My Thesis: Racial Harmony Day does not do enough to sensitize students to racial issues
Good Afternoon Mr Lundberg and fellow classmates. I am Chng Ren Kai and today I am going to discuss about Racial Harmony Day's effectiveness in sensitizing students to racial issues.
Racial Harmony Day is celebrated once annually, on the 21st July. It introduces us to other races', and supposedly allows us to understand them better. This is done so as to prevent conflicts between races, in conjunction with the racial riots on this same day, in 1964. However, I feel that Racial Harmony Day does not do enough to sensitise students to racial issues.
Racial Harmony Day is frequently celebrated in the form of concerts. These concerts are usually a dance or a musical from another race. Although these concerts allow students to be introduced to other races, ultimately, it does not aid in teaching racial issues to students. Personally, I feel that such dances may even have an adverse effect. There were a few times where I saw students mocking another races' dance, after watching the performance. This totally defeats the purpose of having concerts as the actual meaning behind the dance is not to taught to students. This is a huge factor behind why I feel Racial Harmony Day is ineffective in sensitizing students to racial issues.
Another common event which I have encountered in my Primary School and Secondary School is the presence of a multi-cultural bazaar. I do acknowledge that this bazaars allow one to understand another race, through the food or games prepared. However, I believe that this may be ineffective. This is because most students merely prepare this food and games, for the sake of doing it. They do not understand what they were preparing and the meaning behind it. A recent example was during the Racial Harmony Day 2011 bazaar. I encountered a game booth with a very interesting gameplay. When I asked how this exciting game originated, the game vendors were confused. The only thing they could tell me was that this game originated from India. This once again shows that merely doing but not understanding does not help students in being sensitive to racial issues.
From my previous two experiences, it should be evident that the current structure of Racial Harmony Day does not do much in educating students on racial issues. Now, you will ask, then what is a good Racial Harmony Day. In my opinion, a good Racial Harmony Day has to engage the student, such that they get interested. Examples are entertaining video games, quizzes with attractive prizes, activities with friends etc. This mediums would definitely attract students, and in my opinion, would sensitize students to racial issues.
Once again, I would like to reinstate my point, that the current Racial Harmony Day does not do enough in sensitizing students to racial issues. Thank You.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
T3 Blog Prompt #7
If I were Antonio, I would have loaned Bassanio the money just like Antonio did. This is because Bassanio was a young man and a loyal friend. However, i might not loan him the money as Bassanio was a spendthrift and squanders away money.
Firstly, I would lend Bassanio the money as he was a young man and wanting to go to Belmont to woo Portia is not wrong. Since Bassanio needed money and I had it, I would not mind loaning him the money if it gives him a better future. Hence, I would loan Bassanio the money just like Antonio did.
Secondly, I would loan Bassanio the money as he was a very close and loyal friend. Since I had known him for years, loaning him money for a good cause is something that I should do. Furthermore, in past experiences when I loaned him money, he had never failed to pay me back, once again given me more reason to loan him the money. As such, I would loan Bassanio the money.
Lastly, on the other hand, I may not loan Bassanio the money. This was because Bassanio was a spendthrift and squander money away quickly. Even if he had returned the money to me, it would still have a detrimental effect on Bassanio as he would think that money would come easily for him and not work hard for it. As a very good friend of him, I would want the best for him and inculcate the habit of reaping what you sow into Bassanio. As such, I may not loan Bassanio the money.
In conclusion, I would loan Bassanio the money as he was a young man with a promising future and a very close and loyal friend.
Firstly, I would lend Bassanio the money as he was a young man and wanting to go to Belmont to woo Portia is not wrong. Since Bassanio needed money and I had it, I would not mind loaning him the money if it gives him a better future. Hence, I would loan Bassanio the money just like Antonio did.
Secondly, I would loan Bassanio the money as he was a very close and loyal friend. Since I had known him for years, loaning him money for a good cause is something that I should do. Furthermore, in past experiences when I loaned him money, he had never failed to pay me back, once again given me more reason to loan him the money. As such, I would loan Bassanio the money.
