Tag Archives: question

Is it OK to be a middle class?

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I got my first Les Mis experience yesterday – on movie. (Yes, shamefully, I hadn’t watched the musical let alone read the book.)

Whilst I enjoyed the multilayered story, I was made uncomfortable and on a certain degree, questioned the fact that Marius who “pretended to be poor” and fought for the revolution, after the whole thing failed terribly, he married Cosette eventually in a beautiful home which I guess it’s his family’s and that they lived happily ever after. A friend said that that’s the self-indulgent part of middle class productions, no matter what the context was, the ultimate message was that we all would be seeking our own happiness.

I joined BERSIH movement since last April. Whilst I believed in the cause, was what I did – walking on the streets and spreading the word online – enough? Why did I believe in the cause in the first place – was it because I was a bored middle class where I needed some entertainment and hobby that made me feel good? Just like going volunteering for a day in Uganda, something that really just makes me feel like I’ve done something great and worth a pat on my own shoulder? And is this – being a middle class – OK?

(Does this relate to class, generation, upbringing…?)

Kony 2012 – 1

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KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

KONY 2012 is no doubt a great film in its own way – nicely edited with a variety of images and a key message of “STOP KONY”. You have to watch it!

But Kony 2012 campaign itself, started by Invisible Children (IC), is controversial and I’m still trying to take sides. (Hence the “1” in the title. When I sort out my thoughts, there will be “2”.)

One of the more debated points is that only 31% of monetary donation to IC goes to the victims (kids). But when someone questioned, “$80,000 per annum salary for the founder?”… It really made me stop and think – these charity workers are working for a good cause, how does it mean that they are worthless and do not deserve a fair salary? (just the fact that they created a viral video raising awareness all around the internet world is worth it, no?)