Saturday, July 21, 2007
One of the signs of growing up, I think, is the ability to look back on the past and reminiscence the fun times you had with friends. It is definitely fun to look back, but at the end of it, it just sinks further in how much older you are. Recounting the different stalls at the canteen, the jokes and lessons with teachers and classmates, how time flies. I remember once in school we had a "be-yourself day", and everyone could dress in whatever they wanted. I had a classmate who cross dressed. He wore a lot of red, that much I remember, and his pencil case was a mini handbag with lip gloss, and compact. I guess the fact they he came from Thailand made it a little more comforting. Of course we all had a good laugh, though we were quite freaked out then.
Recently Racial Harmony Day passed, and to tell you the truth, I had absolutely no idea when it was. Makes you really wonder if all the celebrations and hype in schools are worth it. Then the government will justify its money spending by emphasizing the importance of racial harmony, which I agree is important, but perhaps a different approach would be more effective? Anyway, a recent article in Channel News Asia's website said that a certain secondary school punished some of its students who did not come in ethnic costumes. How ridiculous is that? Then again, it doesn't surprise me, but let me post a comment from the principle.
"Only 30 plus students missed the celebrations, out of about 1,200 students. I don't think that's excluding a lot of people; it's only a minority."
How can you make that kind of comment when the article is about racial harmony!!! Discarding the minority to one side like they do not matter. So now it is OK to be prejudice against those who for some reason can't get a costume, but its not to be prejudice against races? Damn you Singaporeans who have to be told everything, the underline meaning behind racial harmony day is not just being in harmony with different races, but more importantly not to be prejudice against anyone. Not the poor, not the old, not the disabled. Should we have a day for each of those as well?
Dan
1:24 pm