Lastly, on the other hand, I may not loan Bassanio the money. This was because Bassanio was a spendthrift and squander money away quickly. Even if he had returned the money to me, it would still have a detrimental effect on Bassanio as he would think that money would come easily for him and not work hard for it. As a very good friend of him, I would want the best for him and inculcate the habit of reaping what you sow into Bassanio. As such, I may not loan Bassanio the money.
In conclusion, I would loan Bassanio the money as he was a young man with a promising future and a very close and loyal friend.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
What are the negative consequences of Apple's decision
Apple has refused to introduce the iTunes Music Store in Singapore, despite several requests by Singaporeans. Their main concern is the rampant piracy in Asia. Although this might have a short-term benefit in Singapore, I believe that there would be a long term detrimental effect on Apple,
Firstly, Apple would suffer a great profit loss because of not introducing the iTunes Music Store in Singapore. This because Asia, being the most densely populated continent, would have a great number of potential customers. Although there are a number of pirater, there would be an overall profit for Apple. This would be a great and significant loss of profit for Apple.
Secondly, Apple would lose trust from Singaporeans. By stating that Asia has rampant piracy, it is accusing Singaporeans of engaging in piracy. This is a very critical accusation as Singapore is known for its low crime rate and low piracy-engagement rate. By accusing Singapore, Singaporeans would be bound to develop hatred towards Apple, and strain their customer relationship.
However, Apple would also stand to gain from this decision. This decision shows that Apple are strict towards piracy and do not condone any form of it. This gives customers assurance that the company they are clients of have high standards and their credentials would not be compromised.
In conclusion, I believe that Apple refusing to introduce the iTunes Music Store in Singapore has more cons than pros.
Firstly, Apple would suffer a great profit loss because of not introducing the iTunes Music Store in Singapore. This because Asia, being the most densely populated continent, would have a great number of potential customers. Although there are a number of pirater, there would be an overall profit for Apple. This would be a great and significant loss of profit for Apple.
Secondly, Apple would lose trust from Singaporeans. By stating that Asia has rampant piracy, it is accusing Singaporeans of engaging in piracy. This is a very critical accusation as Singapore is known for its low crime rate and low piracy-engagement rate. By accusing Singapore, Singaporeans would be bound to develop hatred towards Apple, and strain their customer relationship.
However, Apple would also stand to gain from this decision. This decision shows that Apple are strict towards piracy and do not condone any form of it. This gives customers assurance that the company they are clients of have high standards and their credentials would not be compromised.
In conclusion, I believe that Apple refusing to introduce the iTunes Music Store in Singapore has more cons than pros.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Narrative prose, without adjectives.
"Hey you!" I heard a yell towards my direction. I turned around and saw a youngster glaring at me. I was frightened while he menaced at me. He stepped towards me, and I broke out in sweat.
"Give me your phone!" He blurted at me. I was stunned for a moment. I shook my head and refused to oblige. The youngster glared at me for a second, and then lost his cool. He charged at me swiftly, and delivered a punch into my cheek. I fell backwards, dazed by the impact. My cheek was engulfed in pain. I felt like I was about to die... Then all became dark.
Where was I? I thought to myself. I woke up on a bed, in a place familiar to me. I could hear birds chirping and trees rustling. Suddenly, I heard footsteps. It was coming closer towards me. I panicked, a my memory of my previous experience flashed through my mind. I saw the silhouette of a person. I screamed out loud in terror. Then, I realised it was my mother.
She then told me what had happened. It turned out that it was a just a dream. However, my phone was nowhere to be found. Till this day, I am still unable to explain this circumstance...
"Give me your phone!" He blurted at me. I was stunned for a moment. I shook my head and refused to oblige. The youngster glared at me for a second, and then lost his cool. He charged at me swiftly, and delivered a punch into my cheek. I fell backwards, dazed by the impact. My cheek was engulfed in pain. I felt like I was about to die... Then all became dark.
