Wednesday 31 October 2012

Chimamanda Adichie: The Danger of A Single Story

Perspective is something all of us think we understand for we talk about looking from different perspectives everyday. Right up till about 7th grade though there is still a voice inside each of our heads incessantly squawking "ME!ME!ME!ME!ME!". Where is the perspective in that? Thus, in english we have been learning about "true perspective" and recently watched a video by prominent Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie. 

Through powerful, backlashing and sometimes humorous sentences, she explains just why it is so dangerous to have a mindset solely formed upon one story. She explains the vulnerability that we as children face when we were first exposed to stories. She also explains the enormous powers that stories can carry. All throughout her talk though, she constantly re-emphasizes a single point. How just knowing one story about anything is dangerous. 


As requested, here my final three points from her talk. 

1. We as human beings digest and accept facts at face-value far too easily. We fail to withstand the power of stories which only bring us the negative. Which only bring us what we know as "stereotypes". To break through this hurdle of letting our guard down to the information delivered into a single story, we need to explore not only the dark, but the light side of every story. 

2. Power is a gift given to those who can through voice, alter stories. Who can show that stereotypes are incomplete. It is also a gift if wrongly used, can make people see the world all in just one shade. If there is black and white, they will see either black, or white. 

3. Stories can empower. They can also dispossess. As writers, we should all look to empower, and not use our bias viewpoints to only give a single story to others. 

This talk shows us just how important perspective can be. It teaches us to ignore that incessant voice, and listen to the thousand others waiting to be heard. 


Saturday 27 October 2012

Is Our Service Authentic?

Service at UWCSEA. A program that is unique down to it's core, it instills a sense of helping others into the smallest of infants all the way to IB graduates ready to get their first degrees. It's aim is not to make us feel guilt-stricken about living the opulent and charmed lives that we are leading. It simply aims to dig a space out in each of our hearts so that we might contribute to those less fortunate then us.Yet, I can't help but wonder : are we actually truly committed and passionate to the services we as individuals support? Or are we just doing it for the credit? If only for the credit, then we might as well not do service. For is it really service if we aren't actually committed?  We are investing valuable time which could be used for something else. Worse still, we have to exude a fake persona; One which does not really exist.

Constantly nagging at the back of my mind, these questions relentlessly attack me every day as I  go  through yet another day at school.  Therefore I decided to do something about it. Over the October break as my family and I went to Borneo, I went to visit a school for kids which did not even have the smallest sliver of hope of getting a formal education.
 The students are without proper learning conditions

 Set up by a church, this school was established in 2005.It was the result of the initiative shown from a church warden, Mr. Low Gee Huat, and a full time pastor at that time, Margaret Chong. They started this project when some Indonesian  laborers who came to the church complained about the fact that their children were not able to attend local malaysian schools. Unable to pay the astronomical fees that the private schools demanded, the free education was the only route out for their children. Unrecognized by the government though, their children were not offered that education. 

In that same year, 2005, because of this issue that was raised, a camp was held for these Indonesian children. Mainly to catch their attention and show them the possibilities and promise of an education. Working like a dream, the school kicked off with 37 students and 3 teachers. The record attendance at that time was 47 students. Due to some unforeseen circumstances though, the attendance drastically dropped. Further misfortune was to follow as the school closed down for the remaining kids could not pay the fees. That didn’t deter Pastor Margaret Chong though, and in May, 2006 when she was posted to St. Pauls church in Ranau, to pastor the church and Kundasang Ministries, she had talks with the  Ministries and the school was restarted on the 9th of August, 2006 with 27 children. As current as of 18th of October 2012, the average attendance is now 250 kids, with several teachers.  They are split into 11 classes based upon ability and not age.

The football punctured beyond repair
Something which I saw that made me question some of the things that I see in UWCSEA was what the kids did in their recess. Especially the conditions in which they played their football. They were playing on top of a seriously uneven surface of cracked mud with a ball punctured beyond repair. They didn't even have proper footwear and their goal was two rocks set upon the ground. Not one of their faces showed a sign of disapproval towards the conditions in which they were playing in though. Comparing it to UWCSEA, I find that even though we have an amazing field of astro turf, and the footballs aren't punctured, there are still times when I see individuals complaining about the type of football that they are using. There are also still times when individuals blame the inability to play football properly on their footwear. Another activity which the kids were actively involved in allowed me to see the resourcefulness of these kids. For they managed to create a simple, yet challenging game using only a string made from rubber bands. As the teachers called the students in to start the next period of classes, I realized that from even being spoon-fed activities more privileged kids lacked that little spark of ingenuity which less fortunate ones had.

The class that I taught

Taking up the task of teaching a group of what we would consider 6th graders english, the passion in their eyes along with the vigor and eagerness in which they wanted to learn made me reflect on what I occasionally see in UWCSEA classrooms ; A slumped body language, paired with conversations which go along the lines of  "There's too much homework....." as well as "School's boring....". It showed me that although the students in UWCSEA might be more fortunate than those in this school, the students here understood the importance of an education. What we take for granted, they treasure. The opportunities that education provides for them could be their way out of poverty. It could be the start to an educated generation in Ranau.


 As I drew the the english class to a close, I realized that in order to actually understand the message the school is trying to send across, first hand experience and knowledge is required; That's not right. It's DEMANDED.  Even my brother who's in fifth grade got some first-hand experience as he toiled like a farmer under the midday sun, harvesting broccoli.


