My Reflections from Nickel and Dimed 51-119 – QTPC Assignment XXI

Quotation

 

“ I used to stop on my way home from work, but I couldn’t take the stares, which are easily translatable into: What are you doing here? And, no wonder she’s poor, she’s got a beer in her shopping cart!” Nickel and Dimed pg 100

___________________________________________________________

Talking Point

 

How have we, at some point in time, been stereotypical in our response to those around us? How often do we judge others by appearance or skin color? How would a world of “pure races” be? (for example Hitler’s Germany but with a few other races as pure and others as not)

___________________________________________________________

Connection

 

It is hard to believe the more civilized we get, the wider the divides in life. Divides of race and color, divides in beliefs. Divides in morals and divides in equality (or our stand on it).

 

Looking into the future, Huxley (in Brave New World) showed us a system in which we are defined to be of certain traits at birth and stayed that way. Theoretically, that would be the most ideal system to live in. For one, there would always be those who served the upper class (middle and lower class) and if they were taught not to compare, they would have no problems doing what they were “made to do”.

 

The question arises that, is that a truly utopian world? We claim to become more and more civilized, yet, we find ourselves elevating our status to a point where we can look down on those who do the jobs we do not want to do. As those in the fortunate classes, why do we view them differently?

 

There is a stand that, by the record, the percentage of such people committing crimes or having alcohol or drug problems are higher, but that does not give us the right to judge does it? Is everyone homogenous? In Brave New World, everyone in the lower castes were truly homogenous, however, this is not the case for us, and even in Huxley’s classic, we see that even such an advanced civilization still cannot come to terms with the fact that everyone was born of the same species, regardless of decent. One’s life is molded very much by one’s upbringing yes, but do the other layers of society not deserve a chance to be given a chance to be seen on par with those around them?

 

We should make this one of our goals as we move forward and progress every year, every decade, every centaury. May we not treat others as savages or look upon others with disgust or concluding that they misbehave or cannot live up to your expectations just because they are of a different color, or look different in any way.

My Reflections from Nickel and Dimed – QTPC Assignment XX

Quotation

 

“ … ‘The break room – it’s disgusting. Butts in the ashtrays, newspapers lying around, crumbs.’ This… is where we stash our bags and civilian clothes and take out half-hour breaks. But the break room is not a right, he tells us, it can be taken away.”

_________________________________________________________

Talking Point

 

Think of a time when you had your freedom restricted or had been disciplined about a petty issue. It may be something as simple as the constant nagging of your mother. Did you have the urge to speak up and talk back? Assume you may not talk back to your superior. How would you feel?

_________________________________________________________

Connection

 

I have full experience of this in the Armed Forces. It was very humbling to come from being a scholar to be given a desk job (as a Admin Support Assistant) due to a dislocating shoulder. We were treated the exact same way Barbara was treated in the above example. The bigger irony is that she used the words civilian clothes that we also had to hide from our superiors during office hours.

 

Even from the very beginning as Barbara described the fact that she was overqualified for the jobs she was looking for, the feelings and emotions she was going through resonated within me as I drew the exact parallels with her in the book. I had just clinched one of the most prestigious scholarships in Singapore to read Aeronautical Engineering at any renowned college in the world and whilst going through army was all ready to be elected as an officer cadet for command school. The only difference is that Barbara had a choice and I did not. My lose shoulder proved to be the end of my dreams as I was given a desk job amidst my recovery from a shoulder incident that occurred during basic training.

 

As a commander, I would have been the ones disciplining the men. I would have been the one telling them that the place was too dirty and questioning them why the work was not done up to standard. Somehow or rather, the roles were changed and I was at the other end of the stick, getting all the harsh lashings and the earfuls of sorrow.

 

In a sense, it was a good thing. I now know how it feels to be right at the bottom of the food chain. I understand how it feels like to do your best and have your boss come over and scrutinize everything you do just to find fault at you.

 

These humbling 2 years have taught me how to treat my future employees and have definitely been 2 years I will not forget.

My Reflections from When the Levees Broke Act 3-II QTPC Assignment XIX

Quotation

 

“… Did the hurricane (Katrina) come in and blow away their homes, their possessions and their citizenship as well?”

__________________________________________________________

Talking Point

 

The equality of a nation rests not only in the hands of the government, but also on its people. In earlier QTPCs we discussed that human nature is naturally selfish and self defending. How do you think these ideas tie in with those in Savage Inequalities and Hurricane Katrina? Explain your reasoning and what you would do to change the world beginning with yourself.

