A global search for their roots

Straits Times, 31 July 2006

There seems to be a turn around in the concept of youths lacking the knowledge of our roots. The younger generation appears to have begun their interesting journey of searching for their ancestors past and lifestyles. Some young adults around the age of 20 and above have made trips to their old hometowns in China, chinese clans, India, and local museums to understand more of their heritage. They are not content with just tracing their roots but have put more effort in trying to embrace the culture. I agree that it is best to reach those people out there to embrace their own original cultures when they are young. But not too young. The motivation of wanting to know must be instilled in the being before the emphasis begins. I believe many poeple in Singapore are struggling to grow up in this multi-racial country as part of their search for their national identity. Being multi-racial, we tend to get our ethnic identity diluted because we assimilate with our friends of other races. Nowadays, globalisation has invited western influence such that chinese people speak better English than chinese. While, some indians speak chinese and dont know their own mother tongue. While some others do not even speak their own language at all. I feel that there is a need for us to be open to learning other cultures and languages, but our own roots must be present.