I am sure that it is a story that many of us have heard of since childhood.
The moral of the story is to broaden our perspectives. To learn to ask questions, to understand that what we believe to be the world might not even be close. We are to leap out of our comfort zones and explore.
I have always wanted an overseas education. Perhaps because I am already so biased - Dad went overseas, why not me? Or probably because I have heard enough to see the importance of exposing myself to more than just a sunny island.
If there is one thing I have observed about the Singaporeans here, it is that they are patriotic. To the point of being blndly so.
I still remember the incident where a visiting lecturer criticised our health systems and awaited our rebuttal - the representative gave something totally out of point. I also remember reading the blogs of the Singaporeans during the elections - it was always supportive to the PAP, even though they listed the many pitfalls, they choose to ignore it when making a conclusion.
How anyone can see but not
see baffles me.
It is almost as if we are afraid. We do not dare to try what is different and what is new. We are spoonfed, from Primary School to University; from Work till Death. Our government is like a god, manipulating us; and unfortunately, we are his blind followers - those who question are viewed as heretics and outcasts.
Our perspectives are so one-dimensional at times. We choose what we want to believe, and ignore what we feel is the ugly truth.
I feel sad for these people at times.
Really, coming overseas is to allow you to see that what is different and is an improvement can work - if only we have the guts to try. We each have reasons to be patriotic, but let them not be due to gratitude or history; let it be because our love for the country is founded in firm reason.
Ours is an insular society; too bad old habits die hard. The Singaporeans still like to crowd together and move as a contingent of 25 people. Do they have any idea what sort of picture they are portraying? Even if you do not care what others think, do you realise that it has ramifications beyond your image?
I came to learn. And I will continue to.
What I don't get is why some people choose to stay blind when they obviously have eyes; and why they abandon reason when they are brillant people.
Patriotism is an honour; being a slave to one man's ideas is not. The distinction is there, you choose whether or not to see it.
