Story that I read

This morning, while looking through Newsweek during the reading period. I came across an article talking about the knowledge of Americans on their country, America. There was a survey conducted and some shocking results were reported. A shocking news was that 43% of Americans cannot name a US territory, when it is in their homeland. This was pretty shocking to me as I did not expect that people from such an advance country like America to not know about their home country. Also, there was one question about the number of voting members in the House of Representatives. And a shocking statistic that 86% of the people do not know of the answer. Although I do not know what is that, but it is obvious that this is about politics, and it obviously would concern the future of the country. Do this 84% of people not care less?

I don't know. I may not be in position to comment on this. But it was indeed shocking to see this kinda news.

A letter to The Straits Time

Dear Sir/Mdm,


I'm writing to comment on what Singaporeans can learn from the recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami, and whether we as a nation possess what it takes to handle a similiar situation.

I find that the people in Japan, have a kind of etiquette that could not be found in Singaporeans. I have been reading up on the internet, and found out that the Japanese,  despite of the needs like food, water, shelter, could wait patiently in an orderly manner. One article I saw was that the Japanese, could line up properly in line, waiting for their turn to make phone calls to their family members. They themselves set an unwritten law that each person can only use the public phoneline for 10min. This, should be the spirit that Singaporeans should possess.

Look at our own country, we have people snatching for goods that are cheap. People complain when they are waiting, they cut queues, they can't stand waiting. This is the difference. The size of Japan is far bigger than Singapore, but look at what they can do, and what we are supposed to be able to accomplish, and are not even half-way there. And if Singaporeans get so fussed up for queuing and waiting for their turn to be served, what if it comes to a life-risking scenario? The situation would be chaotic.

Yours Sincerely,
Darryl Hwang

What does literature mean to you? Explain its significance in life.

I find that literature in life can be seen in difference aspects. You can take literature as the inner meaning of each and every action done. For example, people can take a mother punishing her son through physical pain as a sort of torture. But if we take this to a different point of view, the mother is doing this for the well-being of her son, sending a message to him that his actions are incorrect and should be changed after this punishment. 

Literature, can also be seen as a art production. Like books, movies and drama serials. When watching movies, reading books, people do not merely look at the surface of actions. But think about what is the hidden meaning. The joy of it could vary, like being satisfied with myself when I know what is trying to convey, and finding myself smart.

This, is what I feel and think is the joy of literature in life.

Racism in Singapore

I find that dealing with racism, it is impossible to do enough. Racism, in my opinion, is about the mentality one has towards a certain race. If the wrong thinking could not be dealt with, the problem would still be there, and remain unsolved.

I find that in Singapore, much has been done to combat racism. We have racial harmony day, and the ISA (internal security act) to maintain peace and order within the country, and within the citizens of different race and religions. Our national pledge also emphasize "regardless race, language, or religon". This shows that the government takes serious view about such a topic, racism. The Singapore society also treats each and every race equally. There are no such things whereby any race gets more privileges then the others, like getting better education, jobs or living conditions. We are all treated equally. Racial Harmony on 21 July every year celebrates the peace shared between the different races in Singapore. The ISA, also has laws whereby RACISM IS NOT ALLOWED in Singapore in any form. People can be jailed for being racists, and this shows how serious this matter can be.

However, I find that all the things done may be enough, but the final key still lies within the mind and psychology of the each and everyone, on how they treat the different races.