Systemic Discrimination

I am greatly fascinated by the law – an institution that can evoke feelings of safety and security within some, but fear within others. The divisions currently existing within the legal system, such as issues on the accessibility of justice, to more basic issues of misconceptions about the law, all play a part in exacerbating this disparity, while also paving the way for unfairness within the system. This, I believe, is deserving of much attention, especially so considering the great impact that the law has on every single person under its jurisdiction – shaping the way people behave and societies function.

Volunteering at the office of Cabinet Minister Lim Swee Say has brought me to the forefront of the inequality existing within Singapore’s

The sheer number of African-American individuals who fall victim to police brutality is astounding, as is the recent People v. Turner (2015) conviction, which ultimately saw Turner only serve three months in prison for rape. With the law serving as an institution meant to uphold the rights and ensure the protection of its people, to have the death of individuals such as Terence Crutcher and Alton Sterling at the hands of the police is perturbing. I have faith that the law, when wielded correctly, can help protect, not exacerbate, the overt discrimination that these vulnerable communities currently experience, and I hope to work towards a remedy for these problems that arise in the implementation of the

I further developed my critical thinking and argumentation skills gained as a competitive debater, while also capitalising on the value of objectivity honed in debates - considering opinions from an unbiased viewpoint, putting aside personal predispositions. Having also served as the president of the Debate Society allowed me to develop greater interpersonal, organisational, and leadership skills, which have proven to be useful during my tenure as Training Head of the Raffles Gavel Club, a subsidiary of the Toastmasters Organisation, as I negotiated between the differing demands posed by developing the skills of different members, all with varying public speaking abilities. Having to capitalise upon these skills developed in secondary school and through sport has also greatly affirmed my confidence in being able to apply these abilities in different contexts. As a tennis player and footballer, the experiences gained in both individual and team sports have enhanced my skills as an effective communicator, a team player, and in being able to cope with setbacks. I hope to be able to continue developing these skills in my future internships at the Legal Aid Bureau. Following my experience volunteering at the constituency legal clinic, I am motivated to learn more