Aug 9 2018
“…as a black man in lots of settings where I was not — quote — “supposed to be,” you got to know that I’m accustomed to skepticism. And I understand that a lot of people in a lot of settings have a bad habit of looking first at the cartoon of somebody. And I have trained myself to look past the cartoon and understand how I have to invite people to look past the first cartoon they see of me.”
Deval Patrick
Former Governor of Massachusetts, on CNN's State of the Union, Aug 5 2018“Looking past the cartoon” has been an ongoing theme for me too. Just like Governor Patrick, I’ve learned not to judge a book by its cover. And to practice the grace that softens how others might judge me.
As The World Turns
My national pride
Aug 9 is Singapore’s National (Independence) Day. Though I now live and work in the US, I was born and raised in Singapore. Through the years, I’ve often found myself in conversations with Americans who are quick to cite their cartoon take on my homeland. The ban on chewing gum, wanton capital punishment, free speech restrictions…all easy targets for Western freedom-championing sensibilities.
But I refuse to hate the land of my birth. It clothed me, fed me, protected me, and gave me a world-class education. (I wrote this tribute to our modern-day Founding Father Mr Lee Kuan Yew, when he passed in 2015.) Above all, it has valid historical and geopolitical reasons for many of its governing choices.
Does Singapore punch above its weight on the world stage? Being chosen to host the Trump-Kim summit in June 2018, the efficacy of the summit notwithstanding, was ample evidence and a feather in our mediating cap.
Should we, can we, must we evolve over time as a nation? Yes, of course. To not evolve would be to perish in this globalizing and democratizing world. I trust that Singapore will find its way.
Om Is Where The Heart Is
#BlackWhileHelpingTheHomeless
In late July, employees at one of grocery chain Safeway’s stores called 911, when an African-American woman was donating food to the homeless because they thought she was shoplifting, according to police.
Another case of a cartoon first impression gone wrong. Thankfully, nobody was hurt, though the woman’s son was traumatized and thought the police were going to arrest him.
It’s hard to see stories like this in the news, and even harder to know what to do to help.
Sometimes, there is very little we can do about something that happens miles away. Except…we can always make room for more people to be heard in our own lives. If someone in your team is getting sidelined, explicitly invite them into the conversation. If you only surround yourself with information about people who look and think like you, pick up a new book or watch a new channel. And allow yourself to be changed.
News and Views
Writing and self-discovery program ahead
If our turbulent times have you yearning to say and do more for humanity, then you’ll love the new program I’m developing. It’s an experience designed to unleash the message you carry inside you, the message that you’re meant to deliver, to heal yourself and others.
Can’t say too much about it now, ‘cos it’s still a work in progress. Watch this space!
In the next issue:
More reflections on choosing a writing life. I’m learning that the distinction between author and writer isn’t just semantic – the former is product-focused, while the latter is craft-fueled.
No wonder it’s such a leap of faith, and courage, to call yourself a writer. More power to you, if you see yourself as a writer too.
Till next time…
Live well and lead large – Maya
(featured image is of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, illustrated by Sam Macaisa, from krisceldianego.wordpress.com)