Dear Readers of My Blog,
The Socratic Seminar on Friday (19 February 2010) discussed the topic regarding what our national identity should be. I would like to add my views on this matter.
In Singapore, it is extremely difficult to create a national identity. There are many reasons why this is so. Firstly, our forefathers came from different parts of the world and are different in race, language, religion, culture and even the food they consume.
Singapore is also a young nation of only 45 years, having only gained her independence in 1965. 45 years is considered a very short period to have had a national identity.
In recent years, there is yet another difficulty. The government has been hiring plenty of foreigners to work in Singapore. Not only do the people of Singapore have to content with the above-mentioned difficulties, with the influx of foreigners, this task is made even harder. Besides, humans are the most unpredictable creatures in the world…
I feel that for Singapore to have only one national identity is an impossible task. This is because she has too diverse a community and too great a variation in her citizens.
In my opinion, I strongly believe that instilling the virtue of 饮水思源 (one quality that our school emphasises greatly on) in each and every one of her young citizens is more vital than seeking a physical symbol to represent her. A child, brought up with right values, will then give back generously to the society, after having received many privileges from it. This way, a sense of belonging towards Singapore will be manifested clearly in that individual, regardless of race, language and religion.
Does one need a physical symbol to represent one’s national identity? To me, the emotional attachment to one’s nation is more important.
Best Regards,
Nathan
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I wish to disagree on your point that a national identity is an impossible task. Your point that our forefathers come from different countries might be a good one, if not for the fact that Singapore is one of the few places where you can see a Christian Church right next to a Muslim Mosque without seeing riots. Compared to next door Malaysia......
ReplyDeleteThere is no such thing as impossible. Our forefathers have managed to unite despite their differences.
Perhaps you disagree, but that is because your point of view is that of a Singaporean born and bred into society. I will tell you what my point of view is.
I know stories of the best students, either Indians or Chinese, who have gotten full strings of perfect grades, and still have not managed to get into the lowest institutions in Malaysia. That is why the brain drain problem is so prevalent there. However, in Singapore, the brain drain problem is just because of foreign propaganda that pulls local students out to other countries.
Foreigners that work in Singapore do not dilute national identity. They take on jobs which locals would rather go bankrupt than take on. As such, they fill up the job market of jobs that no one takes, promoting the economy, but they are trod down on and even have to show insolent youngsters respect. Locals are always pushed up and given precedence.
I find that your last sentence is wrong. If you are too emotionally attached to your nation, you will end up bothering yourself with unnecessary matters of the country. The correct word is not attachment.That connotates a desire to posses. You should say loyalty.
Hi Jian Shern,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment on this topic!
To explain the brain drain problem in our neighbouring country, I believe the main cause is because the Malaysian government works on the principle of a Malay Malaysia. However, this is not the main point that I want to put forth.
My blog post mentioned that we have yet to have a national identity, so to say that foreigners do not dilute it sounded strange.
If the government of a country emphasises meritocracy and equality amongst her citizens, then her citizens will naturally identify with her and protect her during times of trial. That is why the values taught to these individuals from a very young age are very vital.
What I meant was that loyalty towards the nation is a better national identity than a cheongsam or a sari.
Best Regards,
Nathan