Yesterday, Feng Tianwei won a Bronze medal in the Table-Tennis Women's Singles. Singapore's first individual medal since the 60s. Tuned in just in time to watch the match point.... Was really really happy for her! Singapore really deserved it too. 4th place for the last 3 Olympics (Jing Junhong at Sydney, Lee Jiawei at Athens AND Beijing)... It's about time :)!
Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, news of her win was followed with rubbish comments on sg.yahoo... The usual stuff on "imported talent", China Team B, wasting tax-payers money, nothing to be proud of etc (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/a-bronze-medal--but-at-what-cost-for-singapore-.html). To be fair, I've been guilty of jumping on this bandwagon in the past... So I am in no position to judge, and I won't. Somehow my views on this, and the issue on FTs in general has "evolved" (as have my views on same-sex marriage, reference to Obama) significantly in the past 4 years. Maybe, when you become a minority, you become a lot more sensitive to minorities in general.
In any case, I was genuinely and profoundly affected by the comments. Perhaps even more so than at the xenophobic backlash in response to the "Ferrari" incident, though that was pretty disturbing too. Singaporeans accuse Tianwei (and her predecessors) of not being Singaporean, not inducted the ways of Singaporean life, and therefore, not fit to represent Singapore. But really, say if she really did try to BE Singaporean...if she did love this country who gave her a second life, a better one, would "we" really give her chance? Or would "we" just raise the bar again... saying things like "oh, she doesn't speak Singlish". BTW, Singlish is a REALLY difficult language to learn if you didn't grow up in Singapore. There's no Singlish textbook, and certainly no Singlish lessons. More importantly, if you speak English/Chinese, people understand you so there's really no impetus to pick up the idiosyncrasies that differentiate Singlish from it's two main parent languages. We take it for granted because it's become second nature to us. I count Singlish as my first language actually.
Anyway, I digress. On some level, I really do think Tianwei loves Singapore, at the very least, she would be grateful. I know if I were in her position, I would be, regardless of my country of birth. But then again, it's kind of hard to love a country where a significant portion of the population thinks you don't belong? But say she did, would the average Singaporean accept her? I really doubt it, not at the rate things are going.
Perhaps this is something unique to sports, that it's unethical to "buy" imported sports talent. But really, I don't think my current reaction pertains solely to Singaporean attitudes to sportsman, but rather it's relevant to Singaporean attitude to foreigners in general. Just look at the Singapore IBO and IMO team... best performance in years... and instead of congratulating them... the first thing people noticed and commented on was that their names sounded PRC?! For the record, only Singaporeans and Singaporean PRs can represent Singapore at International Olympiads.... Which means that these competitors were probably Singaporean, or at the very least, foreigners who came to Singapore at a very young age... So unless your definition of Singaporean is incredibly warped (which it might be), I would say that they are Singaporeans.
Why am I getting so personal? Maybe this negative reaction stems from fear, a personal fear. Now I am the foreigner. I am the FOB who's here to "steal" your academic awards in college, your jobs after college, and welfare benefits after retirement. I remember the days when I used to complain how the Chinese scholars dominated school rankings (I repent). Oh, how the tables have turned. Now I am afraid, I'm afraid that no matter what I do or not do, I'll never be accepted in this society. Because I am well, different. I speak with a strange accent (which I have neither the ability nor the desire to change); I will always dislike steak and hamburgers (even less desire to change that); and I'll always prefer Jay Chou to Jay-Z.
If we were to apply Jeffery Oon's definition of true-blue Singaporean, I will never be considered American. So, of course, I am afraid. Because for all the problems with American politics (and on some level, religion)... I think I'm starting to really like this country. I want to stay here after graduation and yes, I do want my kids to grow up here. But what if I'm never socially accepted?
Yet, I am hopeful. I am optimistic. Yes, there have been pockets of discrimination, and times where I've felt so different from those around me that I ask myself what the hell am I doing here. But you know what, not once have I ever felt the strong and focal contempt against foreigners that I now sense in Singapore? Granted, I've been living in a bubble in the past 3 years. When I do look outside the bubble, discrimination and prejudice are not all that uncommon. But every time there had been a racist or nationalist outburst against foreigners or immigrants, there had been an equal and opposite voice condemning it. And that gives me hope. As do the people who clamor for the passing for the dream act, or those whose relentless effort have made same-sex marriage possible. That's the second time I brought same-sex marriage up, and no I am not gay. Neither was Jeff Bezos. At least in this country, I know that there are people who would stand up for the concept of equality and fairness. Such things give me hope. And honestly, I think I have more hope of being accepted as a first-gen American than a Singaporean who didn't serve NS.
Every year, at Princeton Reunions, I see a concise summary of American history post 1900s.
First come the Old Guard - White Males and their spouses (usually with a dog too)
Then the African-Americans.
Then the Women.
Then the Asians.
I've always wondered, what do the Old White People think about the radical change in our school demography? Were they angry, that their legacy was being tainted by the influx of Asians and Asian-Americans? Maybe they are some who hold this view. But by and large, I sense no discontent. If anything, they are the nicest bunch of old people I've met. Pass by them during P-rade and they won't hesitate to give you a high-five... Sure, Princeton Alums are hardly representative of 99% of the American population... but you know what, I choose to be gullible and naive. Because those high-fives give me hope. And hope keeps me going.
Back to same issue in Singapore. My attitude reversal towards foreigners might have stemmed more from fear than from actual maturity. So I claim no moral high-ground, but I do implore Singaporeans to try putting their feet in the shoes of foreigners. Give them a chance.
I typed this all at one go. There's more I had wanted to say but my eyes are tired. Apologies that the second part of the post is a lot less coherent and well thought-out. And I should really go back to my simulations. Need to work hard, so that I can ACTUALLY stay here after graduation :p!