__________________________________________________________

Connection

 

I must say I am very blessed to come from a country that lives in harmony. In many ways we have known such peace that we fail to appreciate the situation around us (globally) sometimes.

 

Education in Singapore was equal since the very beginning. Everyone had an opportunity to climb to the top. Racially, schools adopted a zero biased system and financially, the government used taxes to pay for education. Such was the education in Singapore. We did not know what living life was without the financial capability to fund education nor did we know poverty or the welfare system. Policy planning is so good that everyone in Singapore is able to make a living. Needy families are also support monetarily based on the child’s performance in school and bursaries and scholarship are awarded even at the primary (directly after kindergarten) level. Hence, parents do not have to worry about schooling as long as the child performs well (meritocratic society).

 

The sad thing is that as we live in such a system, the schools in “Savage Inequalities” are almost unimaginable. Page after page of agonizing text shows how we as humans only care for our own children and their well being. There is a sense of selfishness when it comes to the whites treating the poorer blacks in various cities in the book, pushing them to outskirts or centralized areas that are populated by these “poorer” people.

 

These parallels with the victims of hurricane Katrina bear a striking resemblance. Somehow, it seems that moving poorer citizens to certain areas is common place in America. This unsightly fact has been hidden from the world so well that America is still praised by and by for taking care of its citizens and helping those in oppression and need. Is it too late to change? Maybe, maybe not. It depends on the administration. Change will be hard as it means changing a mentality common to the citizens of the US for years. Questions will be raised about why taxes should go into funding those who do not deserve it, riots and strikes can be foresee, but this one off move has to be made in order to bring equality to this land. The first step is needed, no matter how hard, to change mindsets and move hearts.

My Reflections from When the Levees Broke Act 3 QTPC Assignment XVIII

Quotation

“… Separation during the evacuation when people lost scent and sight and sound of their loved ones…”

_________________________________________________________

Talking Point

Imagine being torn apart from your family and those close to heart. We all know how that feels. But for those who tear us away from our loved ones, how do they feel? How do you think you would feel if you were tearing someone elses family apart for apparent necessary or good causes?

_________________________________________________________

Connection

One would think this quotation would be taken out of “Maus” or some wartime story. It is so easy to relate separation during adversity with war and unrest. Yet if we take a step back we get to see the bigger question, the question that stings when you think about it. It is the question about what is necessary and what is not and more importantly, how those executing the commands feel when they separate others.

I cannot help but to feel the connection between this scene and Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”. Somehow, the way the soldiers were treating the citizens of New Orleans was that of the “civilized” treating the savages in Brave New World. Sure the soldiers do not treat them as outcasts but the way the citizens were treated (brutally) and forced into doing the will of the army (board buses, dividing of families).

The shocking fact that a soldier actually did not permit letting a man go back and retrieve the body of his dead mother was awfully saddening to me. Soldiers were given orders to get everyone on buses orderly and the man was ordered not to turn around the get his mother but rather to board the buses. But what duty does the son have to his mother? Does the son not see to it that his mother gets a decent burial?

I wonder how the soldier felt when he was instructing the man not to turn around. Did he feel for the man? Was his resolve to get the situation going more than that of the morals of the man? Did he know the feeling of leaving behind with last respects?

Maybe it was the conditioning of the army that hardened his heart, or maybe he simply did not know. Maybe he felt the pain that the man was going through but was more afraid of going against his authority than going with his heart. Maybe the army had other plans which were mission and time critical so he had no choice but to comply.

The sad part of this, is that it’s all maybes.

My Reflections from When the Levees Broke Act 2 QTPC Assignment XVII

Quotation

“Usually, disasters like these bring out the best in people…”

________________________________________________________

Talking Point

Some of the most mild-mannered people turn into selfish and unloving persons under pressure or oppression. Why do people tend to behave differently under such circumstances? Are humans different from animals if we are all governed by the rule of “survival of the fittest”?

________________________________________________________

Connection

During World War Two, Hitler’s reign over the Jews was a shocking atrocity. His treatment towards them was ruthless and inhuman to say the least and even animals were treated better than they were. However, in such times of despair for the Jews, the best was not brought out in the other races surrounding them, instead, some chose to add oil to Hitler’s fire and use this opportunity for dominion over the Jews.

