Daily Lessons for Life 27 May 2009

"Embrace diversity
There are a growing number of Singaporeans identifying themselves with their race and religion. -Wed, May 27, 2009 The Straits Times

IF SINGAPORE falls prey to religious and racial bigotry, the economic crisis would become a growing cancer in society, instead of just a passing thunderstorm, Minister of State for Defence Koo Tsai Kee warned on Wednesday.


Speaking to Parliament, Mr Koo noted that there are a growing number of Singaporeans identifying themselves with their race and religion, which is 'nothing wrong if seen in the right perspective'. He is worried about 'small groups becoming self-righteous and intolerant of diversity.' "

ALL thinking Singaporeans know that it is extremely dangerous to flirt with the topics of race, religion and language in a multi-racial and multi-religious small nation like Singapore. The unshakable doctrine of leaving race, religion and language OUT of controversy is well established and guarded by the government. I hope ANY government in Singapore will continue to uphold this principle and strict enforcement of the ban. BUT, if Mr. Koo is referring to the recent saga of the AWARE leadership fight portrayed as the Christian fundamentalist intolerant of gay and lesbian as the sign of the danger, I think he has missed the point.

As we all subsequently learned that the issue was the promotion of homosexuality as normal or neutral and others objectionable teaching in the Sexuality Education Program designed by the previous (now back in control) AWARE that triggered that so-called 'power tussle'. In this case, I feel that the majority has spoken and not just the religious right folks!

Lessons for me are:

1. no let up on monitoring and controlling anyone who try to incite unrest and disharmony through race, religion and language. Lock them up if need be as Singapore is multi-racial and multi-religious;

2. the leaders must be clear about what it meant to embrace Diversity. It does not mean the minority can do what they like but respect the right of the majority. The majority will respect the minority's right and not discriminate against them. However, there must be a majority view and a minority view of the social value of the time. The minority cannot just hide behind the shield of 'I was discriminated against' without proving that their values should be adopted by the majority!;

3. diversity to me means respecting different opinions and ideas and ways of doing things. That respect must be mutual. We can argue for all we like but we cannot force others to accept our viewpoints. It has to be accepted after they think over it themselves.

May Singapore embrace diversity in the appropriate manner, and continue to prosper!