Muslim family told to leave United Airlines flight for ‘how they looked’

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/muslim-united-airlines-plane-flight-apology-ohare-international-airport-chicago-a6967226.html

The Muslim family were on a United Airlines plane to get to Washington DC and were being kicked out of the plane because they were thought to be dangerous and was a “flight security issue”. Other passengers on the plane said that they did not do anything wrong but yet were still being asked to leave.

Air crew on a United Airlines flight to Washington told the family, who were going on holiday, to leave the plane after the parents asked for an extra safety belt.

The family had brought a booster seat for their youngest daughter on board with the permission of United Airline staff in the airport, but was then told they could not use it.

United Airlines was previously criticised for Islamophobia after another flight attendant refused to give a Muslim passenger a fizzy drink can “in case it was used as a weapon”.

Evidence shows Islamophobia on the rise in the US, with Muslims regarded least favourably out of all religions in a 2014 survey by the Pew Research Centre.

Today, due to the increase in terrorist attacks by ISIS, many have the misconception that all Muslims are alike to them and have the same beliefs. Thus, the have a preconceived notion that they are of no good and will start to discriminate. I feel that it is absurd to kick that Muslim family off the plane due to how they look (and they even have 3 young kids with them and they had to experience and witness such blatant disregard for human rights). More people should be educated that not all Muslims pose a threat and that they should have done a through check before taking any forms of action against that family. Humans are all entitled to our human rights without discrimination and what the United Airlines did deserves to be censured. This might cause social tension between the Americans and the Muslim community.

 

National and ethnic identity

http://themiddleground.sg/2016/01/20/are-you-nationality-first-and-ethnicity-second/

This article explores the interplay between race and nationality that exists within every Singaporean. Singapore is a multicultural community meaning that most Singaporeans also identify as being part of one culture or another alongside their nationality. This is in contrast to, for example, Japan whereby a Japanese person’s nationality and ethnic culture is nearly one in the same. The Law and Home Affairs Minister, Mr K Shanmugam, wants Singaporeans to “remain resolutely ‘us’”. This sentiment presumptively echoes the desires of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew who urged us to always be Singaporeans first. Such a directive was made to unify the nation that was largely ethnically divided. As one myself, I am proud to call myself Singaporean but i largely disagree with the notion that we must be Singaporeans ‘first’. Such a model makes it sound as though we must make a conscious decision to pick one over another. I feel this is unnecessary as it makes us feel that we must lose a part of ourselves to strengthen another part, that our identity is total sum. I feel asking us to be Singaporean first and ethnicity second akin to asking us if we are child first or sibling first. Most are able to exercise both roles fully without being questioned and perhaps if allowed, such a dynamic can be achieved between race and nationality as well.

Teenager dies after trying to retrieve his phone by jumping off 4th story bridge

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/teen-fell-after-ledge-gave-way-under-his-weight

A 17-year-old climbed over the railing on the fourth-storey linkway between Orchard Central and Orchard Gateway yesterday afternoon and placed his feet on a decorative plasterboard casing outside. He was believed to have been trying to retrieve his phone.

In this technology-driven age, many of us own a mobile device. It is sad to see that some people are obsessed with it to the point where they forgo their own safety. It is a common sight nowadays to see people crossing roads with their eyes glued to their phones, without even checking if there are any cars. With regards to this article, a teenager whose phone had dropped onto a ledge ignores his own safety for his phone and vaulted himself off the bridge to retrieve his phone, resulting in his death. Even if the ledge was solid , it was still a very risky move as one misstep could have caused him to fall to his death either ways showing that some people are willing to do extreme things for their phone. I personally think that this obsession with mobile devices is very unhealthy and could lead to dire consequences as seen in this article.

Water price increase dominates Budget forum

Links: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/cost-of-supplying-water-has-more-than-doubled-pub

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/water-price-increase-dominates-budget-forum

Monday(20/02/17) , when Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat announced in his Budget speech that water prices will be raised by 30 per cent to reflect the true costs of supplying water. The hike is the first in 17 years, and will be implemented in two phases: July 1 this year and July 1 next year.

Living in a small country like Singapore do have its benefit like having an efficient government, transport system and education system. However, there is also a downside to it which is the country’s lack of resources. The issue of water shortage in years to come has prompted to government to come up with ways to reduce the impact of water shortage. From the article, it was mentioned that water prices would be raised. There is no doubt for questions to be arised from the public about alternative ways to conserve water in which there would not need to have a raise. I personally feel like with advanced technology, it would be possible in the future but as of now having a raise would be unavoidable. We especially, play an important role to conserve water and to educate the future generations to learn the importance of water and to ensure the continuity of water resources as it is our basic need for survival. Instead of going against the fact that there is a raise in the price of water, coming up with more ways to conserve and generate clean water whilst working with the government to alleviate water resources problem is far more important and valuable to the society.

Singapore adopting new technology

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-can-do-much-more-when-it-comes-to-adopting-new-technology-pm-lee

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is calling for newer technology such as the national digital identity service and integrated network sensors to be adopted quickly. The Smart Nation Programme Office will be set up to spearhead the use of technology and major projects.

