I used to enjoy writing blog posts back in high school as a way to improve my poor English writing. It has been 15 years since I last wrote one like this. This is part of my writing practice, read with an open heart.
A recent classroom discussion with my junior students that turned out to be quite interesting. I usually spend a part of the lesson engaging with them in dialogue on various topics, a common practice in which I pose questions to encourage them to think and voice their opinions. This time, we discussed a timely and somewhat sensitive incident where an elderly gentleman raised the Malaysian flag upside down, which sparked significant public debate and even leading to his arrest. This incident became a catalyst for a broader conversation about respect, tolerance, and the way we approach patriotism.
During the discussion, I posed a question to the students, asking for their personal reflections on the incident:
How might we reflect on the actions and choices of everyone involved in said incident, and what could this mean for our understanding and practice of patriotism in the future?
Student A:
“It is importance to always give others the benefit of the doubt. By doing so, we are allowing ourselves to think.
We should first try to understand from their perspective, and only then decide on the most appropriate way to respond or offer correction.”
Student B:
“Perhaps the situation could have turned out better if the criticism had been expressed more mindfully, instead of immediately posting the video on social media and attacking the uncle.“
Student C humorously suggested that perhaps the uncle was inspired by a Chinese New Year tradition where the Chinese character “福” (fú), which means “blessing” or “good luck” is placed upside down to symbolise the arrival of good fortune. When inverted, it traditionally symbolises that good fortune is “arriving.”
While this is a light-hearted analogy, the Student C also pointed out a crucial point:
“We can choose to interpret actions more generously rather than assuming ill intent. In other words, a measure of empathy could prevent a simple mistake from turning into a national controversy.”
A self-re‘flag’tion of my recent visit to Taiping, Perak.
I shared a personal anecdote with my students to illustrate this idea further.
While visiting one of the famous eateries in Taiping, Perak, I took a photo of the environment without realising that the Jalur Gemilang hanging from the ceiling appeared inverted, until when I was about to post the photo on my Insta.
The flags were not hung incorrectly; it was simply because I had taken the photo from the opposite side, a matter of viewing angle.
If I had not noticed this until it was posted on social media, especially during the Merdeka month, when such topics become increasingly sensitive, I could have ended up on the menu at Kenny Rogers Roasters.
In my opinion, it is extremely important to develop a sense of awareness within ourselves when it comes to the use of the national flag, whether in displaying it, incorporating it into designs, or applying its elements to products and creative works. Such awareness helps ensure that our expressions remain respectful, appropriate, and aligned with the values the flag represents. As the flag represents our nation, it is our responsibility to be mindful of how it is portrayed.
This sense of awareness should extend to all aspects of our lives, prompting us to think twice before taking action. This is why I make it a practice to have open discussions with my students from time to time, encouraging them to think and reflect on everyday matters.
As human beings, we are not perfect. No one is, and nobody will ever be. But don’t say this to your girlfriend or wife lah.
We each have our own everyday concerns, and it is natural to overlook certain details at times. This is where, as observers, we should be willing to give others the benefit of the doubt. By approaching such situations with mutual understanding, we can work together to foster stronger and more respectful relationships within our community.
In the same way that the way we teach and learn is constantly evolving, the approaches used to foster and promote patriotism must also adapt. While I am not an expert in cultivating patriotism, I strongly believe that compassion, tolerance, and the habit of self-reflection are good starting points for building a strong foundation.
Throwback moments.
I am not sure if teenagers still do this nowadays, aside from feeding the homeless with chicken bones, but back in my high school days around 2009, my friends and I used to celebrate Merdeka Day every year by going around our Taman to photograph the things we loved about Malaysia and by making funny cringe videos.
Here’s a silly video we made during Merdeka Day at Jaya Jusco. If you don’t know what Jaya Jusco is, go ask your parents.
No one told us that we had to do it, or how to do it; we simply and naturally celebrated with genuine happiness and pride. One year, we even went up to the rooftop of Jaya Jusco (Currently known as AEON) to get a good photo view of the KLCC and KL Tower, only to be chased away by the security guard afterwards.
We then continued our celebration by having Bak Kut Teh for dinner, which, I swear, had no intention of linking the occasion to pork or anything of that sort; it was purely to satisfy a craving.
If we did the same thing today, from a third-person perspective, we might be labelled as insensitive or troublemakers. However, at that time, we acted from a very innocent point of view, with no intention of making fun of or disrespecting anyone or the significance of the Merdeka month.
In conclusion, by understanding situations from multiple perspectives and fostering empathy, we can avoid unnecessary conflict and create an environment where those who wish to express their patriotism feel encouraged rather than humiliated, as what we need is a more genuine sense of national unity in a democratic country. After all, patriotism should unite us, not divide us over simple misunderstandings.
Just as everyone has their own favourite food, we can all gather in a place filled with different people and a variety of delicious dishes.
