April 17, 2007

Singapore

Clearing Up Some of Negative Misconceptions Toward America

There are few things about America that I have a hard time explaining or justifying. However, the recent school shooting has left me in a very difficult position when I try to respond to people's inquiries. I have created a quick run-down of questions I have been asked in relation to crime and shootings in the United States.

1) I heard it isn't safe to walk outside in America. -Iranian friend, March 2007

At 300 million people, America is quite large. Like all countries, there are bound to be those who are either mentally unstable or severely disgruntled. America separates itself from many other countries by giving a great deal of media attention to such instances because, let's face it, people don't expect it to happen in America. So, it makes for "gripping" news to report about the criminal acts that do occur.

The truth of the matter, though, is I have never seen a serious crime committed, and I have never known some one who was physically harmed. This isn't to say it doesn't happen, but as long as you exercise the same common sense that applies everywhere else, you will find America to be one of the safest places on earth.

2) I heard it's not safe to study in schools because of student shootings. -Singaporean friend, January 2007

Of late, student shootings are one of the uglier developments in America. They are inexcusable and grip the entire nation every time they occur because they seem to happen randomly. However, please remember that America has 100 times more people than Singapore. Percentage-wise, for every 100 shootings in America there should be 1 shooting in Singapore.

I don't mean this as justification because there is no excusing the heinous acts. Schools have tried installing metal detectors along with a host of other safeguards, but at the end of the day it is up to parents, friends, and family to prevent such events. As a country, we have tried to improve upon this.

3) I heard America has one of the highest homicide rates in the world. -Nigerian friend, March 2007

There was actually a movie created about this very topic because it is unsettling how many homicides occur every year, especially using guns. Part of the problem lies in the availability of lethal weapons. The American Constitution, the world's oldest constitution still in use, protects a citizen's right to "bear arms" (own a gun.) While this right has been curtailed to prohibit things like hand guns and automatic weapons, the average person can still own a rifle if they fill out the necessary paperwork.

4) I heard Americans don't like Chinese. -Hong Kong friend, December 2006

While it is difficult to speak for everyone, I have never experienced a time when a Chinese person was degraded or looked down upon in America. In fact, most Americans think very highly of the Chinese because they work hard and tend not to break the law.

America has reached such a high level of development because it welcomes people of all shapes, colors, and sizes, and judges each person on an individual basis. Racism is one of America's biggest no-no's - you simply cannot get away with it. Historically, the country is guilty of committing ethnic and racial mistakes in the past, so the citizens and students are continuously taught about such events to prevent a recurrence.

5) I heard about 9/11, and while I feel sorry for the US, I am afraid of terrorism while visiting. -Indian friend, April 2007

We are all afraid terrorists will strike again, but I can assure you the brightest minds are working their hardest to prevent such an occurrence. Indeed, it has been six years since 9/11, and despite an ongoing war with terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda, there have not been any other attacks on American soil. The US government has tried to "take the fight to the enemy."

One of the more defining aspects of the United States is its refusal to allow fear to get in the way of people's live and people's dreams.

 

**Note** If anyone else has a question about America please feel free to ask. Remember: you can only be ignorant if you are afraid to ask

 

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