So is our service authentic? I believe the question is up to the individual to decide. It's up to the willingness of each individual to take the schools message and apply it in their own lives; To go the extra mile and experience it first hand. To find that spot in their heart where genuine passion and commitment have a home. Then to dig deeper. Hopefully, it's not for the credit. Hopefully, it's because something has struck them and that they want to continue keeping a place in their lives for service long after their UWCSEA days are over. 

Thursday 11 October 2012

Being Abnormal?

 Is there really such a thing as normal? Does it really exist? We live in an ever-evolving society in which each individual is becoming ever more critical of the people and the world around them. The term "Normal" is no longer just the way people categorize and perceive each other. It's almost a derogatory term placed upon individuals who have no perceived "extraordinary" qualities. Just another human being conformed into the mould of being "normal". Looking at it from different perspectives though, what's normal to one person may be abnormal to another. For example, let's take the simple situation of studying as soon as you get home. This may be normal to some and abnormal to others. This is where the unfathomable idea of "abnormal" enters the picture. For if "normal" cannot have an indistinguishable meaning no matter where you go, then how can "abnormal" have one? Therefore, I will not express my views on an "abnormal" character by calling him normal or abnormal. I will just state his name.

Lionel Messi. Greatly regarded as one of the best players in history, the term "abnormal" doesn't really fit with his name. Terms such as "Phenomenal" and "Astonishing" are usually associated with him. Starting out from the Barcelona youth team, he scored a superlative first goal for the senior squad as a fledgling at the age of 17 years old.  Many thought that his performances were only a fluke in his lifetime and at several intersections during his early career doubts were placed upon his future successes. Hardly did anyone know that he would take up a spot in history larger than Ronaldinho. Leaving a trail which would become more eminent than the person who flicked the ball over to give him his first goal. 

Just a quick statement: in no way are my practical skills on the field even eligible to be compared to his. I do feel that I have a slight connection to him though. For just like him, soccer is my passion. One which I have an unquenchable thirst for. Another part of him which I think relates to me is the ability to not fit oneself into the mould of what society deems "normal". He doesn't care what others think about him, criticism passes through one ear and out the other and most importantly, no matter what successes he may come across, he doesn't let it get to his head. He keeps on working, setting goals and improving himself. Stretching himself to his own limits.

For what is life without a goal? What more can you accomplish if you are satisfied with what you achieved?

I'll leave you with those questions. Maybe you'll find an "abnormality" in yourself.

Wednesday 10 October 2012

On the selection of my book.......

"Choosing"a book is hard for some people, easy for others. In the end, it all depends on on what kind of literature might cater to your needs.  Lately I have deviated from my usual habits of reading(thanks to an overload of homework). I was in need of an action book to reignite my passion, therefore I chose Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry. 

 Image By: brody4
I have extremely high expectations for this book because I am hoping that it will be one which sends me back on track in terms of reading. So far, it has done the job flawlessly. The writing has flowed, and it is filled with the most infinitesimal of details to paint a vivid picture. 

Some problems that could occur whilst reading this book would be that it could get confusing sometimes. For the way this book is divided works out to be a mix of several narratives, All giving opinions on different topics. This does not go back on my previous comment that the book is flawless so far though, so I'll leave it there on a high note. 

Wednesday 3 October 2012

A Character I admire-Ernie Els

Role models are people who in this lifetime have played a significant role in each of our lives. Some people may have many, others few. Mine though, is Ernie Els. As artificial as admiring a sportsperson may seem, there is more to Ernie than just his excellence in golf.

Image By: _HarryLime_
First of all, I admire the fact that Ernie is an extremely irrepressible character. 
For the past few years, Ernie has been battling through an extremely hard time in his life. He hasn't won a single tournament and he has still had to shuttle between South Africa and Florida to treat his son's autism. As he consistently placed in only the top 28, Els failed to find his old form. Day after day, week after week though, Els still went out on the range to practice. He still went through the strenuous and arduous schedule that athletes must go through. Working as hard as he could to have a resurgence in form. Finally,After 6 years of determination and resilience Els finally won his 4th major tournament this year. The British Open. 

          Another thing I admire about Els is that he is sincere and has a high mark of sportsmanship. This was shown through his recent win at the British Open, for the tournament started out on the wrong note for Ernie as he lay mid table in the final round. Then in a dramatic change of tide, and another brilliant display of his resilience, Els carded 6 straight birdies on the last six holes. The leader at the time(Adam Scott) bogeyed his last 5 holes to lose by one stroke to Ernie. Of course an extremely disappointing time for Adam Scott, any winner in that circumstance would have overdone his sympathy for Adam, making it insincere.  That's why Ernie was not only remembered for a 4th major win though. For in his victory speech, he was sincere in his feelings towards Adam Scott. He didn't overdo it, nor did he make Adam feel insignificant by not mentioning him at all. He showed the mark of a true gentleman. Sincere, and a graceful winner.

         Lastly, I admire Ernie's commitment to be concerned about people who aren't as fortunate as him. This can definitely be seen through his foundation. Els uses his foundation to identify underprivileged youths and introduce them to the game of golf. As well as providing financial and moral help, Ernie uses his foundation to educate underprivileged individuals. Els has also provided support towards autism after his sons diagnosis in 2009. He hosts a tournament called the Els for autism Pro-Am, which raised 725,000 dollars for a non-profit school which teaches the autistic. His concern, commitment as well as his awareness towards those less fortunate are comparable to that of an enthusiastic UWC student, if not more.

An excellent representative of the 4 UWC profiles, Ernie should be a role model for everyone.