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Journal
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Racial Harmony Day
In my opinion, Szilagyi's view should be adopted. In a multi-racial society like Singapore, it is of a great importance that each race has basic respects for one another. It is only by doing so, we will be able to live peacefully with another and the racial riots in 1964 will not occur again.
When different races live together, we have to be sensitive to the kind of words we use, be it in daily life, or in the media. This is where responsibility comes in. Like what Szilagyi said, once messages are out in public, they develop a life of their own and become subject to multiple interpretations. To prevent people from misinterpreting the messages, we have to be clear, sensitive and responsible in the things we say. If we put focus on freedom of speech, not thinking of what others would feel, we are being insensitive and normally, this leads to the misunderstanding between different parties and that is when conflicts, unhappiness, anger, etc. sparks off.
Freedom of speech could be carried out but only when everyone is mature enough to accept what is said, or is able to handle whatever that is said with an open mind. If one is aggressive and does not think before he acts, it would usually lead to conflicts and misunderstandings between one another. If freedom of speech is to be carried out, people must then have the heart to accept any criticism made and they must also realize that different races have different cultures, believes, leading to different mindsets. Thus if one race should say something wrong about another race, I think it is important that the people step out and help to clear the misunderstanding caused, instead of using violence to resolve the problem.
Thus in conclusion, I feel that only when one is responsible in his words or actions, then he will be able to speak freely.