My Opinion on SiS (Speech in Singapore)

 
I am just another ordinary fat boy you see walking down the HDB void deck or Orchard Road. I am like a lot other youths in Singapore. I look normal, I do not have any outstanding records, I am not smart academically, I do not speak good English, I am an everyday ambassador for Singlish, I am not that good in sports. I am just another guy on the road.
 
But that should not stop me, or other people similar to me, to speak up and out!
 
Yes I might not have that standard of English that some of you guys use, I might not be able to churn out much facts and statistics like the experts do, I might not be able to use the profound words and phrases that the politicians do, I might not be able to have those 'Read-Between-The-Lines' meanings embedded in my speech like critics do. But I have an opinion. And I WANT to let my opinions be heard!
 
I have friends, colleagues and fellow mates telling me to shut up and speak softer or just simply, be 'bo chup' and don't care about all these. Maybe it is my personality, maybe this is my way of life, I want to fight for what I feel is right, I want to express my concerns, views and disagreements.
 
Who says only the top-ranking people gets to say what they want? Who says only words and phrases from the educated gets to be heard? Who says ITE students does not have a view of their own? Who says the words that come out from me, an ITE student, is unreliable, nonsensical and biased? WHOSE SPEECH ISN'T BIASED? At any point of time, there WILL BE some bias in any speech because we are humans. What I feel is that, with opinions, views and objections from various people, leads to constructive thinking and far more efficient and effective results.
 
So please, Singapore and her people, START listening to EVERYONE around you. An 8-year-old kid might have his or her own opinions such as the cleaniless of the restroom or the food given to them. A 21-year-old youth might have his or her own opinions such as the friends he or she chooses, the food he or she wants to eat, the things he or she wants to do or what clothes he or she wants to wear. A 70-year-old grandparents might have his or her own opinions such as what he or she thinks best for his or her grandchildren. EVERYONE's opinion is SOMETHING. Do not ignore them just because he or she is from a lower-income group, have a lower education background, old, too young, or simply just because you do not like that person.
 
Everyone deserves a chance to speak. As long as there is no insult or vulgarities involved, I do not see any reason why Speech in Singapore should be restricted.

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♥ 11:47 PM