Joel's part American having spent so many years there so there's a significant difference in the way we see things, mostly which we agree to disagree. But there's a quality in him I love so much and its his bigness of heart. America's idealism and generosity is deeply rooted in his personality and that made him very accepting of differences, be it race, religion or culture and that's pretty amazing. We don't see that often in Singaporeans despite the incredible diversity of our city. With the highly contentious controversy over immigration causing xenophobia, acceptance and kindness are really rare.
In the States, immigration is viewed as a chance everyone has to create a future there, to make it their home and to build the country eventually. In Singapore, it is limited to who can contribute to the economy through creating jobs or producing babies. We want these foreign talents.. Only if they are of value. We fear that the influx of foreigners will jeopardize our Singaporean essence. But what is it really, if not one wonderfully mismatched group of immigrants? Different races, religions and cultures coming together, isn't that what made Singapore, Singapore? People from all walks of life striving for better lives in a little red dot.
There are bound to be people who are unfavourable of this opinion and that's okay. Because it's valid that new faces, languages and accents do shake up our young nation's struggle with national identity. And people are always comfortable with familiar things although change is a constant. It is also understandably unfair to compare a superpower with vast land and resources to our tiny city with limited means but the emphasis is on how we can learn to change our attitude towards immigration. And who else to look up to than the one that did it better than us?
We need to stay open to these new faces and identities and the only way to do it is through a bigness of soul. We must stop measuring people based on economic value and accept them for who they are, individuals who may be potential Singaporeans whom we would love to share our nation with. People we want to help succeed together, because they too, will help in building up our country, making it grow better with progress.
Former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew once said:" My definition of a Singaporean, which will make us different from others, is that we accept whoever joins us is part of us.. that must be our defining attribute." I couldn't agree more. Only a big-minded nation can inspire us to open up in sharing our values and dreams with others and keep citizens deeply rooted in our land. That's what sets us apart. A unique concoction not defined by blood and the belief that anyone from anywhere can help create the next chapter of the Singapore adventure. Let's show the world a little red dot can have a big heart too.
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In the States, immigration is viewed as a chance everyone has to create a future there, to make it their home and to build the country eventually. In Singapore, it is limited to who can contribute to the economy through creating jobs or producing babies. We want these foreign talents.. Only if they are of value. We fear that the influx of foreigners will jeopardize our Singaporean essence. But what is it really, if not one wonderfully mismatched group of immigrants? Different races, religions and cultures coming together, isn't that what made Singapore, Singapore? People from all walks of life striving for better lives in a little red dot.
There are bound to be people who are unfavourable of this opinion and that's okay. Because it's valid that new faces, languages and accents do shake up our young nation's struggle with national identity. And people are always comfortable with familiar things although change is a constant. It is also understandably unfair to compare a superpower with vast land and resources to our tiny city with limited means but the emphasis is on how we can learn to change our attitude towards immigration. And who else to look up to than the one that did it better than us?
We need to stay open to these new faces and identities and the only way to do it is through a bigness of soul. We must stop measuring people based on economic value and accept them for who they are, individuals who may be potential Singaporeans whom we would love to share our nation with. People we want to help succeed together, because they too, will help in building up our country, making it grow better with progress.
Former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew once said:" My definition of a Singaporean, which will make us different from others, is that we accept whoever joins us is part of us.. that must be our defining attribute." I couldn't agree more. Only a big-minded nation can inspire us to open up in sharing our values and dreams with others and keep citizens deeply rooted in our land. That's what sets us apart. A unique concoction not defined by blood and the belief that anyone from anywhere can help create the next chapter of the Singapore adventure. Let's show the world a little red dot can have a big heart too.
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