This note is about how the young adults have reacted to this General Elections thus far. No I am not talking about the sheer growing numbers of people that are actively voicing their dissent for the incumbent party, I am talking about the way people are behaving on the social platform. To structure my note a little less waywardly, I will note here that I will be discussing TWO main key takeaways (no theories or statistics here. just some heartfelt thoughts) here:
1) TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT
Most of us have probably heard of this idiom, some of us believe in it, but few of us act on it. Why do I say so? Just log into your facebook, check your newsfeed, and pick out some of the many posts on the elections and run through the comments/captions. How many of these are incendiary/mocking/demeaning/rude remarks? These are what I am talking about.
This round of elections showed me a side of Singaporeans I have never seen on such a scale--the ugly Singaporean. If only people thought twice about the consequences of their words. Maybe they feel that it is only right that they have the freedom to express themselves in whatsoever manner they wish. Sure, I am not denying that right, but is there no way to express yourself without putting someone else down, making snide remarks or picking the most incendiary of remarks to fuel even more political divide? Political debate is healthy and encouraged, but when it starts showing the ugly side of people, it may be time to take some time off and reflect upon one's own behavior. If you are proud of what you have been doing, there is little much in this note that will resonate. Others may rebutt that some of our electoral candidates (from both parties) are not saying very nice stuff about each other either. I am asking you back: do two wrongs make a right?
2) BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE --do not just demand for it to be given to you
The point speaks for itself, but let me elaborate. It is easy to speak of change and I admire some of the opposition candidates for actively pursuing their beliefs. THEY are actively doing something about it, ARE YOU?
Singapore is our home, there is no doubt about this for me but I alone cannot speak for the entire cohort of voters. However I would like to ask while we vote in ministers, parties to speak up for our rights our opinions, shape our lives, do we really expect to rely solely on them to shape our home? A home is more than policies and infrastructure, it is about the social fabric, how people interact with one another.
One example I will use here to illustrate my point--the issue of helping out the lower income group and the needy. I do not deny that Government policies are crucial to helping alleviate the problems of these groups of people, but I do not believe they will be effective as standalone measures.
How many of you meet buskers along the streets on your way to work, school or when you are out enjoying yourself with friends? How many of you have seen old people pushing carts around the streets, sleeping in public places, rummaging through rubbish cans? How many of you have actually talked to these people, listened to them talk, given them a smile, contributed to their causes? There are many examples I can give, but you can see where I am coming from.
Helping the needy is more than what government policies can do. The community needs to involve and integrate these people more. Asking the government to do something is one thing, but if one doesn't act on it as well, how do we expect ourselves to become a truly first class country or rather how does Singapore become a place where people can truly call home?
There are many other issues that this train of thought can be applied to, for this General Election, and beyond. But then again it's just my opinion. Not asking anyone to subscribe to this line of reasoning, just asking for a open mind.
1) TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT
Most of us have probably heard of this idiom, some of us believe in it, but few of us act on it. Why do I say so? Just log into your facebook, check your newsfeed, and pick out some of the many posts on the elections and run through the comments/captions. How many of these are incendiary/mocking/demeaning/rude remarks? These are what I am talking about.
This round of elections showed me a side of Singaporeans I have never seen on such a scale--the ugly Singaporean. If only people thought twice about the consequences of their words. Maybe they feel that it is only right that they have the freedom to express themselves in whatsoever manner they wish. Sure, I am not denying that right, but is there no way to express yourself without putting someone else down, making snide remarks or picking the most incendiary of remarks to fuel even more political divide? Political debate is healthy and encouraged, but when it starts showing the ugly side of people, it may be time to take some time off and reflect upon one's own behavior. If you are proud of what you have been doing, there is little much in this note that will resonate. Others may rebutt that some of our electoral candidates (from both parties) are not saying very nice stuff about each other either. I am asking you back: do two wrongs make a right?
2) BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE --do not just demand for it to be given to you
The point speaks for itself, but let me elaborate. It is easy to speak of change and I admire some of the opposition candidates for actively pursuing their beliefs. THEY are actively doing something about it, ARE YOU?
Singapore is our home, there is no doubt about this for me but I alone cannot speak for the entire cohort of voters. However I would like to ask while we vote in ministers, parties to speak up for our rights our opinions, shape our lives, do we really expect to rely solely on them to shape our home? A home is more than policies and infrastructure, it is about the social fabric, how people interact with one another.
One example I will use here to illustrate my point--the issue of helping out the lower income group and the needy. I do not deny that Government policies are crucial to helping alleviate the problems of these groups of people, but I do not believe they will be effective as standalone measures.
How many of you meet buskers along the streets on your way to work, school or when you are out enjoying yourself with friends? How many of you have seen old people pushing carts around the streets, sleeping in public places, rummaging through rubbish cans? How many of you have actually talked to these people, listened to them talk, given them a smile, contributed to their causes? There are many examples I can give, but you can see where I am coming from.
Helping the needy is more than what government policies can do. The community needs to involve and integrate these people more. Asking the government to do something is one thing, but if one doesn't act on it as well, how do we expect ourselves to become a truly first class country or rather how does Singapore become a place where people can truly call home?
There are many other issues that this train of thought can be applied to, for this General Election, and beyond. But then again it's just my opinion. Not asking anyone to subscribe to this line of reasoning, just asking for a open mind.
