I have read the article by AWARE, and both the articles in the links (One by Fitri, and the other by Nicholas). This is just my humble opinion after reading. Let me being:
First of all, I was greatly shocked by the article. It struck me as an article with points contaminated by shallow judgments. Being a known establishment in Singapore, I was exceptionally surprised at the contents of that article.
I agree with them that the stanza of the song (Purple Light) being labeled as abusive language. Following that, they explained how they got wind from some of the men at their workshop pertaining to this part of the song, and subsequently sending a letter to MINDEF notifying them of this issue. MINDEF then step in to halt the singing of the lyrics.
However, this is where everything starts to go wrong. The article went on to describe how they were abused verbally on Facebook, and even listed out the various abuses they cleverly picked to form sentences which explicitly make them look like they are the better-cultured (meaning better arguments) here even though a simple “We were criticized vehemently on Facebook” would suffice. Look, internet is a double-edged sword. People post mere words that don’t physically harm anybody, and hiding behind the screen with a keyboard, they are allowed to exaggerate their angst with extreme vulgarities and uncouth language without being scared of a confrontation. This will not be the case ultimately if they are talking face-to-face with AWARE. Honestly, that whole paragraph gives me the impression that the writer is just venting HER egoistic frustration caused by all these abusers in a formal article. Come on, even Youtubers suffer abuses and they get over it knowing that it is inevitable in the web’s humungous world.
The next sentence confused me. In fact, the last sentence, “....with my rifle, and my buddy and me”, isn’t literal. The sentence is just there because every stanza of Purple Light ends with that sentence and the main message is whatever that is before the sentence. In the case, it is the booking out, the girlfriend cheating, the killing of the man she cheated with and the raping of the girlfriend. I smiled, knowing that the writer is obviously inexperienced and sour.
Personally, I have never been comfortable singing that raping part too. I’d prefer slap, beat or kill. Nonetheless, I am aware the WORLDDOESN’T REVOVLE AROUND ME, and so I often go silent for that particular word.
Moving on, the article brought out main points from the criticisms.
I agree with the first point. Yes, the song is not original and I can see AWARE isn’t clamping down on the whole song and its history.
Second point: The fact that AWARE did not pick on the phrase “kill the man” which promotes violence and taking of lives under the influence of anger, proves that AWARE is bias and is not standing at a neutral point of view. Take note of the way the article immediately defended with a vain argument - that AWARE only sides the female population. If AWARE is a morally-righteous organization with a goal for the betterment of Singapore’s society, shouldn’t they dedicate a few words to the violence behind killing of people as well?
The second part, when being asked about sexual assault against men, the article took the neutral point of view in a flash, quoting “regardless of the gender(s) of the victim or perpetrator”. This shows that they are not ready at all to stand up for male victims. Why? As long as you are a male, you will be looked upon with a crooked eye by AWARE. (Just like racism)
Point three is the sole point that I agree with. Frankly, yes, joking about it all the time across the entire military organization may evidently make the action a potential reaction when someone does cheat on somebody. Nobody can safely promise that they are in control when extreme anger takes over the mind. Read the point in the article to know more.
Forth point: “Because AWARE doesn’t serve NS” is a petty way for saying “AWARE doesn’t know what it is like inside and thus is in no place to comment on the way of living of the NSFs and men.” To this, they immediately hid behind the NSmen who initiated this topic. Also, if National Service does have that big of an impact on people’s lives, theoretically, shouldn’t we observe an increase in the amount of rape cases after the invention of such lyrics? Why wait until now if that is the case? Now this point is built on pure assumption and zero studies. Just another shallow way of an attempt to defend themselves.
The next two sub-points are entirely irrelevant to the topic, and brought up by Facebook comments which I have no idea why. Thus, I, with agreement, will not go into it further.
The fifth point explains the motto of AWARE, to which I am not going to comment.
I am going to say this before the conclusion. The writer is of this article is a female, and I am quite sure about this assumption. The reason is that her points are all acceptable, but the way she elaborated on most of the points shows that she is undoubtedly unknowledgeable of the National Service and she is uninformed of the situation and the things guys and some girls are doing to defend Singapore and deter foreign hostility. Thus, she is in no position to debate about this. I very much prefer the way Fitri wrote his thoughts on this matter. AWARE should be more practical and sensible when they want to publish an article in their defense. Also, since AWARE is an organization that fights for women’s rights in situations where they are abused or discriminated. On that, this means that AWARE is supposed to be morally-upright and neutral when dealing with situations. I don’t see it in this article.
I will end off with my opinion on point six. You know why people “spent so much time writing over 700 comments on Facebook” just to criticize you? Well, let me give you a clue. Is it because YOU’RE AN ORGANISATION, AND YOU’VE JUST DID SOMETHING THAT AFFECTED SERVERAL HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LIVES. What is 700 compared to the aforementioned number? Did you spend any effort to grasp the entire situation completely before shooting a letter to MINDEF? Even if you say yes, I highly suspect it.
Women say it is impossible for men to understand women. So men stopped trying. Women cannot understand men too, but they think they can. Now somebody is trying to intrude a man’s world, and men still don’t understand women. Ladies and Gentlemen, be AWARE.
David
TRS Contributor
Related:
AWARE Singapore: The perplexing case of Purple Light
Purple Light, rape, and the real reason men are angry with Aware
8 REASONS WHY IT’S OKAY FOR NATIONAL SERVICE MEN TO SING ABOUT RAPE