To the editorial team of ASS
It's quite disheartening to see the multitude of insults traded between Singaporeans and the various nationalities, especially Pinoys, and I am writing to ask for ASS to lessen the kinds of postings that encourage this. Your KPI may be pageviews and social activity, but this is creating a very negative climate.
I do not know what is the average age of the team in ASS. I'm 42, born and bred in Singapore. I live and work in Shanghai with my Singaporean wife and two kids. I used to be foul mouth, reckless in my words, and violent in my thinking. I used to tell racist Malay and Indian jokes, I made fun of other people's religions. These were the vagaries of youth. Before moving to China, my impression of Chinese were uneducated, uncouth, and backward. This was immediately dispelled after I got to know them. I work with Pinoys, Malaysians, Taiwanese, Koreans, Aussies and the usual white 'lao wai'. Many are great friends of mine, some were fuckheads, and some were the scum of the earth. Age and exposure (i.e. travel, interaction, etc) to people of different backgrounds have made me realize that we're all the same. We all love humour, we all love to have fun, we all have parents, we all face life challenges, many have lost loved ones, many are in financial difficulties... The list goes on.
My point is, please, as the editorial team, you can shift mindsets and attitudes. Please work towards make this world a kinder, more compassionate, and more relak place. We were taught in school that Singapore is unique because we're a multi-cultural, multi-racial country. So why are we so intolerant and resentful to anyone who's not like us?
Thank you
Lester Ng
A.S.S. Contributor