The Poles were a very good example. Working with Hitler and against the Jews, very few of them saw the Jewish population as human and helped them. They worked for the Nazis and sold the Jews out to the Germans. This is best seen (and hence my connection) in Maus I & II. In both cases, though there were certain Poles who did help Speigelman’s father (author of the book and a Jew) there were many others who put him through much hardship and suffering during the period of Hitler’s rule.

Why is it, then, so hard to believe that people would resort to violence and unrest in a time during hurricane Katrina? The citizens of New Orleans were under oppression this time not by the government or a group of people, but rather Mother Nature.

It is in these circumstances, when we feel that it is only human to help those around us, our true self often shows. When put to the test, we often fall short of showing the distinction humans have above animals. More often than not, we find ourselves far from our usual civilized and cultured ways in a competitive environment but even more so as the intensity of what is at stake increases.

Of course, this would be too short to allow a full discussion on the topic and give balanced views but we cannot ignore the fact that humans tend to be tempted to care for oneself before caring for others. This intrinsic fact is clouded and shaded by years of teaching and conditions of moral values, but surfaces when situations tear us apart mentally, physically and emotionally.

My Reflections from When the Levees Broke Act 1 QTPC Assignment XVI

Quotation

“… and just at about 2:30 in the morning, it got rough”

___________________________________________________

Talking Point

Have you been warned of a situation and thought that it was completely absurd? How do you think this changes should the atrocity really occur?

___________________________________________________

Connection

In Disgrace, the main character, David, was obviously the sort who thinks deeply and has had much experience with humans and interactions with them.

My connection is that David, being a professor and full of humanly knowledge, knew full well that sleeping with his student would have startling ramifications later, however, he chose to ignore them. This is evident time and time again when he speaks to himself in his mind, a soliloquy of rebellion between his distinction from right and wrong.

The outcome is a tragedy that plays out in David’s life, casuing him to lose everything and move away from his comfort zone.

In Act 1 of “When the Levees Broke”, we slowly see how this idea of nonchalance to what is important is always suppressed by what seems urgent at the moment. In David’s case, it was instant gratification, an urgent need for a human being (I’m sure he would define it that way), leaving the importance of morality out of the picture. In the case of New Orleans, a similar case of this sort of mentality is observed. The importance of reinforcing the dams is overshadowed by other developments which were not touched on, but presumably other investments which would bring more returns for New Orleans.

As humans, we realize that time and time again, we bow to the tyranny of urgency. More often than not, we find ourselves looking and knowing at what is important but suppressing it because other “more urgent” matters cloud our outlook on the situation at hand (and hence our actions taken towards it). We are all but human when it comes to this fallacy but focusing on the important and taking a step back always seems to pay off much better in the future, than at present.

My Reflections from Savage Inequalities 133 – 237 QTPC Assignment XV

Quotation

“If you’re black you have to understand – white people would destroy their schools before they’d let our children sit beside their children.” Savage Inequalities pg 185

___________________________________________________________________

Talking Point

We may not face persecution the way we did in World War Two. Events such as the holocaust seem so distant and foreign to us and we believe that we are now a much more civilized race than we were back then in 1945. But are we? Do you see other instances in the current society in this very country of prosperity and global fame that would remind you of the past injustice brought about on mankind by fellow humans?

___________________________________________________________________

Connection

As I was reading Savage Inequalities, images from Spigelman’s Maus came to mind. There was a scene in which Arty had to act as though he was a pole whilst facing a group of young German children. The German children ran away as though he was a ghost and did not want to have anything to do with him. Similarly, there was another point in the book when Arty and his wife were seeking refuge and a Polish friend refused to grant them entry. This made them seem as though they were vermin or something really detestable.

Looking back at my quote, you will see that this is not that uncommon here too apparently. White people would destroy their schools before they would let their children sit with black children, showing extreme distaste for the local black population. We often think that persecution of a particular race (at least for a country as civilized and developed as the US) ended in World War Two. Events such as the holocaust seem so distant and foreign to us and we believe that we are now a much more equal and peaceful race than we were back then in 1945. But are we? The question remains as to whether or not we can keep up this imagery of civilized beings when put through the test of time.

It is very easy to be happy and work amicably with those who are easy to get along with. It is similarly easy to work with those who bringing in revenue for you. The true test is when you are put to work or live with those around you you seem to detest. Only then will your true colors show and apparently we are not too lovely in our true colors.

