There are certain things in life that have through the passing of time taken a form of their own, becoming almost a definite kind of phenomena that people become accustomed to. Through repetitive in-building, overt indoctrination or even through the ever popular historic words of "mass propaganda"; certain ideals, values and beliefs are naturally constructed into the minds of individuals.
And before we know it- such things become a basic part and parcel of life.
On this day that we celebrate National Day, it is worth revisiting the very fundamental parts of this inherent in-built ideals and traditions. The National Pledge is one such example. And along with it the list includes that of the National Flag, the PAP, National Day Rally and even the National Day Parade itself. Or as an cumulative adjectival noun would put it- simply as tools or defining symbols of the Singapore Identity.
Yes, the Singapore Identity. Now contrary to popular belief, I actually do believe that such an identity exists. Many people will instantly associate things like the HDB flats, ERP, GST, the 5Cs etc. as part of the Singaporean persona.
But I am not talking about those things here. I am talking about the heart of being Singaporean. There is a major difference between inborn nature and developed preferences for an individual. In a simplified sense, its like saying force can be defined as mg, kx, GMM/r^2, PA etc. etc. but we all know it all comes down to just 1 thing- MA. Now those of you going blank now, fret now, it simply means that of total resultant force. Or in other words, it just means the core idea or in our current context, the main persona. And very interestingly but aptly, you will notice the idea of resultant force itself is always neglected. Say take a TYS question on forces, asking you to label all the corresponding forces in a system, theoretically speaking you won't label "MA" in as it is the resultant force. How peculiar you may ask!
That is my point precisely. As a society, we have become so immersed in all the minute tangible creations like the idea of a Singaporean dream in the form of the 5Cs, that we have forgotten what our core identity really is. We remember the esplanade/durians, we remember the F1 grand prix, we remember the National Stadium, but we forget the very basis of all these "forces". We have forgotten the magnitude of the heavy laden mass that our founding fathers had to carry. We have forgotten the direction of the envisioned acceleration of our country by our founding fathers.
We have failed to resolve the net force of it all.
So what then is the heart of our identity?
I thought through that question for a really long time and I realised that nothing illustrate the concepts involved better than the NDP theme songs.
Now think about this: Looking back at all the past annual NDP songs, have you ever asked which of these songs does not have the word "Singapore" in it? Huh? What has this got to do with anything?
If you were to look deeper, many of those songs that involve "Singapore" all reflect the various forces very very well. But as I have repeatedly said, there is no resultant force.
Hmm, so you can probably throw away the really cheesy ones like "Singapore Town" and recent ones like "Shine for Singapore" are out too.
Then what about classics like you know- "Stand up for Singapore", "1 ppl, 1 nation, 1 Singapore"/"We are Singapore", "Count on me Singapore"?
Seems decent you may say to reflect the Singapore Identity? No. The lack of subtly utterly deconstructs the purpose of such songs. Its like in physics the question always asks "so whats the force on blah blah", they don't bold or even put the word "resultant" in.
Nah I am overenforcing the metaphor but the point is the concept of an identity should be an obvious matter that need not be probed and hammered across like a chunk of propaganda. It should be a natural characteristic that people immediately resonate with when they feel it. Its just like bees get drawn naturally to honey, earthworms to the earth, leaves and plants to the sun and guys to girls(no just joking about the last one).
And in that sense, for the matter of NDP songs, Singapore should head in the direction of subtle yet recognisable songs that people can identify with immediately without direct references to Singapore itself.
On a broader context, just like a good piece of art, literature or for that matter music should contain a level of nuance and intricacy; the construct of an identity must be a delicate, subtle yet instinctive feeling that all Singaporeans should have.
For Singapore, I think it all goes down to its unique place in a deep yet young history, characterised so much by minor(as viewed by others) yet significant struggles and differences that we all went through. And as cliche as it seems, it is truly the common ground and heart that all Singaporeans have that really defines us as who we are. You may not admit it, but comparatively speaking, Singapore has a lot to be proud of in terms of its small yet united nitty community that has seen so much truimphs over the ages.
And on this National Day, as we consider all external forces and influences such as the economic crisis or Swine Flu epidemic that have affected our country, let us remind ourselves that for a system like ours that has attained prosperous growth in so many aspects, we must not forget the substrative laws and ideals that have shaped our nation. And in physics terms, I daresay our determined and united self, always firm in the face of foreign adversities simply concurs partially to that of Newton's first law of inertia- that our system will always continue in our state of motion,even if external forces existed.
Over these 44 years, many Singaporeans have come and go, been to places all around the world, achieving pinnacles in their respective fields. But I am sure many of them will always go back to this inherent dynamics question of what the Singaporean Identity really is. And as long as we do not forget this search for the resultant force, we will find our answer. For that is what home is really, a place where our identity is the strongest.
Showing posts with label National Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National Day. Show all posts
Sunday, August 9, 2009
We, the citizens of Singapore
09/08/09, 8.22 pm. The largest flash mob in Singapore’s history. Where every Singaporean, regardless of where they are would stand still, put their right fist over their hearts and say the Pledge with fervour and pride.
