Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Jail As A Positive Experience

In 1961, Nelson Mandela realized that non-violent measures in protest of the South African government’s policy of apartheid would not be successful, and formed Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a militant wing of the African National Congress (ANC).

A raid on the ANC hideout of Lilliesleaf farm in Rivonia produced documents describing MK’s plans for attacks and guerilla warfare. The government charged 11 ANC leaders, including Mandela, with crimes under the 1962 Sabotage Act. In court, Mandela chose not to take the witness stand. Instead, from the dock, he admitted to many of the charges against him and defended his use of violence:
“During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

If anyone attempted to make a mockery of a defence for violence, it has to be the misguided sycophant who told the court on Monday that he wanted to teach his victim “a lesson” for disrespecting Singapore’s former prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew:
"This child is so disobedient that even the elders, parents, police, the court and the society will not have any impact on him.... I remember how arrogant he was…That’s why I thought by giving him one slap would instill fear in him, and also let him know what are the ways of the world.”

Whatever the aberrations of the case, he got one part right. It was never about religion or obscenity. The three weeks in jail meted to him for a slap that was probably heard around the world will pass quickly, but the on-going lessons to be learned will be forever embedded in our history books.

It has been said that Robben Island became the crucible which transformed Mandela. He emerged from it the mature leader who would fight and win the great political battles that created a new democratic South Africa. Let's hope that Changi Prison will also be a transforming experience.

10 comments:

  1. A so much older person who suppose to be more mature and wiser hitting a youngling...mind mind...thank you old man for showing the world how many dynsfunctional older singapore men that currently exist in tiny red dot...adults...think they know everything...huh...no wonder Albert Einstein have a very low opinion of most politicians except for Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lincoln....wake up lah....politicians (who can only talk to get money out of others who put in real work) in the main work for themselves not for the people lah....zzz

    ReplyDelete
  2. How did the Neo Guy gets placed beside Nelson Mandela for comparison?

    One has intellect way below that of his young victim, another is respected Worldwide for his tenacity and fortitude.

    Jail term does change a man. However, doubt it will change the intellect of the Jail Birds.

    patriot

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No one gives a fuck to Neo. We can pity his 3 children where we learnt, according to him, instilling fear like his esteemed leader is the right way to raise and discipline si-geena. Spread the ignorance if he can.

      As much as Amos wants to be jailed (and over with his long 18 days remand) , he is probably not getting his wish as yet. Come to think of it, in another 3 more days, he would have equally served out 3 weeks of jail time, same as his slapper. What an irony.

      So slapper kena slapped for 3 weeks jail, and the one kena slapped jailed for almost 3 weeks. That's singapore law for "nighmares" like Amos Yee.


      Delete
  3. Young Amos asked for change, change for the better, good change for everyone. Isn't this enough to miigate for all his mistakes ?

    So is our PAP Govt going to be a forgiving one and just as hateful as this man who slapped Amos ?

    ReplyDelete
  4. When inside a polling station is not within 200m... If they could not charge him for religion or obscenity, they can still find him guilty for jaywalking or eating a banana re public. After he was punished with a slap, the defence could plead double jeopardy and they could never find him guilty of insulting a dead Mentor.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Am amazed by young Amos's chess game. He is challenging the Court and the AGC to jail him as an Adult. Well, they did charged and shackled him like one dangerous common criminal, right? An Adult of not even 17 years! Poor Honourable Judge.!

    Sorry,I have no kind words for the AGC and their political bosses.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The AGC has totally misfired and misread the public cues on this matter. The fact that Judge agreed the bailing conditions should be the sentence and not demanded by AGC goes to show somebody's head needs to roll.

      In other words - If those ridiculous bailing conditions were not given in the first place, Amos would NOT have broken the bail terms. And that no sycophant from Bedok would have the grounds to lodge a police report, and re-jail him in remand. So in short, Amos has served 18 days in remand for nothing! Which could have already been his sentence and walk free. This is clearly a travesty of the abuse of power, is it not?

      Delete
  6. Neo, the slapper is a honest man. The told the true reason for his action.
    The filial son is not. He is still harping about religious harmony

    ReplyDelete
  7. Why is this being seen as insulting? I see the boy as critiquing the mindless drones of people who worshipped LKY which he sees similarity with Christians for Jesus. How is that so blind to people, that this is merely a fair comment and his mere freedom of expression. All the silly people picked on was about his attitude, his tone of voice, his choice of hair/words/attire etc..which has nothing to do with what they accused him of, other than just pre-judging him on filmsy grounds.

    Singaporeans are already a dead dull boring bunch of people.
    And they now want to make sure of killing the liveliness of the young generations. We have no idea what we are doing the souls of this nation.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-32604122

    http://www.dw.de/amos-yee-guilty-verdict-highlights-free-speech-limits-in-singapore/a-18446157

    http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/05/12/singapore/27161987/

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think this story proves that being sent to jail doesn’t have to be the end of everything. Guilty or not, if a person chooses to move on and better himself and the world, then only good things can and will happen. His time in jail was focused on making the world a better place, what a great message.

    ReplyDelete