Thursday, October 26, 2006
Wee Shu Min
Seems that everyone is having a crack at Wee Shu Min, which is totally understandable given the kind of controversy that it managed to stir up. However, amidst all this banter and noise about what actually transpired, I think that the whole saga has actually brought to light a key issue: Is there really an elite in Singapore?
Don't get me wrong. I'm not on some witch hunt here and then adopt a holier than thou attitude about the entire thing. It seems that the whole elite class thing has been somesort of an taboo topic to speak about. Everyone knows that there is, yet the majority of those actually shun from it.
It's very heartening to see the youths of today sounding out what they actually feel about key issues. They've managed to move beyond the classroom and take an active role in highlighting concerns of the general public. However, I despair at the arrogance that some individuals (again, I'm not on a witch hunt) have chosen to voice their opinions. Being insightful and critical is one thing, but being outright rude and pompous is another. If we are to depend on such individuals to lead the country (I would suppose that this is what education in an esteemed school is all about), then I have genuine concern for the future of this country. Let me explain.
We cannot afford to have such an overbearing attitude towards critical social issues. Public service is all about being empathetic, showing genuine concern for the less privilleged of the country. I'm an idealist, and would go so far as to say that more privilleged citizens of the country should step up and be counted, as well as to make a difference in the lives of others. This is Confucianism at its best. There is no point being the privilleged (and in Shu Min's own words, elite) and yet only being N-A-T-O (No Action Talk Only). Parents should inculcate this sense of social reponsibility in the child. Let's not mask our children's inadequacy (social or otherwise) and turn it into a self-serving defense. What's the point? That would culminate in running away from the gist of the whole problem.
On another note, I disagree with a blog being a private domain and realm. It's on the WWW for crying out loud! Simply google any darn subject of interest and you get tonnes and tonnes of links and whatnots. What more with the advent of GoogleEarth, etc etc. Point I'm trying to make is, there is no such thing as privacy on the net.
Take it easy, Keep it real...
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