The psychology of divisiveness

There are those who acclaim ‘ethnic’ superiority; then others who equivocate about ‘equality’ (though differentiated), and further there is the official proclamation of ‘One Nation’, albeit of 10 Regions and six races. Some of this apparent confusion has appeared in the legal system. However implicitly, is one case headlined in SN: “DPP still to provide advice on detention of Attorney by SOCU” (November 17).

By now readers are familiar with the so called intricacies of this case. But they would also be reminded of the case riven with the confirmed assault of an officially appointed female security guard who, however euphemistically, had to back away from the designated client, albeit to a legally unsettled future. Suffice it to say the foregoing are hardly exceptional experiences. It is just that too many of the alleged defaulters could risk to complain in this pretentious environment of ‘Unity’.

What does not seem to be comprehended however, with the urgency and honesty it deserves, is the repetition of negative ‘ethnic’ relationships being too regularly portrayed in schools, from wherein the most articulate complaints have had to be lodged up to the level of the Ministry of

Education by School Principals and related education practitioners. The reported absence of positive responses that are constructive enough to temper ill manners of ‘ethnically’ superior parents to equally well qualified educators surely must undermine, not only trust in the highest level of the governance system, but more fundamentally deplete critical self-confidence, as well as trust, in other mis-confident colleagues, as well as organisations – to the depth of affecting students, one’s own progeny, and of subverting familial relationships; all the while wondering about the prospects of future careers.

Just imagine the multiplicity of such an environment persistently depleted by egoistic ethnic superiority. One does not envy the President of One Nation. There is obviously need for a substantive environmental change in the particular workplace of education. The allies of the President should understand how their misbehaviour towards teachers, as occurred recently in Queen’s College, albeit witnessed by students, set a bad example for them, including their own, more fundamentally reinforcing the psychology of divisiveness.