what does it mean to belong
just last year I went thru a series of ups and downs regarding belonging.
once I felt as small as dirt when the Chinese daily printed that article about Indian workers and their filthy habits that brought the spread of covid in the dorms. such blatant racism thst a daily saw fit to publish. I felt low low low. then the ugly leelxtions where as a mi ority I was told I should be grateful for my education, also passed un admonished by the gov.
the dreadful elections, followed by the euphoria I felt at the results for my country had voted race blind. and Singapore felt like a home I cam call my own again
then this year.
so many micro aggressions. leading to an emboldening of those who hold racist views. here as in us, the ugly realise they don't have to be ugly alone or in private they have company and company could mean ugly is beautiful.
so here we are today. how will we move from today? the level of xenophobia and virtrol online is sickening wverytine an Indian is in the news . an investigation into his right to be here. my husband won't be sg enough coz he hadn't done ns.
and I am now walking home after sending three kids to school, delighted at wearing red and white and excited to sing the national day songs
and I recall my primary school days when I sang, my Heart filled to bursting, and my days as a secondary school teacher watching the lackadaisical attitude of the kids, wondering where we went wrong as a m education system that these kids feel no pride in their national day, and I'm here now walking home like a walking national flag in white and red ..why? to prove to others I'm Singaporean? for a feeling of love foe this country my only home? to make my kids happy show I share their enthusiasm for the celebration?
is belonging a two way street? can one feel they belong if others around you don't accept you?
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