The exact time at 8.22pm does not symbolize, perhaps, the day of independence, or how old Singapore is. To quote from The Newpaper, “The chairman of the National Day Parade (NDP) executive committee, Brigadier-General Tan Chuan-Jin, 40, said: 'We did think of 8.44, but it was a bit too late in the NDP show. We also thought of 8.09 in honour of 9 Aug, but that would have been too early on in the show.”
Perhaps the choosing of this time is symbolic in itself, reflective of our nation’s often lauded principle of pragmatism.
Perhaps instead, the choosing of an arbitrary time to take the Pledge is unplanned and sudden, just as how Singapore’s separation from Malaysia was unintended.
But whatever the case, this rallying call for Singaporeans to take the Pledge to reaffirm our national identity, to recognise the sovereignty of our nation state, to celebrate Singapore’s success and to unite the nation in face of future challenges is a move that is to be applauded, not only for its novelty but also for what it stands for.
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Sometimes, when I watch an overseas drama serial and hear the word Singapore mentioned in it, I feel this weird sense of warmth and national pride. When I watch young children sing National Day songs on TV, I feel this same sense of warmth and national pride. When I see my grandfather hanging the Singapore flag outside our window, I again feel this sense of warmth and national pride.
The red and white and crescent and 5 stars on the Singapore flag does not only reflect our core values and ideals as a society; it symbolizes our independence, our sovereignty as a state, and more importantly, that we are no longer colonial slaves to some Western master, that today, we have the right and ability to control our own destiny. Like a part-timing teenager’s joy in achieving a certain level of financial independence, Singapore’s independence as a state is something to be celebrated. But amidst the frenzied joy and excitement of the National Day Parade, it is easy to forget what we are celebrating for, even why we are celebrating. So when we are singing along to the National Day songs or reciting the Pledge at exactly 8.22pm, it is important to reflect upon what it truly means to be a Singaporean, for you.
We have been reciting the Pledge almost everyday for the past 14 years, yet, or maybe because of this, we seem to forget the true meaning of the words of the Pledge.
It is then extremely apt how the Sunday Times phrased this statement by a Singaporean.
“Recent graduate E.Chin, 24, said he forgot the Pledge after studying overseas the past three years.”
In this case, what they are saying is that he has forgotten the lyrics of the Pledge. But forgetting the Pledge is not merely failing to remember what the contents of the Pledge are. It is losing sight of the ideals of our nation.
In our increasingly globalised world today, the age of cultural imperialism has arrived. We have lunch at McDonalds’, have a drink at Starbucks and wear I Love NY shirts proudly on our sleeves like a true, blue, fake American. Americanisation is so assimilated into our society that when I type McDonalds’ without the capital D, Microsoft Word autocorrects it into McDonalds’. Try typing iPod with a capital I and small p or Starbucks with a small s and the same happens. You get my point.
Sometimes, I feel ashamed when I see Singaporeans overtly worshipping foreign cultures over our own. Singaporean girls proudly wearing I Love NY T-shirts, and Singaporean men and their adopted Premier League football club cheering for Liverpool when they scored against Singapore. Ok, I “adopt” a Premier League football club too. But that’s because it is more fun to watch when you are supporting one side than when you are a neutral. But anyway that’s besides the point.
Yes, and you have the ultimate mockery of all. Elite students in school speaking with fake American accents, exclaiming that “I hate Chinese!” and wanting to migrate to some Western country once they have the chance. The irony of it all? These are the exact people who will be flying to UK or the USA on some government scholarship, the cream of the crop, the people supposedly groomed to be the future leaders of our country. Well, that is, if they don’t leave the country and migrate right after they finish serving their compulsory 6 year bond in some Ministry.
Enough of all these white supremacy nonsense. Worshipping foreign countries, foreign cultures and foreigners like they are some god. Ultimately, this overly used, supposedly “propaganda” National Education message summarises it best. “Singapore is our homeland, this is where we belong.” You might be laughing when you read this quote, and I don’t blame you. It is extremely easy for the cynical youth of today, like us, to hastily dismiss every overt National Education message as propaganda. I am often guilty of that. Yet when we look beyond the superficial words into the true intention and meaning of the message, we know we agree with it.
Anyway, back to the point. Yes, you can speak like an American, watch American TV, study in America or dye your hair blonde. But therein remains the bare facts that you were never, and will never become a true “American”, or for that matter, a true “Westerner”. So to all the white worshippers out there, I’m sorry. You can try your best, but you can never change your skin colour, your heritage and where you were born.
Nobody’s stopping you though. You can go be your pseudo Westerner or second-class citizen in your adopted Western country for all I care. But for me, I know that wherever I study or work in future, I will always be a Singaporean. Often,I may criticise the education system, the political system, the lack of media freedom or any other aspect of life here in Singapore, but ultimately, I know that I love Singapore for its own sake.
