some people have asked why i havent been more openly up in arms about the nlb issue. as someone who very nearly went to library school instead of law school, and as a reader, english major and lover of childrens books (subversiveness through play, by the way, is precisely one of the characteristics of most good childrens books), it goes without saying that i am angry, and angrier than over, say, opposition to pink dot, because of course ive loved (and love still) our public library system and its role in the development and education of our society, of civilisation itself. (i also make a distinction between our librarians and the decisions of their management -- if i were a librarian id be feeling pretty betrayed by my management right now: public librarians the world over are precisely the ones who are usually at the forefront of defending freedom of access. im surprised the wee kim wee school (which has the only masters of library science program in singapore) hasnt issued a statement about this yet.) but i would prefer to save my anger for where it matters. if there are sit-ins and protests and petitions where show of strength matters, i would participate to add to the numbers. if there is real work to be done, in say, helping with research for preparing a policy paper that is going to be presented to the government, i would give time and energy to that. if (i hope) one day there is a national referendum, i would go out and vote and help canvas votes too. but engaging people online and constantly reading more comments and reacting to them is completely unproductive. you end up involving yourself in protracted flame wars in which no ones mind will be changed, and it is as time consuming as it is emotionally sapping (the comments frequently are more frightening than the articles or movements.) your time is better spent making a difference in your own immediate surroundings: seriously. have conversations with people around you, your family, your neighbour. help educate them if there is misinformation (because much of the anti-gay rhetoric is couched in terms of family without there being any clear philosophical understanding of what family means or the discourse surrounding it.) what is the point of virtual shouting matches with strangers when your own grandfather or aunt or brother doesnt even see what the issue is. get your own families aware, if not involved (minz-papa hates conflict and usually doesnt want to make any stand, but tomorrow im taking him to the sit-in.) and one day when the time comes for reform, you might find there is more ground support than we imagine now, or that whatever people decide (and it is for them to decide) they make them based on accurate understanding of the issues at hand. and that is all im going to say about the matter.
Posted on: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 07:36:24 +0000
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