Seasons of Darkness:Life for Minorities in Singapore
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http://geocities.com/wilfred_shimmen/
This is a good book that one should read.Also,non-Chinese and Chinese alike should refer to this quote;The Eurasian protagonist sees a Singapore heading into the 21st Century with the genuine multi-racial flavour of his society, (which had been created by Stamford Raffles and the colonial administrators after him), becoming a thing of the past. With the 'Overseas Chinese' kicked out of Vietnam and other 'Overseas Chinese' in the respective South East Asia societies in the region having to either assimilate or leave, the Chinese-dominant Singapore Government has created a 'Sino environment' on Singapore to attract ethnic-Chinese from abroad to settle in his island-home, while Eurasians like him are made to feel like outcasts.
This applies for any minority.Since I'm half-Chinese,I do not face this much difficulty,but I see a submergence of the other cultures and minoroties beneath a tide of Sinicisation.
He 'witnesses' the transformation of his island into a Sino-society - from place-names, ensuring that ethnic-Chinese hold key-posts in government, playing up the use of Mandarin-Chinese, the switching of dialect-names to Hanyu-Pinyin, to even the attempt to rewrite Singapore's Malay history to intimate that the island has always had a 'Chinese-connection', and the ignoring of Singapore's Malay history and connection.
Its visible in the people,in the culture,in the fabric.This is not the multiracial Singapore I was taught existed.It's eventually going to become a homogenous monster,if Singapore continues to follow this PAP directive. -
I am not comfortable with any Sinicisation, perhaps because I'm Peranakan/Borneo Chinese.
I have to admit I feel little affinity with the Chinese from the PRC. -
even a 100% Singapore Chinese would have little affinity with the PRCsOriginally posted by LazerLordz:I am not comfortable with any Sinicisation, perhaps because I'm Peranakan/Borneo Chinese.
I have to admit I feel little affinity with the Chinese from the PRC.
the only similarity we have is our skin colour, otherwise, culturally, mindset, everything else, is different
and the government in Beijing cannot claim sovereignty over any oversea Chinese or countries with large Chinese populations
in fact, the government in Beijing is not even the real ruler anyway, having taken over the country, and others like Tibet, by force -
I have japanese blood so both sides of my bloods are fighting - that may explain why my blood has problems literally - medical doctors hate to treat me because I am supposed to be anaemic when I am not - I got too much red blood cells.Originally posted by LazerLordz:I am not comfortable with any Sinicisation, perhaps because I'm Peranakan/Borneo Chinese.
I have to admit I feel little affinity with the Chinese from the PRC. -
This kind of post worries me. I think you are looking at something too narrow-mindedly, or rather, choosing to look at what you want to look.
Sinosation? What is this thing? I think this is a term thought up by some insecure and narrow-minded people.
Singapore which has 77% Chinese majority has kept using a neutral language, English, and also maintain the different mother tongues of the respective ethnic groups. There is no policy of assimilation of the minority ethnic groups, unlike for example Indonesia in the past, where Chinese was supposed to lose their cultural identity and adopt the native/ majority cultural identity.
Tell me, do u think the case happens in Singapore, where minority ethnic groups are being forcefully assimilated? How can it be, when mother tongues are being thought in schools, and media such as TV and Newspapers also have mother tongues editions for the respective ethnic groups.
All important religious dates/ calendar are also recognized as national holidays.
Anyone spewing racial hatred can be prosecuted, and prosecution did happen a few times already.
Everything here is fair or designed to be fair. All ethnic groups can retain their cultural identity and then there is a common space, a middle groud. A neutral Singapore society.
Do you not think, with 77% majority, if Chinese are chauvinists, it's very easy to do what u had painted in your first picture, and go all the way Chinese-culture?
By the way what language is the National Anthem, and the commands in military? And which ethnic group is Mr Dhanabalan, Mr Jayakumar, or the current president, Mr Nathan?
