Vital to keep Singapore colour-blind
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Jul 23, 2010 - S T Forum
Vital to keep S'pore colour-blind
BRAVO to Ms Radha Basu for her stand against bigotry and xenophobia on Tuesday ('Counter anti-foreigner talk').
I am proud to live, work and pay my taxes in Singapore.
I have met many expatriates who tell me they prefer Hong Kong. I always invite them to come down to Singapore for a while. Sure, we have cleaner streets, lower crime and high living standards, but what sets Singapore apart is its status as the most multicultural, diverse and tolerant city in all of Asia.
This is not to say the number of foreign workers should not be carefully monitored, or if necessary, restricted.
Having said that, the presence of foreign workers here should not be used to justify the uglier parts of human nature.
In most parts of the world, bigotry, small-mindedness, ethnic violence and dull monoculturalism are sadly the norm. In many European countries, second generation immigrant children refuse to identify with the land they are born in.
Even in the United States, a history of slavery had created deep racial scars, which are slowly healing.
Former German chancellor Helmut Schmidt once acknowledged Europe's failure to create multicultural societies.
He also mentioned Singapore as the one country where multiculturalism flourishes. Social pluralism is a proud, defining feature of this young, promising country.
We need more of Ms Basu's ideas and experiences in the hearts and minds of every Singaporean - and anyone who wishes to live here.
Eric J. Brooks
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Then again...
'What a country needs is not just talent, but also commitment and loyalty.'
MR REMY TAN: 'The Wharton and Harvard couple mentioned in Ms Radha Basu's commentary on Tuesday ('Counter anti-foreigner talk') want to move to Singapore because Singapore benefits them. It boils down to self-interest. The question is whether they will flee or stay behind to help rebuild Singapore when the going gets desperate. What a country needs is not just talent, but also commitment and loyalty.'
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They are here to make a living, so can't expect loyalty from them.
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i think singaporean generally understand the needs to have foreigners working in Singapore....the question is........." How many is Enough "
Singaporean isn't afraid of Foreigners.....nor not welcome foreigners but there is a limit we are an "Island" not "landlock" or nor the economy the size of the US,......
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Sporean will be happy if everybody got jobs that is reasonable pay and got a roof over our heads and safe.
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Might as well keep Singaporeans blind.
