Historical amnesia refers to people forgetting historic events of the past. Rupert Emerson defines nation as “a single people, traditionally fixed on well-defined territory, speaking the same language and preferably a language all its own, possessing a distinctive culture and shape to a common mould by generations of shared historical experience”. Aligned with Emerson’s definition, a nation that forgets its past would not qualify as a nation since it has forgotten its shared historical experience. Hence, historical amnesia is not an option in the making of the Singapore ‘nation’.
History helps to shape national identity
Past experiences mould nations to be what and where they are today. The knowledge of history helps us to better understand the unique features of our society and what distinguishes us from others. This is especially important to …show more content…
In Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s speech, he discussed about national education in Japan and US schools. PM Lee highlighted that “If countries like Japan and the US, with long histories and deep roots, have found it essential to pass on national instincts systematically from generation to generation, all the more Singapore, a young country barely one generation old, must make a concerted effort to imbue the right values and instincts in the psyche of our young.”
Historical amnesia was unavoidable for Singapore at a point of time
“Gripped by the preoccupation with the immediate tasks of national political and economic survival after its sudden and tumultuous separation from Malaysia in 1965, its leaders sought to direct Singaporeans to “examine the present, think of the future, and forget the
History helps to shape national identity
Past experiences mould nations to be what and where they are today. The knowledge of history helps us to better understand the unique features of our society and what distinguishes us from others. This is especially important to …show more content…
In Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s speech, he discussed about national education in Japan and US schools. PM Lee highlighted that “If countries like Japan and the US, with long histories and deep roots, have found it essential to pass on national instincts systematically from generation to generation, all the more Singapore, a young country barely one generation old, must make a concerted effort to imbue the right values and instincts in the psyche of our young.”
Historical amnesia was unavoidable for Singapore at a point of time
“Gripped by the preoccupation with the immediate tasks of national political and economic survival after its sudden and tumultuous separation from Malaysia in 1965, its leaders sought to direct Singaporeans to “examine the present, think of the future, and forget the