This is actually a survey I did quite a while ago, and thought it appropriate to be posted closer to National Day.
What do you think makes you Singaporean?
Its first and foremost because i grew up here, and accept everything around as my own. Singaporean is not a title and cannot be bestowed upon with just a passport. There has to be an integration into the local society. Eating at hawker centers, knowing the colloquial slang, as well as the intricate understandings of our unique situation as an nation state with its own
style of governance. Being Singaporean is (in addition to those already mentioned) having the characteristics that, lets say when overseas, and you see someone you will immediately know: “Ah! You’re from Singapore!”. Can it be explicitly stated? i don’t think so. Its just the way we respond to external stimuli that gives us our character.
What do you think is the Singaporean Identity?
Clean? Strict? Uncreative? These are stereotypes that others give us. I don’t think there is one Singapore identity. We are each unique and different, more so because of our immigrant heritage as well as the more recent influx of FT. Having no single identity is the Singapore way.
Do you think singing the anthem every morning cultivates patriotism?
Absolutely not.. Other than giving little kids a bit of vocal warm up in the mornings, its does not instill the national pride or identity or what not that those government planners thought it would. Having a pledge or anthem is an expression of nationalism. not the other way around.
Saying that, if we do love our county, then singing the anthem where appropriate, i.e. national day and when we go onto the international sporting arena for example, is important to show the world who we are.
Are you proud to be Singaporean?
I wouldn’t exactly say that I’m very proud, as there is much to be improved. We pale in relation to some areas like personal choice and politics and artistic expression, and that is more of an embarrassment. (recall the global criticism for barring the IMF protesters from entering the country?). however, for what we have achieved today from our humble fishing village beginnings, we can proudly proclaim our success.
What can be done to make Singaporeans more patriotic?
Well, one thing is to increase the level of citizen participation in national affairs. Our voting and political campaign system is a joke. The parties promise upgrading as a carrot to get voted. Are we all not Singaporean? It draws the line that only those who vote for them are citizens. We want to have a government that wins on merits alone, and not based on power.
The laws of unlawful assembly is an archaicism of the past where gangs and triads were predominant. Modern times call for revisions. So we can have rallies by the opposition rather than now where they are never granted a permit and always get themselves arrested.
Another way is to make every Singaporean feel that they matter. From the cleaner to the CEO. Everyone has to feel like they are wanted. If there were such a thing it would be rather complicated since for every level of society there is a different set of needs and wants.
Do you see see other races as Singaporean? Or as their specific race? e.g. Chinese, Indian, Malay
I grew up in HDB, neighborhood school etc. I have mixed with all races since i was born. So that makes everyone Singaporean. And because I’m not entirely Chinese, i suppose that makes me less likely to draw along racial lines.
