Sanity

As the Rev Wright talks endlessly on CNN, one cannot but admires his stamina and learning. Yes, he is controversial and intentionally provocative, but he does bring across some interesting viewpoints. His passion is palpable and he minces not his words. You may not agree with all his arguments but you cannot but admire his breadth of learning and understanding. He is the epitome of the African American civil rights religious leaders.

But I partake not of any of this. To me lies the daily struggles of putting food on the table and putting kids through school. I am perhaps the epitome of the apathetic Singaporean, brought up to leave politics alone because there is a great deal of personal risks to be seen to be too outspoken, to be too visible and to be perceived a firebrand. America is different, yes, there is passionate argument, always the strive to provide different views, to allow all and sundry to bring forth their side of the picture, to parry and thrust, to challenge and question. But I only watch from the sidelines, musing, mildly interested but mostly they wash over me like the water of a stream over the stones and pebbles on its bed. This is perhaps the most interesting US presidential election in a long long time with the possibility of either the first American woman president or the first non-white American president. But I have little energy to devote to following the in's and out's, the primaries and scandals. It is hard to shake off the years of self preservation, of material pursuits above democratic rights and freedom of speech, of avoiding all politics if one so as not to jeopardize one's rice bowl.

And that is what makes it sad for Singapore and Singaporeans...