a contentious entity
March 22, 2010its really depressing that most teachers are afraid to show more contentious resources to students. how then will students be exposed to alternative viewpoints and develop their own critical thinking skills? how can they debate and decide for themselves, the values they want to adopt in life?
i am not trying to sound righteous… but seriously, the creation of knowledge within Singapore schools are so… limited and perhaps even, self-indulgent… lulls you to not to care about anything else, other than what is given to you.
the need to question. the desire to search for meaningful experiences. the excitement of having dialogs and disagreements (debates/discussions) with others.
i stand before you as a unique entity. i may be different, but i do not really care about what you may think of me. what matters – i have an opinion. i make my own decisions. i am able to not be afraid of changes and differences. i appreciate diversity and have respect for the individuality.
perhaps that is why i decided to dye my hair red 
depends on your definition of contentious..in history there are always contentious stuff, differing interpretations and we do analyze that. tho of course some are deemed sensitive..but tt doesnt stop students from developing a critical mind..
the entry is based on an informal group discussion i had with some friends – about mr brown.
i guess i am commenting more on the “mentality” but of course i am generalizing.
contentious in the sense – exposure to sources that contradicts – people in power, social norms, etc. yes you mention, there may be sources that require thinking but in my opinion, unless we expose them to a slightly more provocative type, they are limited in thinking critically.
i suppose, me as a person – i enjoy being contradicted, disagreed upon by my peers… it puts me to totally distrust myself… and then to trust myself and my train of thoughts again.
i think i DO expect a lot – from the students, systems whatever.
and with that, i will get loads of huge disappointments and frustrations.
c’est la vie :p