I think you are simply looking at what u want to look, and being a sceptic. Nothing concrete has been listed in your post, just some vague generalities about 'sinozation'. And just take a look at the title of this post: 'Seasons of Darkness: Life for Minorities in Singapore.'
Meat Pao. -
The issue here is that perhaps it's time to look towards a more unified Singaporean culture and identity and stop looking at ourselves along racial lines.
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OK WAT!Originally posted by fymk:I have japanese blood so both sides of my bloods are fighting - that may explain why my blood has problems literally - medical doctors hate to treat me because I am supposed to be anaemic when I am not - I got too much red blood cells. -
Sometime last year as I was about to go back to Japan after a short holiday in Singapore,I noticed some of the Police were having trouble with PRCs who refused to speak English and these people were Singapore passports holders,they were the Singapore badminton team going for a major competition in Tokyo.The frustrated Malay officer shouted at one of them"You Singaporean how come dont know how to speak English???" Then he went and asked everybody in line "You wat...badminton ar? And he got only "YES" from everyone but one because when it came to my turn I replied "PING PONG"
He then asked for my passport and saw a Japanese one....Scratched his head and said "macam macam lah" (all sorts of people) 
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Yeah...until some japanese tourist start testing me in colloquial tongue and I have to wakarimasen them.Originally posted by Short Ninja:OK WAT! -
When you are around people,and you are obviously not a Chinese-speaker,how does it feel if someone starts talking in Mandarin?Originally posted by Meat Pao:This kind of post worries me. I think you are looking at something too narrow-mindedly, or rather, choosing to look at what you want to look.
Sinosation? What is this thing? I think this is a term thought up by some insecure and narrow-minded people.
Singapore which has 77% Chinese majority has kept using a neutral language, English, and also maintain the different mother tongues of the respective ethnic groups. There is no policy of assimilation of the minority ethnic groups, unlike for example Indonesia in the past, where Chinese was supposed to lose their cultural identity and adopt the native/ majority cultural identity.
Tell me, do u think the case happens in Singapore, where minority ethnic groups are being forcefully assimilated? How can it be, when mother tongues are being thought in schools, and media such as TV and Newspapers also have mother tongues editions for the respective ethnic groups.
All important religious dates/ calendar are also recognized as national holidays.
Anyone spewing racial hatred can be prosecuted, and prosecution did happen a few times already.
Everything here is fair or designed to be fair. All ethnic groups can retain their cultural identity and then there is a common space, a middle groud. A neutral Singapore society.
Do you not think, with 77% majority, if Chinese are chauvinists, it's very easy to do what u had painted in your first picture, and go all the way Chinese-culture?
By the way what language is the National Anthem, and the commands in military? And which ethnic group is Mr Dhanabalan, Mr Jayakumar, or the current president, Mr Nathan?
I think you are simply looking at what u want to look, and being a sceptic. Nothing concrete has been listed in your post, just some vague generalities about 'sinozation'. And just take a look at the title of this post: 'Seasons of Darkness: Life for Minorities in Singapore.'
Meat Pao.
You obviously have not been in such a scenario.You obviously cannot speak Chinese,yet they speak it around you.It is insensitive and rude,yet they continue to do so.All you can do is adapt and live with it.Life is such.
The socialisation happens in a language you cannot speak,and you are cut off and isolated from the going ons.So have you been in such a scenario?
I admit the government has done much for harmony,but tell me,why is there a perception that if you are Chinese,you will more or less automatically get a PR status in Singapore,compared to a non-Chinese?
How come there are two Chinese channels,when one is obviously enough?
How many people actually understand the words of the national anthem,and the spirit in which it was made? -
I have to say what Saudakar has posted in his last post is quite true. As a majority, not many Singaporean Chinese really understand the difficulties non Chinese Singaporeans face in everyday Singaporean life. These talk of multi-racial tolerance, living together in harmony etc etc, it is mostly said and advertised by the majority.
