If intense discussion marks civil society, then I wish this to be an ongoing Conversation. What an exciting year it has been. Last year the government asked for our thoughts. We aren't going to just give the politically-correct answers. We will raise questions too. I'm very conscious when I use 'we'. In this context, 'we' simply represents the ideas and opinions of faeriefolk and intimates, people whom I know well.
2015 is going to be interesting- the nation-state marks half a century of independence, and it's also the crucial time frame before the next General Election. If there's any sort of agenda, then this is it- a Conversation that does not just reflect community norms. There isn't just one community in the country. There are many, and no community should decide social practices or social norms. The rule of law and secularism do that.
Then we must be grateful for the peace in this region. Our independence and current climate of efficiency and peace are hard-won and worth much to defend. No day in 2014 has passed by without the headlines of bombings, war and needless deaths. Gratitude is one thing; to trade it for unquestioning subservience is another. Patriotism is a separate matter.
Icons. We'd love to preserve those that the communities vote for and love; not those that the government deems necessary to aid economic development and how society should flow according to current social policies. If so, then we're doomed to be nothing more than docile economic digits with thoughts that can never be voiced aloud. I'm glad we don't have an insipid National Day song for 2014. No song. Zero songs. Hurrah to Lush 99.5FM playing nothing but music by Singapore artists today.
Happy 49th, Singapore.
2015 is going to be interesting- the nation-state marks half a century of independence, and it's also the crucial time frame before the next General Election. If there's any sort of agenda, then this is it- a Conversation that does not just reflect community norms. There isn't just one community in the country. There are many, and no community should decide social practices or social norms. The rule of law and secularism do that.
Then we must be grateful for the peace in this region. Our independence and current climate of efficiency and peace are hard-won and worth much to defend. No day in 2014 has passed by without the headlines of bombings, war and needless deaths. Gratitude is one thing; to trade it for unquestioning subservience is another. Patriotism is a separate matter.
Icons. We'd love to preserve those that the communities vote for and love; not those that the government deems necessary to aid economic development and how society should flow according to current social policies. If so, then we're doomed to be nothing more than docile economic digits with thoughts that can never be voiced aloud. I'm glad we don't have an insipid National Day song for 2014. No song. Zero songs. Hurrah to Lush 99.5FM playing nothing but music by Singapore artists today.
Happy 49th, Singapore.
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| 'One Singapore', Singapore Icons. By Democratic Society X Kihara. Designed by Pearlyn Sim and Lim Ting. |
2 comments:
That plate looks awesome!
it is! full icons for everyone. heh. Great as a serving plate. Was tellng ame that she could do a fruit platter on it,
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