Blog Post 19 - Short Letter to Editor of Straits Times

Dear editor of Straits Times,

I would like to comment on what Singaporeans can learn from the recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami, and whether we as a nation possess what it takes to handle a similar crisis.

Firstly, I feel that Singapore have to be strong in times of such a crisis. We must be strong enough to stand up again. We also have to be ready at all times and not give in to our feelings. We have to focus on saving the survivors, as that is the top prirority.

Next, I feel that we as a nation possess what it takes to handle a similar crisis. i feel that Singaporeans are extremely united, and we will be able to face such a crisis bravely. We are all strong-minded and we will not give up so easily. We will try our very best to rebuild the nation with our heart and soul.

Yours Sincerely,
Etienne

Blog Post 18 - Literature

To me, literature is an art and beauty of words. Writers make use of literature to convey their feelings and expressions. Literature is very meaningful to me because I feel that one is able to express his thoughts freely while writing. Reading and understanding poems allow us to feel what the authors are thinking, and we might have our own opinions which may differ from the author’s thinking. Literature is significant to me as it helps me to understand people better. I can understand other people’s opinions and point of view. Literature allows me to think about pros and cons of ideas. I love literature because I can appreciate the beauty of writing.

Term 2 LA ACE Blog Post 2 - Racism

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1. In my opinion, I feel that there is more that can be done to combat racism. In many parts of the world, racism still exists but not much is done to curb the problem. In those places, the whites treat the Negroes really badly. They torture the Negro slaves cruelly and mercilessly. However, nobody tries to stop the whites from doing so but instead encourage their unacceptable behaviour.

To me, racism is something that cannot be tolerated. I feel that we should treat everyone equally. Everyone have equal rights, why should we discriminate people with different skin colours and races? I believe that more can be done other than racial harmony day. We have to stop racism at all costs. Therefore, I feel that not enough is done to combat racism.

2. I feel that there can be a campaign to curb racism in Singapore. Instead of having racial harmony day once per year, we can also have other campaigns to promote racial harmony. As Singaporeans, we should also play a part against racism. We should all interact with people of all races and not discriminate other races.

I feel that the best way to stop racism is to control ourselves. We should all try to make friends of other races and understand their culture better, so that we will not despise them. We must respect all races because everyone is equal, regardless of language, race or religion.

Term 2 LA ACE Blog Post 1 - Recent CIP Experience

On the 21st of March 2011, my class went on a CIP to St. Andrew's Cathedral, Home for the Aged, to interact with the old folks. At the old folks home, we sang some songs for the old folks and chatted with them. It was really fun to interact with the elderly and get to understand more about them.

This was an extremely meaningful experience for me. I learnt that the society was neglecting the old folks and shunning them away. After speaking with the elderly, I got to know that many of them felt really lonely. The elderly told me that they really wish to see their children again, and I can sympathise with them. All parents love their children dearly and I am sure the elderly will miss their children a lot. I really hope that their children can afford to take some time out of their busy schedule to visit their parents at the old folks' home.

The biggest thing I gained from this experience is that we should all be filial to our parents and perform our duty of taking good care of them in future. After all our parents have done for us, it is only right that we look after them well in future, and not abandon them by putting them in the old folks' home care. I also learnt how to show care and concern for the elderly.

I really enjoyed this CIP and I hope to attend more of them in future.

LA ACE Blog Post 11 - What I Learnt From Mississippi Burning

I feel that the movie Mississippi Burning is a very interesting movie which has taught me many things. From the movie, I learnt that the Mississippi people in the past were racist and they discriminate the Negroes. The whites do not even respect the Negroes' human rights and do not treat them like humans. Instead, they treated the Negroes cruelly and badly, and tortured and abused the Negroes. The police force there were even more evil than the normal civilians there. The Ku Klux Klan burnt the Negroes' houses and killed Negroes mercilessly, but the law did nothing to punish them.

Luckily, the 2 FBI officers from Washington DC respected the Negroes' rights and treated them equally like the whites. They tried to help the Negroes have a better life but due to the biasedness of Mississippi, there was very little things which the FBI officers could do to help the Negroes escape from their suffering.

To me, I feel that everyone should be treated the same, regardless of race, nationality or religion etc. I also feel that law enforcers should be fair and not biased. The Mississippians should put themselves in the Negroes' shoes. I believe that the Mississippians would not enjoy being tortured and treated like animals. The Negroes are innocent and did not offend anyone but people just burn down their houses and kill them just because of their skin colour. I feel that the Mississippians are going overboard and I hope that they can stop being so cruel and evil. They would surely get their retribution if they continue behaving in this manner.