Cos they don't really understand the situation that non-Chinese Singaporeans are in. That's why sometimes you get situations where the Chinese Singaporeans will automatically trail off to speaking in Mandarin / Dialect in a group discussion/conversation, knowing fully well there are non-Chinese individuals in the group.
In my experience, I have encountered many instances of this inability to understand. During my poly days, I used to meet up with an old secondary school friend, a Chinese gal, and we would walk to the polytechnic together. And while walking, vehicles used to whiz by us, with people shouting out, and whistling and wolf whistling. Of course, naturally, all by Chinese men. I guess they must have thought we were one of those "mixed couples".
During my NS days, it was even more interesting. Me and some close buddies, all non-Chinese of course, used to march to the cookhouse together as a small squad. And many a times, we were either pulled over by some staff sergeant complaining about us not having any Chinese in the group or hanging out together and isolating ourselves from the Chinese. Our company sergeant major once mentioned, that "it is very obvious when we march together."
I wonder why the same was not said when a group of all-Chinese march together....
Oh yeah by the way, I'm an Indian, who took Mandarin during my school days as my second language/mother tongue.
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Onward (or forward) Singapore.Originally posted by Sardaukar:When you are around people,and you are obviously not a Chinese-speaker,how does it feel if someone starts talking in Mandarin?
You obviously have not been in such a scenario.You obviously cannot speak Chinese,yet they speak it around you.It is insensitive and rude,yet they continue to do so.All you can do is adapt and live with it.Life is such.
The socialisation happens in a language you cannot speak,and you are cut off and isolated from the going ons.So have you been in such a scenario?
I admit the government has done much for harmony,but tell me,why is there a perception that if you are Chinese,you will more or less automatically get a PR status in Singapore,compared to a non-Chinese?
How come there are two Chinese channels,when one is obviously enough?
How many people actually understand the words of the national anthem,and the spirit in which it was made?
Majulah Singapore
Come fellow Singaporeans
Mari kita rakyat Singapura
Let's progress towards happiness together
Sama-sama menuju bahagia
May our noble aspirations bring success to Singapore
Cita-cita kita yang mulia
Berjaya Singapura
Come, lets unite as one
Marilah kita bersatu
In new spirit/vigour
Dengan semangat yang baru
let all proclaim
Semua kita berseru
Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura
I still remember how to sing it by heart. I am chinese who can speak basic malay because I grew up learning it (brought up overseas) then I had to learn mandarin. And I remember that I used to be isolated from other chinese kids because I couldn't speak a single shred of chinese at all and no hokkien. -
Racial co-existence is achievable but true racial harmony is difficult.
Even Malaysia faces the same situation. The Chinese think the Malays are lazy and the Malays think the Chinese are pompous.
If all Singaporeans can speak only English and Chinese, problem solved, isn't it?
The PAP cannot really be blamed. The education system ensures that all races are able to maintain the links to their culture by allowing students to choose their mother tongue.
If all Singaporeans have only one culture, problem solved too?
Fact is, our individual culture gives us a sense of identity. Once we have different cultures, it's human tendency to mix with those whom we feel at home with.
A Chinese would feel out of place at a Indian wedding and vice versa. Malays cannot attend Chinese weddings due to it's non-halal food preparation.
Do not be too offended if all start speaking Chinese when they obviously know you don't understand. What do you expect them to do? Speak English just for one's sake? Then it breaks their chemistry. -
Actually when I look at Malaysians overseas in Australia - I mix with them frequently more so than Singaporeans. In the melbourne Malaysian group (I call them that) whom I mix with more when I fly over ,it is made up of malays and chinese. Somehow I got pulled in because they thought I was malaysian when I started speaking in malay ....hahahaha
Very cute really. -
To tell you the truth, I don't care about whether a person is malay , indian or chinese. Wasn't because PAP instill that in me. Probably because my dad had friends who were indian, malay and chinese, so I was brought up seeing them as people than as separate races.Originally posted by Rock^Star:Racial co-existence is achievable but true racial harmony is difficult.
