AQ/Ying Ting/10S403

In Passage 1, the author states that criminal violence could be due to a society's structure. For societies who are of a heterogenous structure, it is hard to bind people together and thus creates feelings of alienation among citizens. The author states the United States as an example, which he calls 'a nation of strangers', with a high level of homicidal violence. This view is becoming more and more applicable in my society, as Singapore has an increasing number of immigrants coming into our society. It is part of the government's plan to increase population to 6 million people in the near future, and more immigrants are allowed into our society. This changes our society's structure into a heterogenous structure, where percentage of immigrants in our society is considered high in relation to number of locals. Recently, there was a series of slashings in our society, which is more commonly known as the Kallang Slashings, where immigrant workers robbed and attacked random strangers. This has sparked up many discussions and debates on whether or not immigrants might pose a threat to our society's welfare. I feel that the sense of alienation among immigrants is increasing as more and more immigrants are entering our society, and there is discrimination among Singaporeans against these immigrants, which migth cause them to feel even more alienated and lonely in our country, thus affecting their psyches adversely. Thus, the issue of a heterogenous society causing feelings of societal alienation is becoming an increasing cause for concern in my society.

In Passage 2, the author thinks that increased emphasis on multiculturalism and respect for other cultures in France is not a solution to preventing riots and violence. He substantiates his point by saying that the riots and violence is due to the population being highly deculturalised and individualised. I disagree with the author, as in my society, such emphasis on multiculturalism and respect for other cultures has been effective in preventing riots and violence. I feel that the author is not being very fair in deriving such a conclusion. However, I feel that in all societies, the people in the society must be willing to embrace such emphasis and reforms. With increased understanding among race, religions and cultures, riots and violence can be decreased. I feel that a deculturalised society can in fact become more bonded if people are willing to embrace one another's cultures. By being appreciative of one another's culture, individuals will be willing to accept one other for who they are. This will lead to the society becoming less deculturalised and individualised. In Singapore, there was a 1964 Racial Riot which was triggered by a clash between a group of Malays and a Chinese policemen. The government has since taken steps to alleviate racial discrimination and misunderstandings, such as creating Racial Harmony Day. In recent years, there have been no racial riots in our society and younger generations of Singaporeans are more able to appreciate the cultural diversity in Singapore. This emphasis on multiculturalism and respect for other cultures has helped Singapore become a multi-racial and multi-religious society today. Thus, I strongly believe that such emphasis on multiculturalism and respect for other religions can help in reducing violence in a society.