Enjoy!

Racial Blindness?

In reference to the recent National Day Rally Speech by PM Lee.

Should we learn to be "racial blind" to the presence of sensitivity of racial issues in Singapore? This is a question posed by many netizens in forums discussing the issue of racial acceptance. Some wonder why we are putting so much hussle to educate on racial differences and learn how to be tolerant to other races. Our PM also dedicated much time on this issue during the speech.

Singapore society is just like a fabric; interwoven with all kinds of people from different races. People have already gotten used to living with other races that people have closed two eyes or are oblivious of other races' customs and practices.

Some argue that this concept of blindness is actually beneficial in nurturing a multi-racial society as the idea of "equality" and that "we are all the same as Singaporeans" will be easier and this will unite our society as a whole. So, why kick a fuss out of this racial differences? We have already gotten used to the other races and treat them as the same anyway? After all, Singapore has already been successful in accepting gender differences.

It is fact that Singapore is a multi-racial society and therefore, we are vulnerable to conflicts. "It is a bolder and grander vision", as Dr Balankrishnan said, to understand and accept each other's customs and differences, rather than try to deceive ourselves that we are all the same as Singaporeans. Conflicts are bound to happen - from the jam caused by mosque and church gatherings to Malay weddings and Chinese funerals in void decks. Feigning ignorance will not solve the problem - Singaporeans love to complain, still. The greater step towards a cohesive, multi-racial society is to be conscious of each other's customs, and really accept them.

Blindness to differences is to feign ignorance. Understanding and accepting is progress.

Singapore is not as homogeneous a society as Japanese, thus there are more complications involved. However, this actually benefits Singapore. Although both are ageing populations, Singapore would have a higher ground in solving this problem - foreigners who come into Singapore would find it a much easier time to blend into our "rojak" society than be in a all-Japanese society and feel left-out.

Village city on sea

This is a very unusual sight. Village, okay... but on the river?

Well, this is the Kampong Ayer in Brunei. I just came across this and well, cool! Houses are built on stilts on the Brunei river, but above all, thousands live in there with modern ammeties compatible with that of a city, like gas stations, schools, medical clinics, fire stations and markets.

Being the biggest 'village on sea' in the world, the Kampong Ayer is split into 28 kampong section. This houses are being built by wood and are being connected by wooden walkways.

While the older generations prefer to stay in these water villages, the younger genrations would find living on land a more attractive choice. With government offer of free housing on land and greater convenience in going too work, will the Kampong Ayer soon become history?

In the past, fishing and trading was the main revenue for Brunei. The water villages were therefore more apt for such activitites. With the discovery of huge supplies of oil, more and more people left the villages to work on land in plush houses that were more beautiful and safe to reside in.

However, these will not discourage the villagers in preserving their heritage.

Says kampong elder Salleh, "This is our heritage, we own the houses and we will not let this community die". He is in fact enthusiastic about building a museum on water to share to the younger generations Kampong Ayer's rich history.

With forecast that oil resources will deplete starting from 2020, tourism will be the next long-term solution to Brunei's revenue. And Kampong Ayer presents as a terrific tourism spot with its rich heritage and uniqueness.

Except that the government will need to consider changing and modernizing certain Kampong Ayer's appearances and introduce some new safety measures.

Thrill.

It all seemed so easy. I had attended the briefing, read books on such events, and here was I, ready to take on the Taman Jurong area on my shoulders. I located my class commitee, found our buddy and was ready to set off on our recee trip to distribute flyers for next friday's newspaper collection for donation.

Hoisting my branded bag on my shoulders, I was ready to face anything to come. We looked at the map provided and gave a sigh of indifference. The job was just too simple for us; it was just a few blocks that we had to distribute flyers.

I looked around with confidence, everyone was ready, the weather was fine and we all smiled as the buddy called for a meeting.

We were all stunned by the shocking news.

"Guys... I'm sorry that we have to take on 1P2's blocks as they are not going to be here."

We all grumbled but still, our faces shone with uncontrollable grins of excitement; it still looks very easy though.

In order to speed up our distribution of flyers, we decided to split ourselves into 3 groups - I chose Jeremy, a tall, cheerful person that definitely looked like a formidable team player. We were in charge of 4 blocks. It was just so simple.

We decided to take the lift to the top floor then slowly move down floor by floor so travelling would be much eaiser. It was 11:15 and we had to finish the job by 12:45. We all thought that 1 and a half hours were more than sufficient for us. And we were terribly wrong.

After finishing the first block, we found out that we have actually used half an hour. We were seriously behind schedule, while the pther teams were already halfway through the second block. Demoralised, we did not have any other solutions than speed up our movement.

THe next three blocks were just so slow, but we definitely enjoyed the proccess. Only now did I realized the hardship of being a newspaper distributer. Most of the residents did not open their doors so we squeezed the flyers into their gates or under their doors. Those who opened the doors were of different varieties. For the first of my life, I guarantee you, have I met such strange people.

Some were just simply indifferent to our distribution. They must have thought we are some stubborn salesman knocking on the door and deliberately ignored us. For these kind of people, we just have to leave the flyers outside their doors.

Some were just simply arrogant. There was a particular lady who saw me outside, and before I could introduce myself, she snapped, "Yes? What are you doing?" I felt like whacking her for not appreciating my hardwork and not noticing the beads of perspiration on my back but I just could not; i would be whacked by the teacher in charge :) Anyway, she snatched the flyer from my hand and sayed not another word when strolling into her room. Tolerance was a challenge.

I love the last kind of person, the kind and enthusiastic one. There was a particular old lady who screamed when she saw. She shrilled, "You must be tired! Come, let me give you a drink" I couldn't resist the offer, and both Jeremy and me laughed as we were thrilled by such warmth. THe most amazing thing is what she said at the end, "You look hungry, do you wnat to come in to have a meal?" We immediately insisted on rejecting her offer and quickly left before she comes up with any more ideas. What a wonderful experience!

In the end, we finally managed to finish our mission. Despite the fatique experienced, I felt as if I could live my whole life off this immense thrill.