Even Malaysia faces the same situation. The Chinese think the Malays are lazy and the Malays think the Chinese are pompous.
If all Singaporeans can speak only English and Chinese, problem solved, isn't it?
The PAP cannot really be blamed. The education system ensures that all races are able to maintain the links to their culture by allowing students to choose their mother tongue.
If all Singaporeans have only one culture, problem solved too?
Fact is, our individual culture gives us a sense of identity. Once we have different cultures, it's human tendency to mix with those whom we feel at home with.
A Chinese would feel out of place at a Indian wedding and vice versa. Malays cannot attend Chinese weddings due to it's non-halal food preparation.
Do not be too offended if all start speaking Chinese when they obviously know you don't understand. What do you expect them to do? Speak English just for one's sake? Then it breaks their chemistry.
I enjoy mixing with everyone. Learn a culture. I learnt a few tamil words ( my indian friend used to knock her head on the wall and told me I canned her language) from old poly classmates , go to my malay classmate's house ( her granny would make alot of sambal balachan for me because I loved it).
In Australia , I mix with the caucasians and I can't give a damn if they are a majority, even within them there are croatians, greeks , italians and anglos. I have friends who are indigenous australians , Australian born chinese, cambodian, vietnamese , mixed as well as my Malaysian and Singaporean friends. -
Yah and they have some slangs different from ours because it's mostly Cantonese.Originally posted by fymk:Actually when I look at Malaysians overseas in Australia - I mix with them frequently more so than Singaporeans. In the melbourne Malaysian group (I call them that) whom I mix with more when I fly over ,it is made up of malays and chinese. Somehow I got pulled in because they thought I was malaysian when I started speaking in malay ....hahahaha
Very cute really.
One that especially struck me was that all Malays and Chinese use the word "lan see" which means proud. -
I dunno their proud is sombong not ian see.Originally posted by Rock^Star:Yah and they have some slangs different from ours because it's mostly Cantonese.
One that especially struck me was that all Malays and Chinese use the word "lan see" which means proud. -
Sombong is the proper Malay word. Lan see is cantonese and all use it.Originally posted by fymk:I dunno their proud is sombong not ian see.
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depends which area they come from. Ipoh has a slightly different slang from KLers and I mix with the KLers.Originally posted by Rock^Star:Sombong is the proper Malay word. Lan see is cantonese and all use it.
They use sombong mostly....like OI don't be so sombong lah..
One of the malay guys in melb speaks cantonese because he watch a heck lot of cantonese shows courtesy of tv3 -
Yes, probably I was referring more of KL.Originally posted by fymk:depends which area they come from. Ipoh has a slightly different slang from KLers and I mix with the KLers.
They use sombong mostly....like OI don't be so sombong lah..
One of the malay guys in melb speaks cantonese because he watch a heck lot of cantonese shows courtesy of tv3
I got 2 Malay friends who can speak Chinese and understand Cantonese too. Very hilarious, especially when they swear. -
some singaporean chinese can be very insensitive to the presence of non-chinese in their midst but then aren't singaporeans known to be social grace deficient?Originally posted by Sardaukar:When you are around people,and you are obviously not a Chinese-speaker,how does it feel if someone starts talking in Mandarin?
You obviously have not been in such a scenario.You obviously cannot speak Chinese,yet they speak it around you.It is insensitive and rude,yet they continue to do so.All you can do is adapt and live with it.Life is such.
The socialisation happens in a language you cannot speak,and you are cut off and isolated from the going ons.So have you been in such a scenario?
I admit the government has done much for harmony,but tell me,why is there a perception that if you are Chinese,you will more or less automatically get a PR status in Singapore,compared to a non-Chinese?
How come there are two Chinese channels,when one is obviously enough?
