Restorative vs. Retributive Justice (Term 3)

They are both approaches to justice. Even though they both aim to do the right thing, they are fundamentally different. Restorative justice is all about win-win, however, retributive justice is all about: I lose, so you must also lose. Restorative justice is when the offender tries to "repay" what he has done, thus "healing" the healing, while being able to get help himself. Retributive justice is when the offender has to go through a punishment, which is likely to be similar to what he did to the victim. Thus, we can see that restorative justice advocates a win-win situation, while retributive justice stands for a lose-lose situation. Which is probably better?

Retributive Justice (Term 3)

Retributive justice is an approach towards justice. It advocates punishment for the offender. It is meant to allow satisfaction and psychological benefits for the victim, while giving pain to the offender. This concept is present in most cultures, including syariah law, which advocates, "An eye for an eye". While this saying was previously used to mean the punishment should not be more than the offence, it is now used to mean that a person who caused someone to lose an eye, should also lose an eye himself. It is a win-lose situation, where the only gain is satisfaction on the victim's part (and sometimes not even this), and the offender only stands to lose.

Restorative Justice (Term 3)

Restorative justice is an approach to justice, which, I think fulfills not the letter of the law, but the purpose of the law. The purpose of the law is to punish the offender, as well as to prevent the offender from committing the same offence again. Restorative justice includes punishments such as community service, or returning stolen money. The aim of restorative justice is to stop the offender from committing the same offence, as well as to benefit the victim. The most important part of restorative justice is the theme of "healing". The process of restorative justice should ideally help the victim, as well meeting the needs of the offenders (i.e. for stealing). This form of justice serves to benefit both parties, and is a highly effective method to fulfill the law.

Racial Harmony Day Bazaar (Term 3)

It was Racial Harmony Day. My school organised a day full of activities for all students. I was unable to take part, however, due to the fact that I was a bazaar stallholder. From what I was able to find out, the activities included a mass dance, as well as a concert. Of course, there was also a period for the students to try out different kinds of food from the bazaar. I was unable to try most of the food as my stall saw a great influx of customers, all wanting packets of our home-made muah chee. The muah chee was made by me, my mum and my dad, who all stayed up till 2 am in the morning to help make it. I really must thank them for taking the time just to help me make it.

In the morning, all the students in our class helped to shift tables out to form our stall, while the students in charge of decorations put up what they spent time and effort to make. Me and the other stallholders went first, to help Wei Kiat's dad, who had helped make chin chow, and was helping to bring them over. Not long after, my dad arrived with the muah chee we had all spent so much time on. My mum had also taken leave in order to help out at the stall.

The bazaar commenced. Business was rather poor in the beginning. Students walked around, but did not come to buy. My first guess was that $2 for a box was rather expensive. I was right. Not long after, the price was changed. While one box remained at $2, two boxes, however, sold for $3. Steadily, the flow of customers increased. There was no longer a need to shout for customers. Instead, all of us were busily helping to make and pack muah chee! Our muah chee naturally started to run out. Our customers included our level SC, and even the vice-principal! We sold out quite quickly. When I was able to look at my watch, I found out that the time was only 10.40am. We had started at 8.30am! However, sadly to say, the chin chow did not sell as well, and we ended up having to give out free cups.

All in all, it was an enjoyable experience, and I look forward to next year's Racial Harmony Day.

Future School Initiative (Term 3)

The Future School@Hwa Chong sounds good on paper. "FutureSchools@Singapore will equip our students holistically with the essential skills to be effective workers and citizens in the globalised and digital workplace of the future." Really? Does the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) really think so? Please, if the students cannot control themselves to not play games when they are supposed to be working, are they really going to become "effective workers and citizens"?

Today, in level assembly, someone mentioned the creation of a gaming centre in school. His intention was to prevent any "illegal" gaming in school. Thus shows the strong desire or need to play games, even in school. The right way to tackle the problem should be to completely eradicate the playing of games in school, by somehow making the students understand that NO games are to be allowed, by somehow letting them know that it is time for lesson. Make them understand that, they cannot play, as if they are in the toilet, or in similar circumstances. Not that they not allowed to play, but that they cannot play.

The other problem with this initiative is that many students are accustomed to having a teacher teach. If this is so, they can ask questions, make clear a theory, or do things not done easily on a computer. I feel that I learn better when looking at a whiteboard than at a computer screen. I have asked around, and that is the general consensus of the class population.

There are the distractions, as well as the limitations. Thus, I feel that the FutureSchool@Singapore program, has been quite a failure, or at least in Hwa Chong, or maybe just in my class.

Racial Harmony Day (Term 3)

Due to Racial Harmony Day, our school organised a performance from Wild R!ce, entitled "Ha Ha Harmony". It was an entertaining, interesting and engaging performance. It was humorous and lively and I felt that it was rather entertaining.

The play was basically about three students, one each from the major races of Singapore. They each exhibited what most people perceived as the shortcomings of the each race. The three of them were supposed to be punished for racist behavior, and they were forced into choir, the least populated CCA in their school, and help prepare for the Racial Harmony Day performance, which was due soon. The teacher herself was of a different race, and was appalled by their racism. The teacher told them stories about role models who interacted with and even helped those of other races, and these stories actually inspired the three students to work together to produce a wonderful performance for the finale.

I feel that the most memorable part of the performance was when they said, "Have a Happy Racial Harmony Day everyday!" They were trying to tell us that everyday should be a Racial Harmony Day, and we should not treat our peers of different races nicely just for Racial Harmony Day, but instead do it everyday. This is especially important as Singapore is a multiracial society, and we rely on our multi-raciality to survive.

Should a charge be pursued after decades if it is a serious crime which was committed?

For minor crimes, most states have a “statute of limitations” that prohibits bringing charges when a certain period of time has elapsed since the crime. When it comes to serious crimes, is it right for the justice system to pursue criminal charges several decades after the crime is said to have occurred?

The aim of the justice system is to bring people who have done wrong to justice, and properly punish them for what they have done. I feel all criminals, even those who committed small crimes, should bear the consequences for what they did. If those who committed small crimes should have charges pursued against them, then those who have committed serious crimes should be more so.

Even so, there could a chance, albeit a small one, that they regret what they have done, and are already repenting. Thus, since charging them and punishing them is to help them realise their mistakes, would the pursuing of charges be redundant? Still, it is almost impossible to be sure whether a person is remorseful or repentant about whatever he has done. Even if he or she shows signs of remorse, he or she could jolly well be acting. As such, it would be very difficult to decide based on this factor.

Still, I feel that, most of all, these serious crimes have affected people in some way or other. Thus, I feel that the charges should pursued as they truly deserve it.