Anyone is guilty who watches this and does nothing

I feel that this statement is true, that when one sees others being discriminated against, doing nothing to help is wrong, especially when you know the person. Just picture yourself being taunted and teased by some people just because of the fact that you are Chinese and you speak differently from them. Would you like your classmates to watch and laugh, stand aside and do nothing or take your side and comfort you instead of rubbing salt into your wounds? Just last year, we all had a similar experience, one in which our ex-classmate was a victim. Last year, because of his poor results, weird behavour and work attitude, almost all of us marginalised and poked fun at our our poor classmate, Xin Cheng. Few people would talk to him and listen to his explanation, while most just made jokes about him and how people would end up as "Xin Cheng Number Two" if they did not do well for their tests or homework assignments. In the end, people of other classes somehow came to know about it and some even went as far coming into our class to mock at him. I was one of the few, as I mentioned in my earlier blog post, who actually talk to him when I have some time. Even so, he ended up having to remain in Secondary one and repeating the year. I feel that my classmates should not have done this. Instead, they should have also encouraged Xin Cheng to buck up rather than continuing on his computer gaming. These people, who ignored him, are supposedly 'guilty', as mentioned by the quote, for not helping Xin Cheng in his time of need.

Strange Fruit

I feel that the writer of the song intentionally did not include the word 'lynching' in it because he wanted the 'southern gentlemen' to think about the song's true meanings and reflect on their behaviour instead of just dismissing it as another criticising and anti-racist song. Come to think about it. If you want people to take your words seriously, you cannot just stuff your thoughts right into their faces and expect them to follow. They will probably just laugh at you and ignore you, just like how Jia Xin ignores Shao Xuan when the latter(SSX) tries to pull his weight on the former(LJX). That is why I feel that the song without the word 'lynching' inside is more powerful and influential towards the people of the southern states.

Mississippi Burning

"Mississippi Burning" is a movie that very well depicts the scene of racism towards the blacks by the whites. It also displays the thinking of 'white supremacy', which was common amongst the people in South America at that time, around the 1980s. My feelings for the movie is neutral as I did not like some of the scenes, especially the disturbing ones. However, I did like the fact that I got to learn more about how the whites discriminated and marginalised the blacks, despite the only difference being their skin colours. Racism is a seriously weird business. Just come to think of it. Imagine you being just an ordinary Chinese man sitting in your room minding your own business. Suddenly, a gang of Japanese people come, pillage your house, and take you along with them. You are puzzled. However, you know your fate soon as you can see some of the Japanese holding rifles pointed at you. Would you like that? I mean, you're just minding your own business, not bothering them in any way. And they suddenly come and kill you just because of the fact that you are Chinese! How would you like that, seriously. Unless you're one of those who go 'lynching rocks!' everyday. :)

An ex-classmate...

Last year, we had a classmate who is not here now with us year to share our joy and happiness. His name is Lin Xin Cheng, and he was just like one of us in the beginning of the year, except doing a little bit worse than average. He was normal, no matter from what perspective you see him from. However, around midway through term two, one of our classmates introduced him to the extremely popular game which most of us play, DotA. At first, he was only slightly amused by the game. But shortly after, he started playing it. From a few games a day to a few hours. His results, of course, suffered a tremendous impact. In fact, he would not do his homework just to play DotA which resulted in him getting reprimanded by the teacher the next day. This continued on and on, until our form teacher, Mdm Lim, talked to him and counselled him. Only did she realise that Xin Cheng's results suffered due to his computer addiction. Apart from having his results deteriorating, Xin Cheng was so into his world of DotA that he even acted as one of the characters. For example, he would, at a random point of time, say,"I cast you a sleep spell!" At first, I thought he was just trying to be funny, but after some time, I realised that he was clearly addicted to DotA and that he really needed some help. I began talking to him, treating him as a friend. Most of my classmates treated him like a retard and continuously poked fun at him. I tried several times to get them to stop, but they would not heed me. In the end, Xin Cheng became extremely marginalised, with only a few true friends like Shao Xuan, Hao Yu and me. Finally, at the end of July, he decided to give up secondary one and repeat it this year. I feel that our classmates should not have made fun of him last year. Instead, we should have all encouraged him to quit his gaming and focus on his schoolwork. Making fun of him was wrong, but everyone loved it. This was an act of prejudice by my class last year, one which should have been stopped before consequences became too dire...

Paradise Resort

*The sky is azul blue, with fluffy cirrus clouds levitating above the islands. The sea is calm and crystal clear, as if a symbol of paradise. The coconut trees like guardians, loomed over the island, watching over the people enjoying the time of their lives there. There is a small boat floating on the peaceful sea, together with two people snorkeling and looking at the diversity of corals and marine life underwater. Soft powdery sand covered the island, which was decorated by huts and cottages. There was also a pathway lined by a fence at the shore, which links to the other side of the island. There were several people walking on the path, admiring the view of the heavenly island. Some others were strolling on the sand, experiencing the beauty of nature and the sea breeze. These are the pure enjoyments and relaxations the people on Paradise Resort enjoy.*

Never take things at face value...3

http://www.toondoo.com/cartoon/2728059

Never take things at face value...2

http://www.toondoo.com/cartoon/2727741