Stephanie released a video to further defend why she’s not proud to be Singaporean.
Here are 8 reasons, why she is wrong:
1. Stephanie claims Singaporeans will not make it in alternative, creative careers.
These people would have something to say about that:
Granted, some of these people found their pot of gold overseas first before they return. But nothing takes away the fact that they are Singaporean and have found renewed respect back home.
2. Stephanie claims Singapore is too obsessed with grades and if you do badly in school you won’t do well.
These companies were all started by people with no formal education:
(You may not have eaten here, but it is a multi-million dollar restaurant. Each meal here costs no less than S$200)
And there is so much funding by the government. They are literally telling you to go take the money and build your empire.
3. She says it is cheaper to live in Australia than Singapore
…and she is not wrong. Cars, land, property, food are all cheaper in Australia. And this is why:
4. She claims our education system does not support creative people
She has not heard of the existence of the 5 major art schools in Singapore. Or the sports school.
5. Steph thinks Singapore is too rigid for her taste
We’d like to point her to this quote:
“There is nothing to prevent you from pushing your propaganda, to push your programme out to the students or with the public at large…and if you can carry the ground, if you are right, you win. That’s democracy.”
– Lee Kuan Yew telling students to form political parties, Straits Times, Feb 1, 2005
6. She thinks Australia is better because random people come along to her and ask if her things are ok.
And these probably explain why:
7. Freedom of speech does not exist.
These websites show it does:
(Note: Breakfast Network’s Facebook page is still around. Bertha is still writing her own opinions on her personal blog)
8. She seems to think that Singapore only rewards people who are in the paper chase and hope to become lawyers and doctors.
These people don’t think so:
She wants to know if there is a reason why we should be proud of Singapore.
I’ve chosen to use his photo to demonstrate why I am proud of Singapore.
Despite the unfairness. Despite the bitterness. He chose to carry on and live a rich life. It is not easy and I applaud his resilience. I may not be able to do like he did.
And despite this expensive city, despite its smallness, despite everything that’s difficult in the Singaporean environment. I know I can make a difference with my life. There is no need to blame culture, to blame a mysterious entity called “Singapore”, to throw harsh words at a people I grew up with.
I think I can make my life a richer life, a better life and I am definitely in a better position to do so than if i was born anywhere else.
I am a Singaporean.
I am proud of it.
(PS: Your accent is painful to listen to)
[plinker]