Some Musings

It's really not easy being a homosexual. (No I'm not referring to myself!)

I was having a discussion with a friend yesterday and we agreed that its not a choice. That I already came to understand a long time ago. What my friend did was put another perspective to things - that sometimes, not allowing gay rights (or other rights, for that matter) is not always to be construed as a sign of intolerence. It could be circumstances that are unfortunate; the cost of implementing a new policy, including that of dealing with the predictable negative public sentiment, might far outweigh the benefits, as only a small section of the population benefit.

Sounds cold and calculated? Perhaps, but neither am I saying it necessarily completely justifies not implementing it. It is just a constraint the government has to work within, which should be appreciated. In the name of objective debate.

While there are homosexuals who fight for their rights, I also know of some who believe that the government should not allow gay rights. The reason? Someone told me that the repercussions would be humongous, which is unfair on the rest of the population. By bringing attention to them, some homosexuals might be inclined to remain undercover because of the negative hype. Society suffers in different ways - such as the older population who might not understand it, or parents who worry for their children (that's only natural), and schools having to decide what they would allow.

To have a homosexual espouse a view like that, that is true objectivity. Constructed criticism- even if he/she believes that gay rights must be allowed at this point, I respect the ability to step out of one's own shoes, and recognize the multi-faceted issues surrounding this topic, the many stakeholders who stand to win/lose.

As someone dear told me, it's okay to criticise, but not acceptable to slam. What's the difference? (and what comes its my understanding, which I have no confidence whether can be validated by the technicalities of the english language.) I'd say that criticism requires a measure of objectivity, and genuine consideration of all the issues, whereas slamming is merely words borne out of a lack of clear-headed thought - something narrowminded, commonly self centered, arising out of one's OWN stakes in the issue.

I've known Singaporeans who attack the government for not allowing gay rights, using it as another example of the lack of freedom of speech and equal treatment for all. And yet, in their daily lives, they slam homoesexuals, and berate them. Such hypocrisy, to me, is intolerence - intolerence of policymakers and the difficulties they work within.

On a separate issue, I was very happy for the table tennis team yesterday. However, my mum told me that some Singaporeans early said, 'They better not win, for they only take our taxpayers money. Why should foreigners take our money?'

Sorry, but that is a darn stupid (stew-pid!) point of view in my humble opinion.

I can accept the view that the fact that the paddlers were 'imported' reduces the glory of Singapore's win in some way, but money is a separate issue. This players deserve to be paid and rewarded. After all, this is their job, and they have worked hard to fulfill their responsibilities. They deserve every cent they were promised.

Okay, the real issue for many is that they are paid with OUR money, right? I don't subscribe to that either. At the end of the day, some Singaporeans also go work abroad, and are paid with OTHER peoples' money. We ourseves (and everyone does) 'steal' the money of others in different ways - encouraging tourism, selling our services overseas etc. At the end of the day, its simple economics. Nothing comes from nothing, and so our money would have to come from somewhere, elsewhere. Its a fact of life.

So I say the Singapore paddlers deserve their win, and their reward. The slogan for the Beijing Olympics is 'One World, One Dream'. Each and every sportsmen there on the competition, whichever country he comes from, at the end of the day, fights for himself, to make a mark for himself. So lets give our respect for those who prevail under pressure and make their mark, shall we?

Nevertheless, neither do I sit high in an ivory tower, allowing me to oversee everything on the ground, all around. I do not claim that my views are completely objective, and right, or even the closest to being right.

Let me end here, so that I may have time to muse more over whether I have truly thought about every facet of the issues raised. With more insight, I might sing a different tune in time to come. Who ever knows what's right? We can only learn to respect.