Well, this might the end product of an elitist society where
these people grow up in an environment that is not representative
of the social strata of Singapore.Put it this way, I knew this guy
personally.We came from the same primary school, and we began to
lose touch in secondary school.Most of the people I know have a
relatively sheltered and well-off upbringing, including myself.What
made the difference is perhaps how we go on in life, perhaps he did
not have the ability to see beyond skin colour.
I spent 10 years in a mission school, and after I landed up in JI,
which comparatively speaking, was a huge crash landing for me,
considering most of my mates went to HCJC, RJC, ACJC etc..But I
learnt one valuable lesson in having joined a "neighbourhood"
institution, and that is, the reality of Singapore is that we have
to mix around and engage each other.Though interracial engagement
was quite non-existent in secondary school due to statistical
reasons and frankly speaking, I did not feel that comfy mixing
around initially.However, as time went by, many situations helped
me to forge better friendships with everyone, regardless of skin
tone.
Should we blame his upbringing or the elitist school system in
which he went through, that does not possess a representation of
our society?I do not know, but there is a cause and effect for
everything.Yes, I cannot condone what he did because of the very
fact that he holds a PSC scholarship and of the future
responsibility that he might have to carry out in the Civil Service
later on.He is an "ass" because he could not see beyond his own
failings and be objective.You may have your viewpoint of things,
but this has to be tempered to the environment around you.It's
impossible to have your cake and eat it, but then again, many
people wish otherwise.
There are a few paths a person can take in life, I'm glad that I
had my wake-up call in regards to mixing around and appreciating
everyone for who they are and not their race.But for others, it
might take awhile more..