Because “Singapore is my homeland, this is where I belong.”
The exact time at 8.22pm does not symbolize, perhaps, the day of independence, or how old Singapore is. To quote from The Newpaper, “The chairman of the National Day Parade (NDP) executive committee, Brigadier-General Tan Chuan-Jin, 40, said: 'We did think of 8.44, but it was a bit too late in the NDP show. We also thought of 8.09 in honour of 9 Aug, but that would have been too early on in the show.”
Perhaps the choosing of this time is symbolic in itself, reflective of our nation’s often lauded principle of pragmatism.
Perhaps instead, the choosing of an arbitrary time to take the Pledge is unplanned and sudden, just as how Singapore’s separation from Malaysia was unintended.
But whatever the case, this rallying call for Singaporeans to take the Pledge to reaffirm our national identity, to recognise the sovereignty of our nation state, to celebrate Singapore’s success and to unite the nation in face of future challenges is a move that is to be applauded, not only for its novelty but also for what it stands for.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sometimes, when I watch an overseas drama serial and hear the word Singapore mentioned in it, I feel this weird sense of warmth and national pride. When I watch young children sing National Day songs on TV, I feel this same sense of warmth and national pride. When I see my grandfather hanging the Singapore flag outside our window, I again feel this sense of warmth and national pride.
The red and white and crescent and 5 stars on the Singapore flag does not only reflect our core values and ideals as a society; it symbolizes our independence, our sovereignty as a state, and more importantly, that we are no longer colonial slaves to some Western master, that today, we have the right and ability to control our own destiny. Like a part-timing teenager’s joy in achieving a certain level of financial independence, Singapore’s independence as a state is something to be celebrated. But amidst the frenzied joy and excitement of the National Day Parade, it is easy to forget what we are celebrating for, even why we are celebrating. So when we are singing along to the National Day songs or reciting the Pledge at exactly 8.22pm, it is important to reflect upon what it truly means to be a Singaporean, for you.
We have been reciting the Pledge almost everyday for the past 14 years, yet, or maybe because of this, we seem to forget the true meaning of the words of the Pledge.
It is then extremely apt how the Sunday Times phrased this statement by a Singaporean.
“Recent graduate E.Chin, 24, said he forgot the Pledge after studying overseas the past three years.”
In this case, what they are saying is that he has forgotten the lyrics of the Pledge. But forgetting the Pledge is not merely failing to remember what the contents of the Pledge are. It is losing sight of the ideals of our nation.
In our increasingly globalised world today, the age of cultural imperialism has arrived. We have lunch at McDonalds’, have a drink at Starbucks and wear I Love NY shirts proudly on our sleeves like a true, blue, fake American. Americanisation is so assimilated into our society that when I type McDonalds’ without the capital D, Microsoft Word autocorrects it into McDonalds’. Try typing iPod with a capital I and small p or Starbucks with a small s and the same happens. You get my point.
Sometimes, I feel ashamed when I see Singaporeans overtly worshipping foreign cultures over our own. Singaporean girls proudly wearing I Love NY T-shirts, and Singaporean men and their adopted Premier League football club cheering for Liverpool when they scored against Singapore. Ok, I “adopt” a Premier League football club too. But that’s because it is more fun to watch when you are supporting one side than when you are a neutral. But anyway that’s besides the point.
Yes, and you have the ultimate mockery of all. Elite students in school speaking with fake American accents, exclaiming that “I hate Chinese!” and wanting to migrate to some Western country once they have the chance. The irony of it all? These are the exact people who will be flying to UK or the USA on some government scholarship, the cream of the crop, the people supposedly groomed to be the future leaders of our country. Well, that is, if they don’t leave the country and migrate right after they finish serving their compulsory 6 year bond in some Ministry.
Enough of all these white supremacy nonsense. Worshipping foreign countries, foreign cultures and foreigners like they are some god. Ultimately, this overly used, supposedly “propaganda” National Education message summarises it best. “Singapore is our homeland, this is where we belong.” You might be laughing when you read this quote, and I don’t blame you. It is extremely easy for the cynical youth of today, like us, to hastily dismiss every overt National Education message as propaganda. I am often guilty of that. Yet when we look beyond the superficial words into the true intention and meaning of the message, we know we agree with it.
Anyway, back to the point. Yes, you can speak like an American, watch American TV, study in America or dye your hair blonde. But therein remains the bare facts that you were never, and will never become a true “American”, or for that matter, a true “Westerner”. So to all the white worshippers out there, I’m sorry. You can try your best, but you can never change your skin colour, your heritage and where you were born.
Nobody’s stopping you though. You can go be your pseudo Westerner or second-class citizen in your adopted Western country for all I care. But for me, I know that wherever I study or work in future, I will always be a Singaporean. Often,I may criticise the education system, the political system, the lack of media freedom or any other aspect of life here in Singapore, but ultimately, I know that I love Singapore for its own sake.
Because “Singapore is my homeland, this is where I belong.”
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