Friday, June 29, 2007
Racial Harmony
Although Singapore is just a small red dot on the world map, but it is not an ordinary red dot. What distinguishes this little country, apart from its greenery and warm tropical climate, is its stability, and lack of racial problems. Singapore is a multiracial society. In our community, 4 official races are present, namely the Chinese, Malays, Indians and the Eurasians. Naturally, in our society, minority races like the Arabs are also present. Watching the news on television, and reading our national newspapers such as Straits Times, and the Chinese newspaper, Lianhe Zaobao, we have come to realize the value of Racial Harmony in a multicultural society like ours.
Many tragic events between races are still a nightmare for Singaporeans now and without their existence, Singaporeans will not be able to understand the importance of racial harmony.
One of the most terrific racial riot happened on the 21st July 1964. There were many casualties and only on the very first day of the riot, there were already 4 killed and 174 injured. In total, about 23 people had lost their lives and 178 were injured giving a total of about 201 casualties in this riot alone. This riot was reported to have started at about 5pm. During the course of the 11days of the riot, curfews were imposed to help stop the riot. After the riot, there was significant damage to property and vehiclesand about 2,500 people were arrested, mostly for possession of dangerous weapons and violating the curfew.
The day before the riot had started, 21st July, 1964, 25,000 Malays gathered at Padang to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. During the procession towards Geylang, a group that had dispersed from the procession was asked by a policeman to rejoin the procession yet the group disobeyed orders and attacked the policeman. The group of Malays then continued to attack some Chinese passer-bys and spectators which led to a race riot between the Malays and the Chinese. Throughout the riot, curfews were imposed and only lifted for the civilians to buy supplies.
As our ancester failed to understand the importance of racial harmony, wheather to themself or to the country, we must learn from their mistakes and not let such disaster happen again. Only when Singaporeans is united regardless of race and religion, then Singapore will prosper.
Posted at: 10:10 PM
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Western Colonisation
The rationales for colonization were mainly economic. The Industrial Revolution in the Europe had given rise to the need for raw materials. Given its richness in natural resources, Southeast Asia was a good target of colonization. The colonies also provided ready markets for manufactured goods of the colonizing powers. The desire to protect and secure the strategic trade route between India and China through the Straits of Malacca was another reason.
Western colonization dates back all the way as early as 16th century. In ancient times, maritime nations such as the city-states of Greece and Phoenicia often established colonies. These appear to have been more benign, emphasizing the farming of uninhabited land. In classical times, land suitable for farming was often claimed by migratory "barbarian tribes" who lived by hunting and gathering. To ancient civilized people, the land simply appeared vacant. However this does not mean that conflict did not exist between the colonizers and native peoples.
Another period of colonization in Ancient times was from the Romans. The Roman Empire conquered a large part of Western Europe, North Africa and West Asia. In North Africa and west Asia they were often conquering civilized peoples, but as they moved north into Europe they mostly encountered rural tribes with very little in the way of cities. In these areas, waves of Roman colonization often followed the conquest of the area.
Many of the current cities around Europe began as Roman colonies, such as the German city Köln (better known in its French form Cologne), which was originally called Colonia Claudia by the Romans; and the British capital city of London which the Romans started as Londinium.
When the Western powers sailed down to South East Asia, small south-east Asia was then split up by many different European countries, mainly the Great Britain, France and Holland. Portugal also has their Macaw from the China. Although these world powers established and organized and a well developed economic structure for then and future, the civilians still dreamt to have their people to rule the place, not the outsiders.
During WW2, when Japanese troops march down South-East Asia and smashing every single civilization accept the Thais. We finally realized how fragile and vulnerable these world powers from attacks. We also realized that colonizing powers will not truly protect their colonies during hard times of battle. Our ancestors knew if they want to survive on their own, they had to take control because only they will have the will and determination to protect their homeland.
After the war, they protested for changes and self-internal governance. That is when, slowly, they free the nations into their own local's hand.
Now, Singapore is prosperous with sky scrappers everywhere. We stood on our own and proved to the world that without the British, the lion can still soar in the stage of world.
Reference
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonization#Historical_Colonisations
The Land and its history
A common past – colonization and Its Legacy
Posted at: 11:51 PM
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Prejudice is a disease that never go away
In its original usage, the word prejudice referred to a prejudgmental statement of ill doing, or an evaluation or decision made before the facts of a case could be properly determined and weighed. These are a few types of prejudice, racism, linguicism, ageism, heterosexism. the most controversial prejudice exists as form of discriminations against African Americans also known as Negro in United Stats. These former slaves are often discriminated by the whites. Blacks are regarded as lower class citizen and are not equally treated.
I search the web about the famous speech "i have a dream" by Martin Luther King. He demanded equal treament and demanded freedom, justice for the Negro. His aspiring speech outside Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C, the two former presidents of United States, voiced out the frustration and anger of the former slaves.
"I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood ."
This particular sentence kept me thinking. He said this in year 1962, 44 years ago. Indeed, the situation has changed for the better. However, discriminations and racism still exist.
We are living in a multi-racial society where discrination and racism must be avoided. I believe that prejudice is a disease, but a disease that can be fully cured. Just like what Martin Luther King's dream. I'm sure his dream will be come true one day.
Posted at: 7:24 AM
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Blog Assignment "Youtube"
"
YouTube has no ethics, it's been created for the sole purpose of entertainment and money." I agree to a large extend. YouTube seems to be a commonly known web for watching videos. Teenagers log on to it to watch the latest movie and watch the latest music video of their favourite artists. When we want to watch some videos, we will just
youtube it.
However,
YouTube is actually a
platform for individuals or groups to make their own videos and share with the public. It is suppose to develope hidden talents but this autority is often taken for granted and abused. They uploaded copyrighted videos and controversial videos that either insulted others or intruded their privacy in a way or another. Among these people, some even created videos that insults world leaders and religions. For example, King Bhumibol Adulyadej was insulted by a 44-second film showing graffiti over the king's face was aired. By doing this, creativity was not practised but a country and a religion was offended. Besides that, its unethical to upload copyrighted videos. By doing that, good products are destroyed as their creativity and hardworks are not paid off. We can just log on to youtube to watch the movie and there is no need to go to cinema to watch a movie. As a result, less quality products are produced as the artists are not motivated to produce.Thus, i think that YouTube has no ethics, it's been created for the sole purpose of entertainment and money.
Posted at: 11:17 PM
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
GP assignment
"Arrgh! GP homework!!!". Since my dear GP teacher requested us to write a short introductory paragraph on myself, i shall be a good student and do what i can to please my teacher.
I was born in year 88 Dec, a dragon baby. I know that’s nothing to be proud of but i just feel fantastic to be a dragon baby. However, my birthday in on December and its always neglected by my fellow classmates... T.T
I'm actually a very playful person, participate in the wide range of activities, like soccer, basketball, table tennis etc. By playing, i can totally release my stress accumulated in school and let my mind go wild. Asking me to stay at home and study the whole day is equivalent to torturing me. However sometimes, teachers matter also. How good the teacher directly affects my interest on the subject. How i wish my new AJC teachers are kind, patient and loving. May god bless me.
Posted at: 5:55 AM