Why are Singapore's 1st-Gen leaders forgotten by the young?

Question

All they know is Lee Kuan Yew. No one knows the other old leaders till they pass on. Is this inevitable? Should the government do more to make it's citizens more aware of its historical figures?

Answer 1

I think as with most countries that achieves independence, the 1st and 2nd generation of citizens tend to be more sentimental about the leaders, because these are the people who know first hand by experience how they had to take courage and stand up for their rights, the struggles the leaders AND the people went through to get there.

For example, in Malaysia most young people remember the Tunku Abdul but hardly anyone else in the line up... i guess i am not surprised that in Singapore that is the case. In a recent Oprah primetime episode, she had her crew interview college level students to see how many know or can remember the first 5 ( I think?) Presidents of the United States, the shocking revelation was almost ALL the foreign students knew the answers ( they have to, to pass the exams I guess) but most of the American students knew only 1 or 2...

For an amazing nation of people, who value their aims of Fredom, Liberty and Openess, Oprah found it sad. But I think, patriotism doesnt equate to knowing history by heart, but having the heart to be part of a History that the future will look back and be thankful for.

Singapore, has had multiple campaigns to raise awareness of the country and their core values, some are excellent ( encourage the nation to speak mandarin! I was in Singapore awhile ago, even some indians and malays could speak it! Amazing!)... some are kind of lame ( like banning chewing gum for 10 years...hehe) If the families themselves dont encourage such awareness in their young people, whatever policies the Govt does is like what Joey Tribianni of FRIENDS say, " Its a MOO point" ... ie. a cow's opinion, doesnt really matter :)

Answer 2

not educating the young about their country's founding fathers is a definite mark of a totalitarian govt that wants its citizens to belive that the current dictator is a god. if you were a mediocre dictator riding on the past achievements of a great man, would you want your subjects to know it? NO! youd take credit for his achievements or at least part of them.