Tragic Death in Manchester...
**Tragic Death in Manchester- S’porean killed because he didn’t have lighter **
Straits Times-Friday July 1 2005
I am deeply saddened by the recent tragedy of an innocent Singaporean kicked and beaten to death in Manchester, UK after he was unable to give a teenage gang a lighter for a cigarette. Come on, give me a break. It’s so obvious this attack isn’t over a stupid cigarette lighter. This attack is purely racial and I see this attack as a signal to Asians that we are not welcomed in UK and people there are a bunch of racist white trash. Forgive me for my language, but I can’t help but feel sorry for the deceased wife, kids and immediate family members. His wife is jobless and she has 3 young kids to feed. And now she has to deal with the sudden loss of her husband whose cause of death was over a supposed cigarette lighter-what more can I say? I pray for strength and boldness to empower her and help her cope over this thunderstorm in her life.
I tell you something, I am really starting to have second doubts about UK. Not that I won’t have to deal with discrimination and racism elsewhere, but I always figured the English as the worst of the lot and they are just snobbish and pompous who don’t have a regard for other human beings except themselves. I don’t know where this idea or generalisation stems from- perhaps early colonial times where the British governed Singapore. I will spare you with the historic details as I believe all of us should know our history and if not, please send an email to LKY and family; they would be more than willing to assist.
The issue is that the English still believes that they are the superpower of the world and all country is subservient to their reign. Even though history has it that we were once under their control- but that was all in the past. Singapore has progressed over the years, gained independence, made a name for herself, have a sound economy, a stable government, we have moved on and the English should to and not revel in its past glory.
The English should start to humble themselves and know that they are the longer the master, they must start to treat us as fellow human beings with basic human respect and not discriminate us for our skin, colour or race. This is a very touchy issue and we should not expect a miracle to happen overnight, but our best weapon is prayer. We should pray that the Lord would change and turn our hearts to accept one another for who we are and love one another the way God loves us. Unconditional love is the key to world peace.
The concert of prayer yesterday at Singapore Expo was electrifying. I have never been so charged up over an evangelistic rally for a long time. There we were jumping up and down praising God. I felt so ALIVE. Serving on the choir really adds to the experience. As Levites of worship, we must constantly remind ourselves of our countenance and heart of worship to God. It’s only when our heart is aligned with him than will we be able to lead the people to him through the act of prophetic worship.
We were praying for the nations and I sense the Lord putting a burning desire for the country of East Timor. I am not going to get all preachy and start telling you about missions. But one of my goals in the beginning of the year was to go on a short mission trip and I have been praying for the Lord to put a nation in my heart and I sense the Lord sealing the decision in my heart yesterday while I was praying.
It’s amusing to think that most of my friends don’t see me as a mission’s person. Honestly, I am also having difficulty coming to terms over the whole mission thing. My parents laid a bet that I would never ever do mission ever in my life. What an understatement? It doesn’t feel good to have others doubt me on things I can do or not do, God decides, God will provide.
I am such an urbanite that perhaps God probably figured that I would be better off here than going over and not being of much help. I have no technical knowledge or professional skills the only remote thing that I could possibly do is to teach English to the locals there. But the only one problem is that my English ain’t that fantastic. Excuses after excuses, but as I really search my heart, the one major problem is that I am not willing to step out of my comfort zone. The Lord has since changed my heart and that’s why I want to do a mission trip before I leave for my studies.
Which beings me to my last point, I intend to blog this on my next entry but I think its time everyone knows. I decided to turn down the scholarship and the opportunity to study in UK. The reason behind this is not the whole racism issue, I made this decision way earlier before this incident happened. The revelation took place last week when my parents drove me to the agent office to settle my student visa application. I was feeling very uneasy and unsure. I am usually very confident when I make a decision and I will know with all my heart this is the right thing to do. But this time around, I feel a sense of burden and uncertainty. It’s my gut feeling.
I felt that all along my heart is with Australia and I know that I want to further my studies there. The ultimate factor that I must take into consideration is whether I would be comfortable in the city that I would be studying in. I know I should give Liverpool the benefit of the doubt and do more research in it, but ultimately I have to admit. I am biased. I prefer Australia. So this is it, I would be going to Australia next year February to further my studies.
Thank all of you for being so supportive including my parents, I thought they would get really mad but surprisingly they were calm and allowed me to speak my mind and my feelings and thoughts. They gave me fully autonomy to make my own decisions as they know I am no longer the small little boy who can’t make up his mind. I am a young adult and they know its time for me to be brave and make my own decisions and answer up to them.