PS. Lee Chong Wei made it through to the semis! Malaysia Boleh!
PPS. 丹麦不老神童 Peter Gade crashed out.... Sighs :(!
Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, news of her win was followed with rubbish comments on sg.yahoo... The usual stuff on "imported talent", China Team B, wasting tax-payers money, nothing to be proud of etc (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/a-bronze-medal--but-at-what-cost-for-singapore-.html). To be fair, I've been guilty of jumping on this bandwagon in the past... So I am in no position to judge, and I won't. Somehow my views on this, and the issue on FTs in general has "evolved" (as have my views on same-sex marriage, reference to Obama) significantly in the past 4 years. Maybe, when you become a minority, you become a lot more sensitive to minorities in general.
In any case, I was genuinely and profoundly affected by the comments. Perhaps even more so than at the xenophobic backlash in response to the "Ferrari" incident, though that was pretty disturbing too. Singaporeans accuse Tianwei (and her predecessors) of not being Singaporean, not inducted the ways of Singaporean life, and therefore, not fit to represent Singapore. But really, say if she really did try to BE Singaporean...if she did love this country who gave her a second life, a better one, would "we" really give her chance? Or would "we" just raise the bar again... saying things like "oh, she doesn't speak Singlish". BTW, Singlish is a REALLY difficult language to learn if you didn't grow up in Singapore. There's no Singlish textbook, and certainly no Singlish lessons. More importantly, if you speak English/Chinese, people understand you so there's really no impetus to pick up the idiosyncrasies that differentiate Singlish from it's two main parent languages. We take it for granted because it's become second nature to us. I count Singlish as my first language actually.
Anyway, I digress. On some level, I really do think Tianwei loves Singapore, at the very least, she would be grateful. I know if I were in her position, I would be, regardless of my country of birth. But then again, it's kind of hard to love a country where a significant portion of the population thinks you don't belong? But say she did, would the average Singaporean accept her? I really doubt it, not at the rate things are going.
Perhaps this is something unique to sports, that it's unethical to "buy" imported sports talent. But really, I don't think my current reaction pertains solely to Singaporean attitudes to sportsman, but rather it's relevant to Singaporean attitude to foreigners in general. Just look at the Singapore IBO and IMO team... best performance in years... and instead of congratulating them... the first thing people noticed and commented on was that their names sounded PRC?! For the record, only Singaporeans and Singaporean PRs can represent Singapore at International Olympiads.... Which means that these competitors were probably Singaporean, or at the very least, foreigners who came to Singapore at a very young age... So unless your definition of Singaporean is incredibly warped (which it might be), I would say that they are Singaporeans.
Why am I getting so personal? Maybe this negative reaction stems from fear, a personal fear. Now I am the foreigner. I am the FOB who's here to "steal" your academic awards in college, your jobs after college, and welfare benefits after retirement. I remember the days when I used to complain how the Chinese scholars dominated school rankings (I repent). Oh, how the tables have turned. Now I am afraid, I'm afraid that no matter what I do or not do, I'll never be accepted in this society. Because I am well, different. I speak with a strange accent (which I have neither the ability nor the desire to change); I will always dislike steak and hamburgers (even less desire to change that); and I'll always prefer Jay Chou to Jay-Z.
If we were to apply Jeffery Oon's definition of true-blue Singaporean, I will never be considered American. So, of course, I am afraid. Because for all the problems with American politics (and on some level, religion)... I think I'm starting to really like this country. I want to stay here after graduation and yes, I do want my kids to grow up here. But what if I'm never socially accepted?
Yet, I am hopeful. I am optimistic. Yes, there have been pockets of discrimination, and times where I've felt so different from those around me that I ask myself what the hell am I doing here. But you know what, not once have I ever felt the strong and focal contempt against foreigners that I now sense in Singapore? Granted, I've been living in a bubble in the past 3 years. When I do look outside the bubble, discrimination and prejudice are not all that uncommon. But every time there had been a racist or nationalist outburst against foreigners or immigrants, there had been an equal and opposite voice condemning it. And that gives me hope. As do the people who clamor for the passing for the dream act, or those whose relentless effort have made same-sex marriage possible. That's the second time I brought same-sex marriage up, and no I am not gay. Neither was Jeff Bezos. At least in this country, I know that there are people who would stand up for the concept of equality and fairness. Such things give me hope. And honestly, I think I have more hope of being accepted as a first-gen American than a Singaporean who didn't serve NS.
Every year, at Princeton Reunions, I see a concise summary of American history post 1900s.
First come the Old Guard - White Males and their spouses (usually with a dog too)
Then the African-Americans.
Then the Women.
Then the Asians.
I've always wondered, what do the Old White People think about the radical change in our school demography? Were they angry, that their legacy was being tainted by the influx of Asians and Asian-Americans? Maybe they are some who hold this view. But by and large, I sense no discontent. If anything, they are the nicest bunch of old people I've met. Pass by them during P-rade and they won't hesitate to give you a high-five... Sure, Princeton Alums are hardly representative of 99% of the American population... but you know what, I choose to be gullible and naive. Because those high-fives give me hope. And hope keeps me going.
Back to same issue in Singapore. My attitude reversal towards foreigners might have stemmed more from fear than from actual maturity. So I claim no moral high-ground, but I do implore Singaporeans to try putting their feet in the shoes of foreigners. Give them a chance.
I typed this all at one go. There's more I had wanted to say but my eyes are tired. Apologies that the second part of the post is a lot less coherent and well thought-out. And I should really go back to my simulations. Need to work hard, so that I can ACTUALLY stay here after graduation :p!
PS. Lee Chong Wei made it through to the semis! Malaysia Boleh!
PPS. 丹麦不老神童 Peter Gade crashed out.... Sighs :(!
