By Rizzy
Reading the article where TOC interviews his bailor Mr. Vincent Law has really given me an insight on who Amos Yee is as a person.
When Amos was taken back into remand, I had assumed 2 things. Either Vincent Law does not have the $30,000 to front or Vincent Law offered $30,000 to the front and Amos Yee declined his proposal.
Needless to say, I was glad it was the later.
A lot of people are under the impression that Amos Yee just a young angry teen full of angst, rebellion and lacking in empathy.
If he truly was lacking in empathy, He would have taken the offer by Mr. Law and squandered it by breaking the terms of the bail a second time, yet he chose not too.
[youtube id=”ssDW030yT2w” align=”center” mode=”normal”]He understands the injustice of Act 377A in Singapore that criminalizes male homosexuality and empathizes with their fight to get this law repealed, it serves no purpose in a civil society and no amount of slippery slope fallacies used by the ruling governing body can ever justify this blatant discrimination.
[youtube id=”c149BllszRo” align=”center” mode=”normal”]His less than subtle, humourous and sarcastic commentary on the Little India Riot shows maturity and understanding of situations while being balanced and constructive. It is also a sign of a green and thriving mind that is well beyond its years.
The only fault of his youth is that it’s not given him the tactical understanding of how to work around the system.
In the shared conversation with Mr Law, where he confronted Amos about his religious beliefs, Amos yet again shows a wisdom that is well beyond his age, Yes, we can take issues with religious doctrines, we can criticize them and we can disagree with them but that doesn’t mean we have an issue with the religious just because we’re atheists.
Amos Yee has truly shown true strength in his character. His unrelenting desire to not conform or compromise. His maturity in responding to “Cookie Tan” the man who openly made his desire to maim the genitals of a teenage boy then stuffing said member into the child’s mouth public. Choosing to remain in remand over risking someone else’s money. His ability to articulate his thoughts into material.
Admirable traits in someone so young.
Since day one of this saga, it has been refreshing to see how one Singaporean teenager has been so brazen and defiant in standing up for his freedom of speech, I only wish more of us have the tenacity of Amos Yee.
And I hope at the end of this saga Amos comes out unbowed unbent and unbroken.
Peace!
“If someone tells me that I’ve hurt their feelings, I’m still waiting to hear what your point is” – Christopher Hitchens.
