//Disclaimer: I'm not criticising or against the girl and what she says. Shit, I don't even know her, nor did I finish watching her video. And I believe that everyone has a right to their own comments. Just like I have a right to my own comments.
So, if you know me, or if you're a friend of mine, you would know that I really love my country. I think I've mentioned it before on this blog that whenever National Day is around the corner, I get super hyped and patriotic. I even wear red on days around Singapore's birthday, when I'm not attending the parade.
A lot of friends have asked if I would like to migrate elsewhere, or to retire somewhere else.
My answer is, no.
Anyway, back to the topic at hand, many people have been sharing her video on Facebook and saying how they 'agree completely' with her, how 'what she says hits the spot' etc etc.
Well, my response is very simple, if you're not happy with the government and how Singapore runs, and you would prefer a country which allows you to have riots, freedom of speech and walk around with guns, then maybe you should consider taking up your citizenship somewhere else.
No? Isn't it a very simple solution that I've provided you with?
Just pack up and leave, won't you?
Why? No money? But I thought you just complained that everything in Singapore is very expensive, and that the standard of living is very high. So I would assume that when you say that, the standards of living in other countries are very low, and that you could afford living there. I'm sorry if I assumed wrongly, then.
So you say that the girl who posted has migrated to Australia because of that. Okay, I don't know if that's true because I didn't do research on her or what. I'm just assuming that she does because she said something like this guy flew her from Sydney to Singapore to participate in the Kpop contest.
Then I'll say, good for her! She was unhappy, and she left. Good for her!
That doesn't make her a hypocrite, unlike the rest of you.
Wait, wait. I'm having deja vu now. Next, someone will post something about this too and try to have a debate with me. I'm being serious now and not sarcastic…
Okay the deja vu moment has just passed.
Anyway, the Double Ds then posted a Youtube video in response called 'Why are you not proud to be Singaporean?'. There's so many points that they've mentioned that I so strongly feel for.
One of it was that Singapore has been built to what it is in just less than 50 years.
Damn, just that alone makes me so proud and grateful.
The other point is brought up by Dee Kosh about how he was born in Philippines and how it was lacking in a lot of things. Yet so many Filipinos are so proud to be a Filipino.
I think that's very true and it's sad. Sad for Singapore.
Most of us grew under very fortunate circumstances and environments.
We don't have to worry about sanitation, education, or shelter, yet we feel ashamed to be a Singaporean?
What have we done for our country, and what has our country not done for us?
It then makes me think of all the foreigners who are glad to be here in Singapore.
Why is it that the strangers who come to Singapore to work or study are happier with the state, but the sons and daughters who were born and bred here, are so displeased?
The worse the state of a country is, the prouder its citizens are. Weird, isn't it?
Look at America's situation now. It's dire. But the Americans are still fucking proud of their country.
Why? Honestly, isn't it weird?
I had an exchange with a friend on Facebook. This was how it went:
I just feel that a lot of the concerns that many Singaporeans raised were actually the building blocks of what Singapore is currently.
Too stringent laws? Okay, I admit some are a little extreme. But most of them maintain the order and security in Singapore.
As stated in the screenshot above, I feel that there's a pro with every con. I shall briefly explain those that may seem a little vague.
To me:
- Everything is under the law > That's why it's a safe country. I especially like the no arms law. Like hello, I don't want an episode of the Sandy Hook School Shooting here in Singapore. It's not cool. It's fucking unsafe. I love the fact that I can walk around Singapore at 4 in the morning and not have to constantly look over my shoulders and worry that I may get kidnapped. The only thing unsafe would be me tripping over a tree branch. Okay lah, I exaggerate the last sentence. But seriously, crime rates are damn low compared to other countries. Look at the rape cases in India, and look at Singapore. Granted, India is an exception and there are a lot of rape incidents in Singapore that are not picked up in the media. But it won't make a huge difference. Look at the murder cases in the Western countries, and look at Singapore. There are a lot of psychos in America, if you have no idea what I'm talking about. You have got to watch more shows and read up on wiki.
- No freedom of speech > It also leads to a safe country. Can you imagine you're doing your shopping and suddenly this person appears out of nowhere and starts hurling racist remarks at you. You will confirm be pissed, right? If you're not, then you're probably a Saint. If there was a freedom of speech that allows you to say anything and whatever you want, there will be a lot of chaos. If that could happen, Amy Cheong will still be in Singapore typing racist remarks on her Facebook page. Do you remember all the backlash and angry responses from the Malay community? I don't want to have to walk around fearing that a riot may suddenly happen because of these stupid and insensitive words.
- Very competitive > I don't feel stressed out because of competition. Sure, there are people out there competing with you for jobs, education. But even if there are no foreigners (i'm not sure if that's what you mean, but that's what almost all Singaporeans are saying, so I shall take it as that), there will still be competition amongst ourselves. Maybe I'm still young, and I'm still studying. But without globalisation, without allowing foreign companies to enter, there will be less employment opportunities. Won't it be even more competitive, then?
- Everyday need to worry about money > This is quite obvious because everything and anything also require money. Unless you're saying that you go other countries don't need?
- Scared the next min will get fired by boss and become jobless > So far I don't know anyone who has experienced this. Unless you're talking about retrenchment? Then that's natural. You're telling me other countries no retrenchment? Then maybe you should take a look at Europe's unemployment rate.
- Look at today's young generation, kids in the pri level, they are like every hour study, after sch need to attend tuition , at night need to do hw, you think they are happy? Start to have stress at a young age. Their childhood memories will be like books and books. > No, they're not happy. When I was young, I also had a lot of tuition. I couldn't go out to play, I don't even have any childhood friends. I even started enrichment programmes before I started primary school. I do feel resentful at times that I don't have a fun childhood like people I know. But when I went to school, I didn't suffer much because I was already prepared for it. And now at 22 years old, I'm doing alright. In fact, my friends who had a fun childhood and who weren't serious about education thought that it was good that I started young and were regretful themselves. It's also knowing how to keep a good balance between fun and education. I know how to enjoy myself, have fun and play, but when I have to study, I study.
I'm not saying that Singapore is perfect, nor is it infallible.
There definitely has to be improvements made.
But I believe that a lot of the decisions made are for the greater good, and ultimately, you have to remember that without all of its laws in place, it wouldn't be the Singapore it is.
Unless, you're trying to say you would be better off without all of these advancements and would rather live like the kampong days, like a 3rd world country. Then maybe you really should migrate.
Migrate to somewhere else where the simplest of things will make you happy.
No sarcasm here. I mean seriously. If you feel so unsatisfied, maybe you should just move to somewhere which will make you happy, right?
Why are you just all talk, and no action?
You guys keep saying that PAP is just all talk and no action, aren't you, too?
Doesn't that then make you a hypocrite?
In addition, I felt really happy when I went on Stomp and saw that some of the comments were actually positive and defensive of Singapore.
Well that reminds me, I reeeaaally should be doing my assignments now..
To sum it all up:
If there's any reason for me to not be proud of being a Singaporean, it would be the people itself.
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