Of the Inclusive Society and the One That Gives A Damn

(An extract of my Educational Pshychology write-up on the definition of an "Inclusive Society")

The definition of an “inclusive society” to me is one that accepts and makes no difference of the presence of people who are perceived to be off-the-mainstream in nature. These include the elderly, the sick, the physically and mentally disabled, the unemployed and even the confused in terms of gender. The emphasis here is that an inclusive society is a caring one that supports the needs of the poor and unfortunate, thus allowing them to play integral roles, even key roles, in the society.

At the moment I feel that, in general, Singaporeans are yet to earn the moniker “a graceful society”, much less an “inclusive” one. As we scurry about daily to do what we perceive as the most important jobs in the universe and serve the most important people around – our own selves – we tend to forget, and at times we intentionally or unintentionally deny the interest of that pregnant woman on the train or that handicapped driver from whom we cavalierly robbed a parking lot. Then there others among us who cheekily embezzle millions from poor old people who desperately need kidney dialysis just to buy a gold walking stick. That lady with the infected legs begging outside Tampines MRT does not have to beg if someone gives her a job.

In an inclusive society, people regardless of their ability, status, race, religion and language get a fair chance to play integral roles - regardless of race, language or religion - although the reality now is that even people of sound qualifications are being denied employment just because they don’t speak a certain language. And even if they do, they may at times be automatically perceived as not good enough because they are not of a certain skin colour.

Tags: inclusive society, Singapore, graceful society, equality