We have been playing the cat-and-mouse game over the past so many years.
Unitarian mentality, racism, extremism. All these are mice.
And we are those cats that keep being exhausted by the mice.
The world of cat and mouse has something very much in common with the human world.
They keep changing.
In the past, the mouse used to hide from the presence of the cat, and only went about its business deep at night, when everyone else was fast asleep.
As for the cat, it had developed a habit of staying awake at night, for that was the time it could capture the mouse.
At that time, the master's economic conditions were not that promising, and the cat might not enjoy satisfying meals all its days.
While not really that palatable, the mouse was nevertheless a savoury treat that could keep the cat's stomach filled in those difficult days.
With the master's living remarkably improved over the years, the cat could now look forward to more decent meals. No longer was it necessary for the cat to worry about getting its stomach filled.
The well fed cat began to ignore the mouse that jiggled in front of it. All it wanted in the daytime was to sleep, and caterwaul when the night fell.
A cat that no longer wanted to catch the mouse became nothing more than the master's pet!
Seeing the wonderful opportunity, the mouse boldly snatched up food in broad daylight and couldn't care more about the cat. Moreover, the cat could not be bothered about it either.
As a matter of fact, the cat was not altogther reluctant to catch the mouse. It was just unable to!
The mouse had now become as sturdy as the cat, and even the cat felt threatened.
As a result, the mouse moved about unrestrained day or night.
Back to our human world. The same plot is taking place all around us all the time.
In the past, unitarian mentality, racism and extremism had to be hidden from public vision, or be dressed up first in a presentable outfit before they could be displayed to the public.
In the past, unitarian mentality, racism and extremism were like much dreaded monsters that everyone would try their utmost to stay away.
Unitarian mentality, racism and extremism have since made steady advances, and slowly they eat into every segment of our life--economy, culture, education, sports, politics--everywhere.
It all comes so naturally, so taken for granted.
So, we begin to see people unabashedly proclaim: "I am a 100% racist!"
Without the slightest glossing over, not even a hint of embarrassment or shame.
An era of shamelessness is beginning to show up.
Shamelessness means anyone can trash righteousness, equality, democracy, justice and rationality in his pursuit of endless power and riches.
The cat story teaches us that a comfortable life can kill our vigilance.
The SPM 10+2 issue, the adoption of national school curriculum and additional periods for BM subject in Chinese primary schools etc. are warning us that we cannot afford to back off, and must safeguard our rights and status at all costs, from this very moment.
(By LIM MUN FAH/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)
MSC
16/12/09
Unitarian mentality, racism, extremism. All these are mice.
And we are those cats that keep being exhausted by the mice.
The world of cat and mouse has something very much in common with the human world.
They keep changing.
In the past, the mouse used to hide from the presence of the cat, and only went about its business deep at night, when everyone else was fast asleep.
As for the cat, it had developed a habit of staying awake at night, for that was the time it could capture the mouse.
At that time, the master's economic conditions were not that promising, and the cat might not enjoy satisfying meals all its days.
While not really that palatable, the mouse was nevertheless a savoury treat that could keep the cat's stomach filled in those difficult days.
With the master's living remarkably improved over the years, the cat could now look forward to more decent meals. No longer was it necessary for the cat to worry about getting its stomach filled.
The well fed cat began to ignore the mouse that jiggled in front of it. All it wanted in the daytime was to sleep, and caterwaul when the night fell.
A cat that no longer wanted to catch the mouse became nothing more than the master's pet!
Seeing the wonderful opportunity, the mouse boldly snatched up food in broad daylight and couldn't care more about the cat. Moreover, the cat could not be bothered about it either.
As a matter of fact, the cat was not altogther reluctant to catch the mouse. It was just unable to!
The mouse had now become as sturdy as the cat, and even the cat felt threatened.
As a result, the mouse moved about unrestrained day or night.
Back to our human world. The same plot is taking place all around us all the time.
In the past, unitarian mentality, racism and extremism had to be hidden from public vision, or be dressed up first in a presentable outfit before they could be displayed to the public.
In the past, unitarian mentality, racism and extremism were like much dreaded monsters that everyone would try their utmost to stay away.
Unitarian mentality, racism and extremism have since made steady advances, and slowly they eat into every segment of our life--economy, culture, education, sports, politics--everywhere.
It all comes so naturally, so taken for granted.
So, we begin to see people unabashedly proclaim: "I am a 100% racist!"
Without the slightest glossing over, not even a hint of embarrassment or shame.
An era of shamelessness is beginning to show up.
Shamelessness means anyone can trash righteousness, equality, democracy, justice and rationality in his pursuit of endless power and riches.
The cat story teaches us that a comfortable life can kill our vigilance.
The SPM 10+2 issue, the adoption of national school curriculum and additional periods for BM subject in Chinese primary schools etc. are warning us that we cannot afford to back off, and must safeguard our rights and status at all costs, from this very moment.
(By LIM MUN FAH/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)
MSC
16/12/09
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