Emmanuel Adebayor..Serena Williams…Kanye West… Role Model Responsibility

Just because you’re under pressure it doesn’t give you the right to rant on other people when things don’t go your way neither do you rub it in someone’s face when it does! The weekend saw the ugly side of famous personalities who are supposed “role model” to the younger generation losing it in front of millions of people.

Scenario #1
English Premier League - Manchester City vs Arsenal….
Adebayor ex Arsenal player ran the length of the pitch to taunt and antagonize the Arsenal away supporters after scoring City's third goal. Are the Arsenal fans to blame for throwing things at him and in the process hurting a Man City steward… I think not. Adebayor had earlier appeared to kick his former team-mate Robin van Persie in the face.

So the Arsenal fans never showed their appreciation? Hey FYI respect is earned… the fans always loved and respected Bergkamp, Henry, Ljunberg, Reyes, Pires, Viera


Scenario #2
US Open Tennis – Serena Williams vs Kim Clijsters….
With Clijsters on the brink of victory, defending champion Williams was called for a foot-fault on a second serve to go match point down.
Astounded by the verdict, Williams immediately saw red and threateningly marched up to the official. She waved her racket ominously and thrust the ball into the lineswoman’s face as she launched into a tirade. “I swear to God I’m… going to take this (bleeping) ball'' and stuff "it down your (bleeping) throat, you hear that? I swear to God,” Williams told the line-judge.
Having already received a warning earlier in the match for smashing a racket, Williams was handed an automatic point penalty for “unsportsmanlike conduct,” giving Clijsters the match.


Scenario #3
Video Music Awards – Taylor Swift vs Kanye West….
The presenters announce Swift as winner of Best Female Video. She goes up to stage and begins her acceptance speech. Suddenely West rushes onstage, grabs her microphone and lets loose an outburst on behalf of singer Beyonce Knowles, who had lost out in that category. “Taylor, I'm really happy for you, and I'm gonna let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time,"


What in the world was going on in the minds of these role models. They are being watched by millions of people, they are respected personalities (earning insane amounts of money) in their professions and they go on an inexplicable, unforgivable rant and then apologize half-heartedly saying their emotions got the better of them but they still believed that they were right.

Disgraceful and inexcusable that’s all I can say. With the number of kids that watch these programs and look-up to these people as role models they should be severely punished. Show some responsibility!

They have no idea what the repercussions of their actions are. Inciting crowds, causing fights and worse, showing people that you can just DO what you want WHENEVER you feel. Yes having your own opinion is great but showing patience is greater…. After all things don’t go your way ALL of the time… LIVE with it!

One-Malaysian-ness

Yesterday I went to the Post Office to invest in Amanah Saham 1Malaysia.

With form filled, Mykad photostated and money in hand I waited patiently. As my number was called and the person behind the couner checked my form they looked intently at me and asked what my race was.... hahaha.... cruel joke.... Here we are trying to recognize every culture under the Malaysian sun and happily categorizing people... and here I am, poor un-categorizable persun I am, trying hard to explain that I beong in the "dan lain-lain" (others) column as I do not fit the criteria of the rest. Yes... Race : Others.

The best part there was NO "dan lain-lain" so I waited for them to find a recent letter they received to tell them what category code number I belong to. Finally the computer accepted me...

I belong to a minority race. Laughable at best. No I do not want to stir racial tension. No I do not want to fight for my Irish-Australian-Chinese-Malaysian rights. But yes I want to be a part of bangsa Malaysia where there is no racial segregation.

So "dan lain-lain" it is until the day we truly acheive one-Malaysian-ness.....

Peace, Love and Respect,
Jenn

1Malaysia... Brave New World?

52 years and another Prime Minister later we follow another dream called 1Malaysia.

I’m having trouble understanding the concept although in essence I love and support the idea. It is a call for acceptance, to recognized and take into consideration the needs of every ethnic group. We would be having to take a holiday every other day, speak 200 different languages and understand a myriad of cultures, which mind you also change with the times.

Tolerance… will never lead to true unity. The meaning of the word is enough to make you cringe… forbearance, endure, acceptance…. doesn’t all this point to a capacity, a limit. We need to get to a point where we don’t even think about race, break down all the barriers and take that step towards being true Malaysians, become one nation.

And what does 1Malaysia have to do with the tagline “Rakyat didahulukan, Pencapaian diutamakan”? (People first, Achievement Now) this NEEDS to be a maxim for the government not the people!! We don’t need to understand that the needs of the people go first and that meritocracy rules. This IS what WE the people have always wanted anyway (unless you are greedy, selfish or uneducated).

Before the National Anthem required an official function before it was sung. Why? Why can’t it be sung everywhere? Football game? Cinema? Before any event? Where there is alcohol served? In a church? In a mosque? WHY NOT? When we play the national anthem and we can moved people to feel proud to be Malaysia, shed a tear understanding the lyrics, … does it matter where they are, who they are, what their background is? Negaraku never fails to move me….

Like as in all things understanding comes with education. If we want our children to throw rubbish in a dustbin, cover their mouths when they yawn, get up and offer a seat to someone who needs, respect their elders it needs to be taught when they are born and continue right through their school life not at primary school level when they already have bad habits and preconceived ideas. They need positive role models from their parents to their teachers. The nationalistic spirit needs to be instilled to a point where it is runs on auto and comes without thought.

I never think of my friends as Indian, Chinese or Malay. This has been true since school until this very day. We are friends because we share the same aspirations, interests, uncanny sense of humor and enjoy each other’s company. Creed, colour and race bears no significance and only passion and the desire to do the best you can for yourself, your family, your country that allows you to work with others to achieve. I’m sure Nicol David, Tony Fernandes, Lee Chong Wei, Karamjit Singh and others who have achieved the Malaysian Dream never thought of themselves as anything but Malaysians wanting to succeed.

It is a brave new world… we take the step to become one... this all starts with you and me… we make the difference no matter how big or small the contribution there is no such thing as insignificance in effort….

I have a dream…
No oppression, No discrimination, No segregation

Negaraku

Tanah tumpahnya darahku,

Rakyat hidup

bersatu dan maju

Rahmat bahagia

Tuhan kurniakan,

Raja kita

selamat bertakhta

Rahmat bahagia

Tuhan kurniakan

Raja kita

selamat bertakhta

Peace, Love and Respect,

Jenn