Shocked and appalled by the end of the book, I think we really need to start from the ground up especially when it comes to education. The idea of giving future generations a fair chance to study is not just far and remote, it is very far away. Very far indeed.

My Reflections from Savage Inequalities 83 – 132 QTPC Assignment XIV

Quotation

“In effect, a circular phenomenon evolves…” Savage Inequalities pg 121

_______________________________________________________________

Talking Point

Other than the monetary vicious cycle that the book touches on, in what other way does the vicious cycle of poverty affect the lives of the students? If schools get their funding from taxes and taxes from the people, what is the equivalent of the education level of the poor and minority in any given area?

_______________________________________________________________

Connection

My dad has always told me to study hard, to make a decent living and to live comfortably; not be too rich and be worried about who is going to take my wealth away and neither be too poor and worries if I will have food on the table the next day. I asked him once why he did not train me to be a businessman or give me capital to start a business idea, to at least get me going. His only reply was that he would not support me in any other way other than providing me with a good local education.

My father’s story is one of much truth and wonderful reminder. The youngest of five, he is the only one with a Masters degree. At a young age, my father saw the work he had to do in the farms as he helped my grandmother plant local vegetables to sell at the marketplace on a weekly basis. However, he realized he was not going anywhere with that job and decided to study. My grandmother gave every one of her children (except the eldest) a chance to study, yet none of the others cherished this opportunity. My dad saw this as a chance to break out of the poverty cycle, and he did.

The problem is, if he had not the insight to study, and the opportunities Singapore and UK provided, he would still be stuck in the rut. My connection to the text is, even if the children are willing to learn the fact that the school has no means of getting cash will impede the learning of the children. These children will then grow up uneducated and not being able to command high paying jobs, resulting again, to lower taxes and hence even less funding for education. The children’s children will then have no chance at a good education again and once again be left with low paying jobs.

While I was thinking of this though, i felt that this system is self-regulatory. The whole country cannot be filled with politicians, scientists, lawyers and leaders.  There has to be a certain percent of the workforce (a large percent actually) who do the jobs that these workers do not do and at the moment, the jobs are filled by people like those described in the book.

It makes you wonder if this system is put in place on purpose.

My Reflections from Savage Inequalities 1 – 82 QTPC Assignment XIII

Quotation

‘The teacher looks around and blinks and eyes the child at the pencil sharpener. The child at the pencil sharpener says, “I got to sharpen my pencil.”

“Your pencil is sharp,” the teacher says.

The child makes a face and breaks her pencil point to spite the teacher.’ Savage Inequalities pg 64

______________________________________________________________________

Talking Point

We grow up in a society that is sheltered and protected for the most part. Few of us actually get to see the ugly side of the nation. Imagine yourself as a student in this situation, where the conditions were those as depicted in the towns in “Savage Inequalities”, do you think you would find the motivation to study? Do teachers play a big role in your education process or is it just the books and other content that makes you the student you are?

______________________________________________________________________

Connection

Throughout the passage I kept having the scenes from the movie “Freedom Writers” flash through my mind. The schools depicted in the book bare a stark resemblance to that of the above-mentioned movie. The teacher (Hilary Swank) is so much like Mrs. Hawkins in the book – filled with so much passion and patience for the young students who see nothing but a bleak future ahead of them. Yet teachers bring out the best in students and even basic concepts such as being on time or respecting others when they speak are imparted to the students through the actions and instruction of teachers.

Teachers then, provide real hope for students in all situations. If they are excelling in their coursework, teachers keep them going by constant encouragement and guidance; if they are failing in the course, teachers have the ability to support and propel these failing students to make the grade. I am living proof of this. In Secondary School I was failing 3 subjects (I had 18/100 for Advanced Mathematics! Can you believe that?!) and I just passed English. Somehow or rather, I had lost my sense of urgency and concentration over the 3 terms and finally I was seeing my eminent downfall. However, after constant effort and extended hours put in by the various teachers I was able to pick up the pieces by the next year and eventually was encouraged, more than ever, to excel and pursue my dream in Aeronautical Engineering further on in life.

One of the most life-defining people is a teacher and they ought to know that. Apart from parents, teachers are empowered to do much more in a student’s life than they know and can either make or break a student’s love for not just the academia, but life itself.

The Little Island Of Singapore

Here is some wiki data on Singapore. More like an article actually. Nevertheless, if what I’ve said in class has sparked SOME interest at all, this page will give you a good overview to the little island I call home (=

One of the Smallest Countries in the World