Mailbag
Experienced job applicants without a degree can also be suitable candidates
It is not surprising that Robert Chow Yung lost his temper with legislators Cheung Man-kwong and Emily Lau Wai-hing concerning his fitness for the post of RTHK director, 'Trio bemused by degree broadside' (South China Morning Post, February 26).
I cannot judge his ability because I do not know the man. What I do know is that these two legislators, in their criticism of Mr Chow, have proved themselves to be both arrogant and ignorant. Or is it some prejudiced political agenda they stick to?
Fitness for a post depends mainly on ability and experience in the field. Without mentioning his name, I know a person who never had the chance to study at university but who is now, after many years of experience in the Information Department, a brilliant writer. These legislators may not know that one of the senior secretaries in the Legislative Council who, although through misfortune had never studied to university level, was selected as the best candidate for a high post among several applicants with degrees. She proved herself totally suitable for the job.
On the other hand, I am sure many readers could name a president who attended a top university, but seems to have learned nothing either from study or experience.
It will remain in my mind forever and has kept me humble how, on my first day at university, the lecturer warned his students: 'You probably feel smart because you have entered university, but before you graduate, you will realise how little you know.'
He was right. University is mostly book learning and lectures.
Expertise comes from what we do in our careers, our practical experience, natural ability and dedication to the job. If we want equal opportunities for all, could these legislators cease their nit-picking.
Do they demand that all legislators must be university graduates? Or do they choose their own targets for criticism, based on blinkered political prejudices?
ELSIE TU, Kwun Tong
Nude photos a lesson on the celebrity lifestyle
The recent nude photos scandal rings alarm bells concerning the lifestyles of the younger generation of celebrities. Some of them are famous for their 'pure girl' image, yet some of them have indirectly admitted that they had once agreed to having explicit photos of them taken. They said it was because they were naive. Really?
The society at large can learn a few things from this scandal. Firstly, what is the relationship between the real and the virtual reality of cyberspace?
Should cyberspace enjoy the same freedom as the real society? What would be the damage and potential consequences if freedom was not restricted?
Secondly, the consent for taking explicit photos. Teenagers and even adults should think twice about agreeing to such action. Its impact can be truly devastating, as demonstrated by the incident.
Thirdly, the inappropriate coverage of the issue by the media and the press. The scandal has been headline news in most newspapers and magazines for weeks now, and this has actually worsened the situation for the celebrities. Is there really a need for such extensive and repeated coverage of the progress of the incident?
Lastly, on the issue of when one should make an apology and how. This is the perfect educational material for all teenagers wishing to get into the entertainment field. Do not enter if you are still naive (but sadly, you won't know).
H.C. BEE, Ho Man Tin
Race the reason whites flee schools with Asians
With regard to your headline 'Australian white flight from public schools' (South China Morning Post, March 11) because of Asian enrollment, the excuse given was the most preposterous crock I have read in years. It said that white students flee because they do not want to compete academically with Asian students.
Heck, Indians and East Asians are well known for their academic excellence in English-language schools and colleges.
From my own experience, open-minded white parents are eager to enrol their children in schools with Asian high-achievers so that excellence and competition would rub off from their classmates.
The current white flight is definitely an open expression of segregation and racial intolerance.
I have spent many years living with white folks, black brothers and Hispanic honchos in North America.
People express their views on race all the time, and yet there is always somebody who would whitewash the whole issue and pretend racial intolerance is not to be blamed.
BILL KING WONG, North Point