Hi,
This is an essay I wrote as a reflection. Can you look through it for me? Tell me what you think ;] especially if it sounds racist or whatever. If it is the case, I don't mean to do that at all. It's really just my personal opinion over the time... you know (:
TRADITIONAL COSTUMES
Traditional costumes are peculiar to or characteristic of a certain nation or ethnic group, which usually retains strong elements of the culture from which it originates. In areas where contemporary Western fashions have become usual, traditional costumes are often worn in connection with special events and celebrations, particularly those connected with cultural traditions, heritage, or pride. Some countries even have their traditional costumes as the uniform of the national airline stewardesses to promote their culture to passengers.
My mother is a big fan of the delicate "ao dai". As a diplomat, she has always brought "ao dai" to introduce to our neighbours around the region. She has a full admirable album of the pictures she took of her dressed gracefully in different types of "ao dai", which I have always looked at with pure admiration. There, I grew up, taking great pride in my traditional costume. Wearing traditional costume shows a sense of loyalty and pride of one's nation; and long ago, I made a promise to myself that one day, I would be like my mother, sharing our love for "ao dai" to the world.
That day had come. Last year, I had the first chance to showcase my "ao dai" to my Singaporean friends during Racial Harmony Day celebration. The schoolyard was painted with a myriad of colours from the traditional costumes. However, I realised that nobody was wearing their ethnic costumes; they were all in the clothes of other races. In one corner, my Chinese-descended friends were struggling to tug the nine-meter-strip of silk into their PE shorts instead of the traditional petticoat of the elegant Indian ladies. I had never expected anything like that. The traditional costume of a race or a nation is something sacred, something that I will never compromise over. It is the symbol of one tradition, a signature of honour and loyalty for a historic culture. Putting on another traditional costume in my opinion then, was plain disrespectful for your own ancestors. And for the Indian girls, I wondered if they were aghast to see their costumes wrongly worn. Nearby, a Malay girl was running to catch her friends in the feminine "cheongsam". Even my teacher, an Indian native, was wearing "kabaya" of the Indonesian. I was simply at a loss for words. Had the elegant traditional costumes become just another brainchild of fashion? Had traditional clothes ceased to matter in this cosmopolitan city of Singapore?
Time has given me the answer. After a year and a half living in this melting pot of culture, I realise that traditional costumes have never lost their meaning. As a multi-racial country, Singapore has been striving to bring their citizens together as one people. By wearing other races' traditional costumes, these people do not neglect their own cultural identity; instead they express their appreciation and respect towards the other cultures. These people are not shaming their ancestors, but they are showing a good will to reach out to other friends and embrace their heritage. The traditional costumes turn out to have gained more importance in the current days. They are no more just an identity; they have become a bridge, joining people with the uniqueness of their heritage.
Ultimately, traditional costumes are just clothes; what makes them stand out is the underlying intention of not only representing a group of people, but also joining this group of people with the other groups harmoniously. This year's Racial Harmony Day, I am planning to exchange my "ao dai" for my roommate's "cheongsam". This way, my "ao dai" can truly shine in the celebratory atmosphere of the day.
Great job! Watch the use of your quotation marks. There was no need to use them with the names of the different outfits because those are the actual names of the costumes. If you were being sarcastic or using the name in a context other than its own, you could use the quotes; as you were not, there is no need.
I didn't think it sounded racist at all; on the contrary, you explained your viewpoint in a way that showed your initial confusion, your inevitable understanding, and your current adaptation. Keep up the good work!
I think it could go either way. You could write a personal recount in present tense, and a reflection in past tense, but I don't think there's a large significant difference in this case.
