Well, I was told to put up one post. Not knowing what to say, I shall talk about the Yellow Ribbon Project, and how it’s a apt reflection of society today.
You all know about this so-called “Yellow Ribbon Project”, based on the song that (was more romantic than political/societal) went “Oh tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree… lalalalalalalalala”. Supposedly set up to help crimminal integrate back into society etc.. Wow, so touching. There’s even a TV series based on this Yellow Ribbon Project. Wow, the movement is gaining recognition.
Wait, before the netizens all blast me again for my insensitive commenting on the issue (ala so many previous “incidents” which were blown up by the press), I have to clarify that I’m a supporter of the “turn over a new leaf” project too. What? No link? What I’m trying to say here is I support the intention behind the movement, that is, give those fellas another chance. All of us have done wrong before, who dares to claim otherwise? However, for the most of us, the punishments meted out have little impact on how society views us. I mean, not doing homework and passing them up on time is breaking school rules, but does that 1-2-3-4-5-10000 times of not doing homework cause people to stare at you in a different light (hey, maybe the girls might start to like a bad-ass boy like you, and vice versa instead.) But, take someone who steals something (I’m not condoning stealing here), and he gets marked, simple as that. Both issues deal with integrity, but why does the former get it lighter than the latter? Something must be wrong. So, having a “turn over a new leaf” project is good.
Not having a “Yellow Ribbon Project”. Wow, hang badges, donate money, smile with the celebrities, sob-sob at those tragic stories, the movement is soooooooooooo helpful. You know what I think? I think its mostly (not all, considering the success stories featured here and there) gimmicky, part of Singapore’s drive to “loosen up” and be less “uptight”. Ask yourself honestly, any concrete effect seen till date? I tell you, it’s not just about the awareness, everyone is aware of the government, but how many actually bother to take a proactive role in engaging the government? I’m talking about the mindset here, where everything is all “showy”, but nothing really changes.
Look, simple example: Government agencies, do they hire people with a crimminal background? Especially those which requires leadership roles? What about employers? There are loads of talented people out there who have made just one wrong step, and all we’re doing to engage them is to get them a job just to get by? Let them take on menial jobs? And celebrate over the success of getting them a job? I say, screw the Yellow Ribbon Project, they’re going the wrong way. Let’s start from the ground, the younger generation, not from the press/media. They always distort the aim (remember: viewership ratings).
On another thought, isn’t that reflective of Singaporean society today? A bunch of superficial people? We pride ourselves on cleanliness, but look many HDB blocks. Litter everywhere. Pee/vandalism is prevalent. What about being a caring society, where so many couples nowadays dump/abandon their old folks in those homes to live out their lives? Or maybe, a multi-racial society, but where racial groupings are becoming more and more pronounced? Or racist jokes are now the “in thing” (no thanks to Southpark and the like), and most disturbingly, are shared only with people of the same race. I have to clarify that racist jokes are fine, when taken in the context of having a good laugh at one another’s indiosyncracies, but it HAS to be multi-racial, not intra-racial. Excessive intra-racial telling of racist jokes threatens to tip the younger generation into the abyss of prejudice, which is SO prevalent in a world struggling to cope with increasing globalisation, and blurring ot identities.
I’d suggest we stop worrying about the haze, or who get the Sentosa IR bid, or how our economy will be like in 50 years. Rather, I think its time to stop, take stock of our Singaporean Identity, reflect on the our characters/mentality/mindset, and make the necessary changes, before we’re enslaved once more, not by the British, but by the power of practicality, materialism, money and superficiality.
So tell me again, what wrong with Singlish huh? What’s wrong with creating a unique slang? Or are you telling the Americans they’re fucking dumb for going against the British?
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