Compromise

I don’t know the biblical basis for compromise but everyone tells me that in our relationships and we disagree, we should come to a compromise if possible. But what happens when both are at extreme opposite ends? What happens when one has to give up a dream in order for the other to have theirs? Can no compromise be reached?

National Day Reflections

I’m sitting here and listening to National Day songs with the Primary School kids across the fence singing along, and not without a hint of nostalgia. The kids are now singing, “This is my country, this is my flag.”

I’m not a Singaporean by nationality. I’m British and a Singapore PR. Yet, because I’ve lived here all my life, I see myself as Singaporean. I always have. I’ve always sung the National Anthem and said the Pledge.

At the recent APRU Summer Programme held here in NUS, I felt this sense of nationalism more keenly than before.

“Reach out for the skies.” (They’re still singing though the music’s been turned off).

People asked me if I was Singaporean and I replied with “technically no, but I’m a Singaporean at heart.”

I was asked about what I thought about the PAP and I honestly said that I think that they’ve done a pretty amazing job considering the brief timeline that is Singapore’s history. Admittedly, civil liberties are not as recognised as many other developed nations. Still, as I explained Singapore’s history to a friend, I realised how much Singapore had gone through in the short 60 years since the end of WWII. I dislike it when people decry the work of Singaporean Leaders simply because we lack civil liberties. One does have to take a balanced view rather than making broad and sweeping generalisations.  On the issue of History, many Singaporeans are bored by what they see as state crafted history. Thankfully, I’ve had good teachers who taught me more about Singaporean History than is usually taught in the textbooks, whether for my EE or in university.

“Semua kita berseru” (rather apt when you’re hearing a group of children singing it in unison).

Some may argue that National Day is just propaganda. At its worst, it is brainwashing yet highly effective propaganda, just looking at the crowds at the National Day Parade will tell you that.  The organisers of the National Day Parade and the practises of National Day are masters at working emotions and pride. At the same time, I do think that Singaporeans are proud of their country. They may be apathetic, but I’ve seen Singaporeans defend their country when others scoff it (usually verbally).

Excuse this stream of consciousness post, but I’m just writing as it comes to me.

To me, this is home and there’s no place I’d rather be.