I believe that it is a step in the right direction for Singapore as in order for us to stay competitive as a country in entrepreneurship and in productivity, we must keep up with the times. Singapore has few natural resources and relies heavily on technological know how.

 

Effects of New Media – Fake Video of Tuas fire explosion spreads on Social Media

Article: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/fake-video-of-tuas-fire-explosion-spreads-on-social-media

Unlike traditional media, which includes the infamous newspapers and local television news, new media travels fast as speed is the key. Also, another advantage (or in this case its actually a disadvantage) of new media is that anyone can post their opinions and share interesting photos and videos. However if used wrongly, new media can also cause unwanted panic and distress. There was a fake video that was circulating social media sites intensifying the fire that took place at an Eco Special Waste Management in Tuas. The video showed a more extensive explosion than the fire that occured.

The only reason that the video got viral was because maybe some individuals found the more intense explosion of the chemical plant more exciting, while others shared it because of wanting to spread the message (The wrong message apparently.) This clearly shows how the power of media can spread like wildfire and if the wrong messages are spread, there would be disastrous consequence. We should all be responsible 21 Century Citizens and be wary of whatever we chose to share with our followers on our social media and check the reliability of the news as we might be spreading false message or rumours.

Specialities of Singapore

 

• Extremely resourceful and adaptive.
  To a country like Singapore, being open and adapting to circumstances in the world is very important. Singapore do not have much (or any at all for that matter) resources that we can use, thus we really depend a lot on foreign imports and exports to drive our economy. Our Human resource (in the form of talents) is one of the main resource that Singapore can provide. These resources are trained under a carefully thought out meritocratic education model that gives everyone an equal chance of succeeding Through out all the spectrum of ages, there is a variety of opportunities available to equip oneself with new skill sets that enable employment in our workforce, fully maximising and utalising all available resources.
• Responsive Government
  The Singapore Government have proven themselves to be one of the most effective ruling party relative to other countries that responds adequately to changes but are also future looking. Take for example when there was excessive jams in the mornings along the highways, the Singapore Government implemented the Electronic Road Pricing and the Certificate of Entitlement to reduce the number of cars on the roads. Singapore upright and low amounts of corruption Government have many branches that includes preventive measures such as having drills and Total defence events that can help educate the people. The police are also responsive and would arrest people who want to do harm/plan to do harm to our nation, in a way the Government takes the correct prevent measurements to protect our interests and security
• Multi Religious
  Thankfully Singapore also has many cultures and religions that lives in Harmony, this is one thing that not many countries can say they have succeeded in doing. Luckily everyone here have the freedom to believe in whatever they want to and do not need to be afraid of persecution because of our believes. We also need not afraid be afraid of wars but we are ready to face it when war comes to our doorstep.

 

 

Singapore

1. Singlish

Due to the multi-racial society in Singapore, there is a mixture of language when locals communicate with one another. Singaporeans usually communicate with English, along with a hint of other languages added in. This set us apart from others as most countries do not have a multi-racial society, thus they do not have a unique language like Singlish.

2.  Cuisines (food court)

There are a variety of cuisines available in the food courts found in Singapore. They come from different cultural and racial backgrounds of the people in Singapore. Moreover, food courts are also unique to Singapore as it is a place where there is a variety of food sold, unlike in other countries where people have to visit specific restaurants for a specific type of cuisine.

3.  Multiracial

Singapore is a multiracial society consisting mainly of Chinese, Malays, Indians, and Eurasians. This is something unique to Singapore as it is rare to find a county with different religions and races living in harmony and peace. Moreover, many of us have identified ourselves as Singaporeans, rather than the separate racial groups.

 

SINGAPORE

Having lived in Singapore for a number of years,list 3 customs/way of living/social behaviour/values which are unique to our cultural identity. How do these set us apart from our neighbours or counterparts from other nations?

1. Chope Seats with tissue (Custom)                                                                                                    

In Singapore, people use little packet of tissue to reserve, or chope, the table. This is to let other users know that the table is already occupied.

2. Taking off shoes before entering the house. (Way of living)        

This applies to almost every household in Singapore. We don’t wear shoes in the house, so take off your footwear before coming in.

3. Call all older people aunty/uncle (Social Behaviour)

Although we are not related to everyone ,calling older people “aunty” and “uncle” is a sign of respect for our elders.

These 3 customs are unique to our cultural identity  and can mostly be found in Singapore only. They are really uncommon in other countries. For example, in many other countries, many people prefer to wear slippers in their own houses but majority of the household in Singapore do not do this. The calling of any other older people “aunty” or “uncle” is also only used in Singapore. People in other countries tend to call only their relatives “aunty” and “uncle”.

SG

1. We are generally very fast paced.We walk talk at a very fast pace and we usually do not realise that until we travel to other countries and experience the change.
2. Singlish. Its a unique language that is commonly used by all Singaporeans of all races. I feel that Singlish also expresses the racial harmony in Singapore and give us Singaporeans a sense of national identity.
3.  Lastly is how we have the racial quotas in HDB flats. Its unique to SG and a very good policy to improve racial integration and promote racial harmony.