Nov 19, 2009

Let’s strive for a kinder and softer society

I APPLAUD the initiative by the Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) last weekend to push for a kinder society. I hope each of us will bring kindness to our everyday life and not just that weekend.

Singapore has much progress to make in spreading kind acts throughout society. Many people are too stressed out by the struggle to make ends meet. The economic downturn does not help. In fact, it has forced many to strive to put themselves ahead in the workplace, oblivious to the feelings of their colleagues. Survival of the fittest seems to reign.

Where else do we see young people hogging seats meant for people who need them more? In Australia where I live, such priority seats are often left unoccupied even if the bus or train is packed. Even if they are occupied, people will volunteer them readily to anyone who needs them. Such acts often put a smile on everyone’s faces as everyone chips in to make society kinder and more gracious.

When I hear of pregnant women sacked by unscrupulous employers and foreign workers exploited, I realise we have unwittingly set off a lot of discriminatory practices in the workplace. Such flawed hiring practices go contrary to the kindness we try to inculcate.

The kindness movement can work well only when hiring practices are improved and basic human rights restored. We cannot have a movement asking people to be kind when there is so much discrimination on the work front.

Many lament that Singapore has all the hardware in a prosperous society but lacks the software to maintain it. Money can bring us only so far. A kinder and softer society will enable many to enjoy the riches that economic prosperity has brought us.

Gilbert Goh