..the beads and p*sses of dumbo-no-more

more than just 2 chances

Recently I have been involved, one way or another, in the yellow ribbon project.
If not, then I have come in contact with frens who are very much active in this project, both within and outside school.
Even my lecturer, dr tim sim has contributed in this social service, participating as a panelist, a speaker if not…an attendee.

This yellow ribbon project began to raise awareness in this community at large that the ex offenders are like us. After they have finished their sentence, they will have to thrive in this society, live amongst us, earn a living… and many more who have to carry on their responsibility as a father, a son and a husband.

Now, has our community come to realize there are such a group of pple out there who are and might be trying hard to reintegrate back into the society. Are they still condemned? Are they not forgiven? Are they still not given the 2nd chance? Are they imprisoned by the community-at-large and eyes of their employers rather then the physical bars?

I read in the paper that yellow ribbon isn’t about giving them a 2nd chance…but it is about extending grace unto others.
These ex offenders need grace… a compassionate and gracious society yet lacking in grace? An embracing and involved society which welcome foreign delegates with smiles and commendable service, portraying the beauty of the far east… but lacking the simplicity of accepting and forgiving those who have once offended us and has already seen punishment meted unto them…
If one day we are able to extend that level of grace unto ppl who have offended us and forgive them…then we will prob be a nation that is truly compassionate and embracing society.

Can we boast of a world class prison institution? Can we boast of a prison service that uses rehabilitation as a mean to help those behind bars? Do we still present chances to those who have been in and out the prison 3,4 or even 5 times?

I’ll be realistic. Those who have committed hideous crimes and are real threat to the general safety of the public are needed to be kept longer behind bars……

This afternn, I was on the way to sarah’s birthday party…
There was a woman in her 50s. She spoke with an awfully loud, jarring and unpleasant voice. Whenever she opened her mouth and spoke… I felt that pple were trying to cup her mouth… cover their ears. There was a lady in her 30s sitting beside her…she was obviously trying to distant from her. Really, she was indeed behaving in a manner which will cause unpleasant transaction…
There are many such mis-fits in Singapore. They are either unnoticed or very conspicuous. They are both marginalized. MARGINALISED. SIDELINED.
And that is very tragic.
If my mum was to speak like this, I will surely feel embarrassed. In fact….going out with her might not be an option….i dunno. Then again…she is my mum…what do u think?

posted by WILLIAM @ 2:13 AM