(PS: Pretty Fairy, you owe me 10 great commentaries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Straits Times-Friday July 1 2005
I am deeply saddened by the recent tragedy of an innocent Singaporean kicked and beaten to death in Manchester, UK after he was unable to give a teenage gang a lighter for a cigarette. Come on, give me a break. It’s so obvious this attack isn’t over a stupid cigarette lighter. This attack is purely racial and I see this attack as a signal to Asians that we are not welcomed in UK and people there are a bunch of racist white trash. Forgive me for my language, but I can’t help but feel sorry for the deceased wife, kids and immediate family members. His wife is jobless and she has 3 young kids to feed. And now she has to deal with the sudden loss of her husband whose cause of death was over a supposed cigarette lighter-what more can I say? I pray for strength and boldness to empower her and help her cope over this thunderstorm in her life.
I tell you something, I am really starting to have second doubts about UK. Not that I won’t have to deal with discrimination and racism elsewhere, but I always figured the English as the worst of the lot and they are just snobbish and pompous who don’t have a regard for other human beings except themselves. I don’t know where this idea or generalisation stems from- perhaps early colonial times where the British governed Singapore. I will spare you with the historic details as I believe all of us should know our history and if not, please send an email to LKY and family; they would be more than willing to assist.
The issue is that the English still believes that they are the superpower of the world and all country is subservient to their reign. Even though history has it that we were once under their control- but that was all in the past. Singapore has progressed over the years, gained independence, made a name for herself, have a sound economy, a stable government, we have moved on and the English should to and not revel in its past glory.
The English should start to humble themselves and know that they are the longer the master, they must start to treat us as fellow human beings with basic human respect and not discriminate us for our skin, colour or race. This is a very touchy issue and we should not expect a miracle to happen overnight, but our best weapon is prayer. We should pray that the Lord would change and turn our hearts to accept one another for who we are and love one another the way God loves us. Unconditional love is the key to world peace.
The concert of prayer yesterday at Singapore Expo was electrifying. I have never been so charged up over an evangelistic rally for a long time. There we were jumping up and down praising God. I felt so ALIVE. Serving on the choir really adds to the experience. As Levites of worship, we must constantly remind ourselves of our countenance and heart of worship to God. It’s only when our heart is aligned with him than will we be able to lead the people to him through the act of prophetic worship.
We were praying for the nations and I sense the Lord putting a burning desire for the country of East Timor. I am not going to get all preachy and start telling you about missions. But one of my goals in the beginning of the year was to go on a short mission trip and I have been praying for the Lord to put a nation in my heart and I sense the Lord sealing the decision in my heart yesterday while I was praying.
It’s amusing to think that most of my friends don’t see me as a mission’s person. Honestly, I am also having difficulty coming to terms over the whole mission thing. My parents laid a bet that I would never ever do mission ever in my life. What an understatement? It doesn’t feel good to have others doubt me on things I can do or not do, God decides, God will provide.
I am such an urbanite that perhaps God probably figured that I would be better off here than going over and not being of much help. I have no technical knowledge or professional skills the only remote thing that I could possibly do is to teach English to the locals there. But the only one problem is that my English ain’t that fantastic. Excuses after excuses, but as I really search my heart, the one major problem is that I am not willing to step out of my comfort zone. The Lord has since changed my heart and that’s why I want to do a mission trip before I leave for my studies.
Which beings me to my last point, I intend to blog this on my next entry but I think its time everyone knows. I decided to turn down the scholarship and the opportunity to study in UK. The reason behind this is not the whole racism issue, I made this decision way earlier before this incident happened. The revelation took place last week when my parents drove me to the agent office to settle my student visa application. I was feeling very uneasy and unsure. I am usually very confident when I make a decision and I will know with all my heart this is the right thing to do. But this time around, I feel a sense of burden and uncertainty. It’s my gut feeling.
I felt that all along my heart is with Australia and I know that I want to further my studies there. The ultimate factor that I must take into consideration is whether I would be comfortable in the city that I would be studying in. I know I should give Liverpool the benefit of the doubt and do more research in it, but ultimately I have to admit. I am biased. I prefer Australia. So this is it, I would be going to Australia next year February to further my studies.
Thank all of you for being so supportive including my parents, I thought they would get really mad but surprisingly they were calm and allowed me to speak my mind and my feelings and thoughts. They gave me fully autonomy to make my own decisions as they know I am no longer the small little boy who can’t make up his mind. I am a young adult and they know its time for me to be brave and make my own decisions and answer up to them.
(PS: Pretty Fairy, you owe me 10 great commentaries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
posted by theflyisneverdead at 7/02/2005 12:57:00 PM
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