The Internet has spawned numerous keyboard warriors and people who type or comment without thinking through if what they say actually sounds right, correct or isn't hurtful. Worst are those who purposely spread vitriol.
And so, Singapore, through Joseph Schooling, has earned her very fist Olympic gold medal ever.
With it came many articles exalting Joseph and his family and the amount of sacrifices they have had to make to support his dream of being the world's best in swimming.
These are definitely ok and to be expected. Afterall, his winning the coveted gold medal had united a nation....and it is a feat to be honoured and congratulated.
And then there are the other articles and comments....
That he is not a local and questioning his parentage and his parents parentage. Just because his last name isn't the typical Chinese, Malay or Indian-sounding ones doesn't mean he is not Singaporean lah...aiyoh....
And then...I just saw an article comparing him with a foreign talent who had helped Singapore win a silver medal in table tennis 8 years ago. The article hailed him as a hero, a true Singaporean with the passion to succeed. The same article put down that China-born athlete who has subsequently left Singapore to go back to China. The article, while not scathing, not so subtly hinted that she was just here for the money and had no passion for the sport whatsoever. And of course, it mentioned the fact that she was not a local and would not be loyal to Singapore.
Sigh. I give my hats off to these people and to these so called independent alternative news sites. Any opportunity they get, they try to twist it into something political and anti-foreigner, just to fan the anti-establishment and xenophobic flames more.
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