as much as i believe in freedom of speech (and opinion), perhaps a whole lot of it should be kept to ourselves, especially on religion. the cartoon episode resulting in a confrontation between european and islamic values is really getting out of hand!
growing up in singapore has thought me (and hopefully our people) the importance of tolerance and appreciation of another culture and/or religion. yet, travelling since young and studying overseas has made me realise how passive some asian values unintendingly make us become. we are indeed very pampered on our tiny little island.
naturally, it is utopian to expect immigrants to be tabula rasas or blank pages upon arrival into a western country, but the choice for them to live in a european nation requires a lot of filtering of traditions and norms in order to live in harmony with the existing boundaries of humanitarian rights that europe is so famous for and freedom which is deeply valued. the need to understand that satire and parady is 'constructive' criticism, and the importance of being critical about one's self and culture.
on the flip side, there is a general lack of respect in europe - the place where the individual is above all. perhaps this is one of the few facets of europe i cannot understand, and therefore, tolerate. the other being indoor smoking (ugh). but ego-centrism aside, i find that most europeans are generally tolerant and even accepting of new cultures and peoples. perhaps victimisation is the new defence -cum-offence, seeded in historical and cultural clashes.
the cartoon has become insignificant compared to the situation at hand, yet it represents not only the confrontation of islamic and european values, but the lack of understanding on both sides. perhaps the lack of humour as well.
who will get the last laugh?
growing up in singapore has thought me (and hopefully our people) the importance of tolerance and appreciation of another culture and/or religion. yet, travelling since young and studying overseas has made me realise how passive some asian values unintendingly make us become. we are indeed very pampered on our tiny little island.
naturally, it is utopian to expect immigrants to be tabula rasas or blank pages upon arrival into a western country, but the choice for them to live in a european nation requires a lot of filtering of traditions and norms in order to live in harmony with the existing boundaries of humanitarian rights that europe is so famous for and freedom which is deeply valued. the need to understand that satire and parady is 'constructive' criticism, and the importance of being critical about one's self and culture.
on the flip side, there is a general lack of respect in europe - the place where the individual is above all. perhaps this is one of the few facets of europe i cannot understand, and therefore, tolerate. the other being indoor smoking (ugh). but ego-centrism aside, i find that most europeans are generally tolerant and even accepting of new cultures and peoples. perhaps victimisation is the new defence -cum-offence, seeded in historical and cultural clashes.
the cartoon has become insignificant compared to the situation at hand, yet it represents not only the confrontation of islamic and european values, but the lack of understanding on both sides. perhaps the lack of humour as well.
who will get the last laugh?
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