Do some migrants appreciate Singapore more than locals? Woman’s post sparks debate

A woman born in Singapore recounted her gratitude and appreciation for her adopted home, Singapore, as she celebrated the country's National Day. Her Facebook post from August 9 garnered significant attention, but it also sparked a heated debate about whether migrants like her may appreciate the city-state more than those born and raised there.

The post author explained that when she moved to Singapore with her family in the 1980s, she did not know English. This language barrier made her struggle with her studies, as her very first spelling test resulted in a zero. Similarly, when her parents were informed that their daughter needed a PE uniform, it took time for them to understand the requirement.

Despite the hardships, the woman's family stayed in Singapore. They were fortunate that she excelled in her studies, landed a good job, and eventually transitioned into a different career. She added that even though she was not a high-income earner, she enjoyed a comfortable life with good food and the ability to send her children to a world-class education system. She emphasized that she appreciates these aspects of life in Singapore, and that she does not take them for granted.

Some commenters took offense to her statement that migrants may appreciate Singapore more than some locals. The post author clarified that her intention was not to compare the love for the country between migrants and locals. Instead, she used the word 'appreciate' instead of 'love' to distinguish the two emotions. She clarified that her post was about appreciation, not patriotism. She also expressed that she had not intended to offend anyone with her post and hoped that her point would not be misunderstood.