Where was I? I thought to myself. I woke up on a bed, in a place familiar to me. I could hear birds chirping and trees rustling. Suddenly, I heard footsteps. It was coming closer towards me. I panicked, a my memory of my previous experience flashed through my mind. I saw the silhouette of a person. I screamed out loud in terror. Then, I realised it was my mother.
She then told me what had happened. It turned out that it was a just a dream. However, my phone was nowhere to be found. Till this day, I am still unable to explain this circumstance...
Thursday, July 7, 2011
In-class Online Lesson 9 (R&R War Poetry)
Passage A:
1. They are describing Cannons.
2. These "jackies" are common sailers, who served during the war-time. The sailors are singing war chanties because they came out victorious in a war.
3. “The shovel is brother to the gun” means to say that war and death are connected inevitably. The "shovel" represents Death, while the "gun" represents War. Sandburg wants to tell, through the poem, that war will inevitably lead to deaths.
Passage B:
4. It is to show how easily the soldiers and the citizens obey each other in the midst of war. As stanza 1 shows war in destruction and seriousness, shows how the soldiers destroy the citizen’s living area. While in stanza 2, it shows the hopeful side, as the soldiers sees the citizens having to rebuild the city they have lost in the midst of war.
5. The contrasting actions make the poem have 2 different sides, tones and point of view. The first stanza shows seriousness, while the second shows hope. The author’s attitude towards the soldiers are that they are only made for war, which he does not approve of, which also shows a negative attitude towards them. But the author’s attitude towards the citizens is mainly positive, showing how they rebuilding what seems not to be the first time.
6. I think its harder to build everything up again. This is because to destroy, not much effort is needed to destroy, but to build back up something is very difficult because no matter how hard someone tries to put back everything together, it will never be the same again. An example is the recent japan earthquakes. The tallest and strongest buildings all came down within a few minutes, and this shows how easily things are destroyed, and how hard it is to build everything up again.
Passage C:
7. The onomatopoeia represents new machines that no longer use motors anymore, yet to be invented by scientist, deadlier, stronger, better, faster.
8. Gaddafi is a good example. Previously he used to rule a lot of people and everyone had to follow his orders. But recently after a few days of rioting, he has fallen and now is wanted by the police. This is because the people had enough of him and does not approve of his style of ruling.
1. They are describing Cannons.
2. These "jackies" are common sailers, who served during the war-time. The sailors are singing war chanties because they came out victorious in a war.
3. “The shovel is brother to the gun” means to say that war and death are connected inevitably. The "shovel" represents Death, while the "gun" represents War. Sandburg wants to tell, through the poem, that war will inevitably lead to deaths.
Passage B:
4. It is to show how easily the soldiers and the citizens obey each other in the midst of war. As stanza 1 shows war in destruction and seriousness, shows how the soldiers destroy the citizen’s living area. While in stanza 2, it shows the hopeful side, as the soldiers sees the citizens having to rebuild the city they have lost in the midst of war.
5. The contrasting actions make the poem have 2 different sides, tones and point of view. The first stanza shows seriousness, while the second shows hope. The author’s attitude towards the soldiers are that they are only made for war, which he does not approve of, which also shows a negative attitude towards them. But the author’s attitude towards the citizens is mainly positive, showing how they rebuilding what seems not to be the first time.
6. I think its harder to build everything up again. This is because to destroy, not much effort is needed to destroy, but to build back up something is very difficult because no matter how hard someone tries to put back everything together, it will never be the same again. An example is the recent japan earthquakes. The tallest and strongest buildings all came down within a few minutes, and this shows how easily things are destroyed, and how hard it is to build everything up again.
Passage C:
7. The onomatopoeia represents new machines that no longer use motors anymore, yet to be invented by scientist, deadlier, stronger, better, faster.
8. Gaddafi is a good example. Previously he used to rule a lot of people and everyone had to follow his orders. But recently after a few days of rioting, he has fallen and now is wanted by the police. This is because the people had enough of him and does not approve of his style of ruling.
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