
And don't evemn bring the idea of NS here brader...I can say one service is open to all races...the other Services?? ummmm nothing heard....
Point here is that racial harmony starts from the home...neighbours and all...
People like you will always oppose everything the government does
Really if there is no opposition, and these things which you label as "problems" how are we going to have the PAP in check?...really throw their track record out of the window, and you would see since after GCT, its been gradually downhill...in PR i guess.... -
Originally posted by oxford mushroom:
Do mushrooms have more legs then the ONLY one that they depend on to be a lecherous plant growing offf some other stronger species ?
Hear hear! From the defeated soldier in the battlefield, " They only managed to shoot off one of my legs.."
Read the post-election analysis: had it not been for the support of the Malays in particular in some marginal seats, the results could have gone the other way. The Opposition parties have not managed to win the confidence of minority races.
But your usual rants detract from the point of this thread. The government's initiative to foster racial harmony by encouraging greater interaction among our young is definitely a step in the right direction.
People like you will always oppose everything the government does. but that's just why Singaporeans cannot afford to have more Opposition party members in Parliament. If Opposition Party MPs behave like you and object to everything even if it is for the good of the nation, it will distract legislators from doing the real job of governing the nation.
Post-election analysis ?
Which independent correspondent has ever written any piece that will be accepted for print in the Singapore Press ?
If you can believe on the propaganda analysis that blow hot air up the seat of the white pants, it speaks volumes of your boastful qualification.
Is it not pathetic that for one who claim to be educated from Oxford, will expect the competing UK politicians from the ruling Labor Party, and that from the Conservatives and the Liberals to be mutually supportive of each others policy ?
Is it not a common characteristics that insofar as POLITICS is concerned, there will always be competing ideas, and when the government of the day had more then enough time to prove that they are leading us nowhere with their politics, it is time for more able persons to take center stage.
Being trained in Oxford, have you been trained to find that licking the pink cream to be tastier than that coming from your own yellow skin ?
For one who is educated from Oxford and will approve the selfish monopolistic POLITICS played by this Singapore Ruling Party, it can only be disastrous for Singapore, and can only spell the end for Singaporeans.
Is Singapore making any headway with the current Members of Parliament from the two Alternative Parties sitting on the Opposite Side of the Parliamentary Bench ?
Those better educated, who have entered Parliament, have done so after being "persuaded" to enter politics on the side of the Ruling Party; and after entering politics, they will abandon their own positions so as to enjoy the benefit of being on the right side, instead of representing the interests of Singaporeans and Singapore.
On your own previous public statements and announcement - in this Speaker's Corner - of not approving of the Ruling Party strategy, you have shown yourself to be hypocritically contradicting of your Primary Statement by being more then defensive of this Government.
It is simply shameful to your alma mater to be a person of such character. -
eehhmm..mushrooms have no legs, they have a single STEM