Blog 4 - Too quick to judge, too slow to forgive
This week I have decided to share one of my personal reflections.
This week I have just started learning driving which is so interesting and fun! :) Before I get to learn driving, I was not interested at all, and had the mentality that being driven around is always better than having to drive around myself. This is obviously not the case. After my first lesson, I had the desire to proceed to the second lesson to learn more driving techniques. I guess this is just human nature. Before we experience it and ponder about it, we tend to judge a situation or event critically and quickly, and often against it.
Ris Low, the popular Singaporean figure for the wrong reasons, was recently being criticised so badly by people, especially Singaporeans. Her english was just too horrible and was a disgrace to us, as many agreed to be the case. However, before we could even judge, perhaps we should reflect upon those times where a majority of us also made serious blunders in life. In my opinion, she should be forgiven for her bad english, just for once. :) A serious mistake, for most cases, should not be forgiven the second time it is committed.
It is always good to think before acting; verbally and nonverbally. Who knows the next one to be targeted for the wrong reasons might be you? I hope not.
posted by charlenetan at
7:47 AM
18 Comments:
Certainly, we often land ourselves in all kinds of sticky situations in life. Very naturally, we are quick to judge. Definitely, slow to forgive. The popular saying "To err is human, to forgive divine" clearly illustrates this fact. After all, forgiving is never an easy task. We also like to jump to conclusions simply because we want our lives to be made easier by going for the most ideal assumptions our scheming little minds can think of. However, we do know that most of the time, we end up getting smacked back in the face.
No one likes to be judged. Its cruel and most of the time, insensitive. But where this is concerned, everybody is guilty of having done so before. Judgements are the butt of juicy gossip, that when ends up in the wrong hands, would get more people hurt.
I have to agree with you. Though I too felt that her english is simply horrible but we shouldnt be judging her as I doubt that many of us speaks good english? At times, we do mix up our tenses, our grammer. Just because she is on television programme, she is been judge by everyone?
I agree that judgements = gossips and what if you are in her shoes, been a young girl who hasnt really seen the world and get this much of cristism, how will you feel?
I do agree that people deserve a second chance if they are repentant and want to change for the better.
But in the case of Ris Low, I feel that she shouldn't be representing our nation in such competition as it really is a very bad and inaccurate reflection of our country and it's people. I'm sure there are tons of pretty girls who can speak more fluent english, and more importantly, in a less bimbotic manner.
But I do sympathize with her for all the slamming from the media and masses. But that is still no excuse for her, especially when she's the winner.
I still prefer being driven around as compared to driving around.
No comments about Ris Low. Enough is enough. Move on.
YL: Thanks YL. Such a short comment. :))
Christopher: Yes, I agree with you. The judges should consider seriously before allowing Ris Low to represent Singapore. A beauty without brains(in this case, without fluent English) has very detrimental effect to Singapore.
Anonymous: Yes, she should not be judged so critically such that majority of the people are badmouthing her. However, she should attempt to speak proper English, or at least practise her English before speaking in front of the camera.
Audrey: I guess it is just that people are conveniently joining in to badmouth Ris Low. This is human nature. My take is that Ris Low should be forgiven, and yes, I believe many have forgiven her.
hmm, I do prefer to be driven around eh. haha! well, maybe because i haven't learn yet, shall see in future whether is true. =]
i do agree to forgive others, everybody make mistake. As long the person know he/she is wrong, i can't find reason to not forgive them. haha.
hey chuwen! Thanks for your comment! I shall drive you around when I get my driving license. :))
people are often quick to judge because they are critical and to most, first impression matters alot and once a negative first impression is casted, it's hard to change an impression of that person. The person will then judged the person that she/he has a negative impression of and tend to criticise things that the person do, thus being biased towards that person.
as to forgiving, another question will pop up.. should we also forgive those that do not admit their mistakes? and maybe even continue making those mistakes? should we forgive those that seems 'unworthy' of our forgiveness? it's easy to say to forgive, but hard to when you are the person who got hurt terribly..
however, in conclusion, we should learn to forgive.. no matter whether that person admits his mistakes or not and no matter whether he is 'worthy' of it or not.
Karen: Thanks for your comment. Yes, to forgive someone who had hurt one dearly is such a difficult task, especially if the person is very close to you in one's life. However, isn't this the reason that one should forgive the person?
First impression is very important,especially on media,interview,etc.Shouldn't someone prepare her for the competition?This is such an important competition that she represents Singapore which reflect the image portrayed on our country.However,we should not criticize someone that has poor language.Furthermore,do all Singaporean really speak proper English?If she know her mistake and willing to change,we should forgive her.One should learn to forgive and forget,
Hey Huiqun, thanks for your comment! Actually, some of those who criticised Ris Low could not speak proper english too. These people should not have the right to criticise. It makes no sense. Too forgive and forget is also a human virtue. We should all aspire towards that goal. Of course, to do so depends much on the circumstances and situations too.
For the people who criticized Ris for her poor English and seemingly unforgivable acts of fraud, think about this. Does she have a hundred other good things about her that people don't see? The media blew up her bad points and left her scarred. Heys, why not come and talk about how great a person I am? I'm witty, sensible, motivated.. etc. What? No interest?
So why are people interested in other people's flaws? Reason: It makes them feel better.
A wise person feels confident without having to compare.
clouds, thanks for your comment. I totally agree with you! You just sum up my thoughts. :) Afterall, she is also the daughter of someone else. People should just stop making fun of her. However, it is evident that people cannot get away from using her new invented words such as "Boomz" and "Shingz".
After so long, it's time to give Ris Low a break i guess. Moreover she's already given up her position. But i'm rather thankful for that. Anyway, no one can argue that she's the most memorable ex-beauty queen from Singapore isn't it? She got all the fame she possibly ever wanted.
Yu Han, thanks for your comment! Haha! Yes, she had indeed received all the fame that she wanted. She will be the legendary Singapore beauty queen ever and ever. Her newly-invented words will be legendary too; forever and ever! :D
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