Pointing fingers
I read a forum letter in The Sunday Times today and almost choked on my coco pops drowned in goat's milk. Someone wrote in to complain about offensive t-shirts young people are donning with nonchalence and that it should be an infringement of the Public Entertainment and Meetings Act. The person mentioned that one of the t-shirts read "I am surrounded by idoits" and the other had a middle finger graphically displayed.
The first thing that came to mind was, since when has wearing clothes become a form of public entertainment? And second, we can't even wear what we want without applying for a license?
*chuckles*
Talk about freedom of expression, isn't what we wear part of expressing who we are?
Not forgetting that one of the clauses in Article 14: Freedom of Speech, Assembly and Association states that every citizen of Singapore has the right to freedom of speech and expression.
But of course there would be calls for restrictions as it considers necessary or expedient in the interest of the security of Singapore or any part thereof, friendly relations with other countries, public order or morality and restrictions designed to protect the privileges of the Parliament or to provide against contempt of court, defamation or incitement to any offence.
I, for one, don't think wearing offensive t-shirts has jeapardised the interest of Singapore's security, nor threaten friendly relations with other countries. It hasn't incited people into any riots nor make any libelous references to specific individuals or corporations to make for a contempt of court or defamation case.
So where is the problem?
Now 2 things I'd like to throw back at the writer.
One: What constitutes offensive t-shirts?
We all know it's rude to point the middle finger at anyone, so ok, perhaps a t-shirt that has the middle finger prominently displayed is offensive and visually disturbing. What about playful slogans on t-shirts? Stuff like "Men Suck" or those infamous FCUK t-shirts?
Two: What is the Public Entertainment and Meetings Act?
According to the Singapore statutes, it says the prohibition lies in:
No public entertainment shall be provided except —
Ok, so there is the possibility that these innocent young people may have infringed the Act but I doubt that an average reasonable Singaporean would agree that such t-shirts are public nuisance. In fact, I don't even think most people take it to heart what is printed on t-shirts. But of course I could be wrong.
Still I wonder if it was so difficult for the writer to have just turned away or avoided direct eye contact. Was the damage done to the hilt it left such a deep and lasting wound?
I marvel at the kinds of issues that bother fellow locals so much it actually provoked them enough to draft a letter to the ST Forum. Which reinforces what John Hay said about spoilt and pampered Singaporeans. About how someone wrote in to complain because his soap dispenser had run out of soap, which of course sent the health authorities down, who later decided that the hygiene levels for a farm are already very well-maintained there's no need to penalise them for a one-off incident. I mean how often do we actually look into ourselves and see what we can do to adapt to the environment, rather than expect everything to be done to our pleasure?
If we go to a farm, we jolly well brace ourselves for some place that is old-school, dirty and if we care about hygiene, bring wet tissues or hand gels.
If we don't like a service at a restaurant, think about how we behaved as diners. Had we been polite? Did we say our "pleases" and "thank yous"or did we breeze in like a diva and summoned the waiter like he or she is our personal butler?
It's always much easier to point fingers at other people, blaming them for our inconveniences or downfalls, but more often than not, we fail to realise our role in the scene.
Instead of complaining at small matters like naughty t-shirts worn by less than 1% of the population, why not direct that constructive criticism inwards and make ourselves more gracious and tolerant?
The first thing that came to mind was, since when has wearing clothes become a form of public entertainment? And second, we can't even wear what we want without applying for a license?
*chuckles*
Talk about freedom of expression, isn't what we wear part of expressing who we are?
Not forgetting that one of the clauses in Article 14: Freedom of Speech, Assembly and Association states that every citizen of Singapore has the right to freedom of speech and expression.
But of course there would be calls for restrictions as it considers necessary or expedient in the interest of the security of Singapore or any part thereof, friendly relations with other countries, public order or morality and restrictions designed to protect the privileges of the Parliament or to provide against contempt of court, defamation or incitement to any offence.
I, for one, don't think wearing offensive t-shirts has jeapardised the interest of Singapore's security, nor threaten friendly relations with other countries. It hasn't incited people into any riots nor make any libelous references to specific individuals or corporations to make for a contempt of court or defamation case.
So where is the problem?
Now 2 things I'd like to throw back at the writer.
One: What constitutes offensive t-shirts?
We all know it's rude to point the middle finger at anyone, so ok, perhaps a t-shirt that has the middle finger prominently displayed is offensive and visually disturbing. What about playful slogans on t-shirts? Stuff like "Men Suck" or those infamous FCUK t-shirts?
Two: What is the Public Entertainment and Meetings Act?
According to the Singapore statutes, it says the prohibition lies in:
No public entertainment shall be provided except —
- (a) in an approved place; and
- (b) in accordance with a licence issued by the Licensing Officer
Ok, so there is the possibility that these innocent young people may have infringed the Act but I doubt that an average reasonable Singaporean would agree that such t-shirts are public nuisance. In fact, I don't even think most people take it to heart what is printed on t-shirts. But of course I could be wrong.
Still I wonder if it was so difficult for the writer to have just turned away or avoided direct eye contact. Was the damage done to the hilt it left such a deep and lasting wound?
I marvel at the kinds of issues that bother fellow locals so much it actually provoked them enough to draft a letter to the ST Forum. Which reinforces what John Hay said about spoilt and pampered Singaporeans. About how someone wrote in to complain because his soap dispenser had run out of soap, which of course sent the health authorities down, who later decided that the hygiene levels for a farm are already very well-maintained there's no need to penalise them for a one-off incident. I mean how often do we actually look into ourselves and see what we can do to adapt to the environment, rather than expect everything to be done to our pleasure?
If we go to a farm, we jolly well brace ourselves for some place that is old-school, dirty and if we care about hygiene, bring wet tissues or hand gels.
If we don't like a service at a restaurant, think about how we behaved as diners. Had we been polite? Did we say our "pleases" and "thank yous"or did we breeze in like a diva and summoned the waiter like he or she is our personal butler?
It's always much easier to point fingers at other people, blaming them for our inconveniences or downfalls, but more often than not, we fail to realise our role in the scene.
Instead of complaining at small matters like naughty t-shirts worn by less than 1% of the population, why not direct that constructive criticism inwards and make ourselves more gracious and tolerant?
posted by Me at 10:06 am
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