How many people actually understand the words of the national anthem,and the spirit in which it was made?
there maybe 2 chinese channels but there are even more english channels.
it will be good if we all can learn from fymk to be not bothered with the race thing. actually the minute if you view a person as a chinese, etc you are being racist. so, open up our minds! -
Sinicisation? U must be kidding!Originally posted by Sardaukar:http://geocities.com/wilfred_shimmen/
This is a good book that one should read.Also,non-Chinese and Chinese alike should refer to this quote;
This applies for any minority.Since I'm half-Chinese,I do not face this much difficulty,but I see a submergence of the other cultures and minoroties beneath a tide of Sinicisation.
Its visible in the people,in the culture,in the fabric.This is not the multiracial Singapore I was taught existed.It's eventually going to become a homogenous monster,if Singapore continues to follow this PAP directive.
The only "sinicisation" i see is the influx of PRC everywhere!!!!!
S'pore Chinese is only Chinese in skin, ang moh beneath. And Chinese language is on the rocks. Standard of Chinese language is pathetic in s'pore schools. Students know nuts abt Chinese stuff. English is supreme. Dunno what sinicisation u talking abt. -
Probably the ignorant and older generation (above 50 year old).When they come to SIngapore,they use their dialects on the sales girls at Isetan and they would still refer Singaporeans as "Gaijins" (foreigners)Originally posted by fymk:Yeah...until some japanese tourist start testing me in colloquial tongue and I have to wakarimasen them. -
Hahha at least it is gaijinOriginally posted by Short Ninja:Probably the ignorant and older generation (above 50 year old).When they come to SIngapore,they use their dialects on the sales girls at Isetan and they would still refer Singaporeans as "Gaijins" (foreigners)
Some huff and puff and go "CHUKOGUJIN" (chinese mainlander) with a huge sigh. -
There is nothing worrying here in fact this is a very good thread and we are intellect enough to handle such topic.Always good to know & respect what others are feeling or thinking.Originally posted by Meat Pao:This kind of post worries me. I think you are looking at something too narrow-mindedly, or rather, choosing to look at what you want to look.
Sinosation? What is this thing? I think this is a term thought up by some insecure and narrow-minded people.
Meat Pao.
Although I am no longer a SIngaporean but I want to tell you how I felt when I was one.I felt like a minority.I am a Chinese in all my legal documents but inside I am rojak...you could call it a racial identity problem because of my family background.Now I am living in Japan...all my legal documents says that I am a Japanese but in reality I am still a minority in Nippon.Someone mentioned about the number of TV programs or not being allowed to march as a group without the presence of a Chinese during NS days but for me I feel the sudden impact when people speak to me in a distinct way (their indirect but deliberate way of telling me that I am nothing more than a minority).
Here are a list of People in Singapore whom I consider minorities.
1) Malays (most ridiculed and misunderstood on the island)
2) Indians / Including Sikhs,Gujaratis,Sindhis.....etc(neutral race who is most assimilated into the society....... I like to call them true modern Singaporeans but..)
3)Eurasians (culturally confused bunch who dont know much about their true origins...Jews think of Isreal as their homeland but Eurasians could only dream of Australia & New Zealand)
4) Peranakan Chinese & Indonesian Chinese (merge these two together in a hope of reviving the baba culture but its not working)
5)Sinhalese (often mistaken as Indians but what to do? Born like that! Also a neutral hardworking race
6)Other Asian like Thais,Burmese,Banglas,Filipinos............etc (Trying to make a decent living and thankful to be singing the "Majullah Singapura")
7)Ang Moh (Not thankful to be singing the Anthem but having the best of both worlds)
Chiak Kantang Chinese (educated overseas_ forgotten,dont want to remember or do not know how to speak chinese usually talk about other countries but shy when talking about Singapore)
9)Racially mixed Chinese (you know I know -lah)
10)The "Invasion of the body snatchers" PRCs (these people are here not to assimilate but to convert you! and they are not even catholics> )
If I had missed out anyone please feel free to add and of course you could also flame me if you like