In the age of social media nowadays, Facebook pages like All Singapore Stuff and Legit Singapore have made it easy for Singaporeans to upload out of context videos and pictures.
Videos of people fighting or sitting on the reserved seat on the MRT would usually garner hundreds of comments from netizens bashing down the person who might seem to be at fault.
What our generation fails to consider is the context of the situation. We don’t think about anything else other than the offense seen in the video. We immediately jump to hunting down and sending the accused death-threats.
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However, this situation sheds light on how we can take a step back before following the unforgiving crowd blindly and help Singaporeans correct their mistake and understand their point of view.
Influencer Made Insensitive CommentÂ
A while back, Ms Sheena Phua, Instagram beauty and travel content influencer with over 76k followers made a post on her Instagram Story calling two men wearing turbans “huge obstructions” to her view at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Her insensitive comment, of course, went viral.
But it’s what happened next that restored faith to humanity.
An Unconventional Response
While some among the Sikh community might have felt uncomfortable, a group of young Sikhs stepped forward with an unconventional response.
No, they did not join the crowd to bash her down. Or did a rap. In fact, they did the opposite.
The group invited her to an informal tour of a gurdwara – a place of worship for the Sikhs so that she could learn more about their traditions.
They Felt That Sheena Phua Was CyberbulliedÂ
According to The Straits Times, president of the Young Sikh Association (YSA) Mr Sarabjeet Singh mentioned that the gesture took some thinking through.
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Some of them felt a little uncomfortable with her initial post. However, they agreed that the responses that Sheena got felt like a case of cyberbullying.
They recognised that as an opportunity for them to reach out and engage. The group didn’t want an apology as much as they wanted to improve awareness and understanding.
Phua Accepted The InvitationÂ
After her apology post, she told The Straits Times that she decided to take up the YSA’s offer to learn more.
She was introduced to the Sikh religion and culture, and had her questions answered.
The beauty influencer also participated in Sewa, or an act of service, by trying her hand at making chapati in the community kitchen.
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“Never Really Truly Delved Deeper Into Understanding Religious Practices”Â
Phua mentioned that she has a close friend who is Sikh but they have never discussed religion and culture.
“For many youths, the issues we discuss revolve around mundane issues like fashion, gossip, and travel.”
Mr Sarabjeet was glad that she had taken up the offer and said that she had “demonstrated humility, kindness, curiosity, and sincerity, and that is more important to us.”
Netizens And Influencers ReactÂ
Documenting her experience at the gurdwara, netizens and her other influencer friends applauded her for taking this as an opportunity to not only learn but use her influence to educate youths on the Sikh culture.
Winter Chee, beauty influencer put in her two cents on the situation in an Instagram Story.
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Others applauded her for the wholesome content.
Wholesome content indeed.Â
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