Dear The Real Singapore,
So recently I came up with this video on youtube which is going like really viral on Youtube and Facebook. With this girl with cool hair and a cute face having spongebob in background. Anyway if you haven't watched it, here's the link.
So tada, let's start. Okay first of all I don't like K-pop. And the first time I heard "K-Pop star hunt" was from your video. Now that I googled it, okay it looks cool. Starting with the video, okay so You got cheated by this so called K-Pop guy for having to sing Korean songs in K-pop Star hunt finals and not getting the big present for getting in to last 4.
So as any idiot in this earth understand, K-pop star hunt literally means that they are hunting for a K-pop star. (Those who have no idea about K-pop, it's some western wannabe pop songs in South Korea having guys with cool hair and dresses and one of the major reasons Kim Jong-un is pissed with them. )
So even this organizer or friend lied to you it's obvious that, If I organized a K-pop competition, I do would expect the participants to sing a Korean song in finals. That totally makes sense. And your big present, I'm really sorry about it. But welcome to the real world. So your introduction argument ; invalid. People get cheated, and it's not a reason not to be proud of. No sooner girls will go like, "My boyfriend cheated on me, he's Singaporean, Gotta hate this nation." Well, over-generallization I should say. And okay you're the first Singaporean to get in to the finals of K-pop Star hunt, Jesus.
So we come to your first point, "Singapore is no place for an Artist." Why? because priority is for the doctors, engineers etc. And let's get this clear. There are no places for artists. Where god gives you all the studios and cameras and mikes and an audience. Well maybe in heaven, but not in this earth. Another thing, anyone can be an Artist, so let's assume that the 'artist' you're talking about here is e Famous artist. Fame is hard to gain, in any place on earth. That's why all the people in church choirs aren't famous. Talent and being an artist? Two different things. Nobody becomes an artist after gettting a degree or diploma about it. So this 'forbidden path' we are talking about, it's everywhere. Just because an Artist doesn't get paid much in a country, it doesn't make it a bad one. And guess what? right this moment, You're getting famous. And who's making you famous? People in Singapore. So no sooner you'd be getting in to your dream of being the Artist and the people who made you there would be Singaporeans. Ironic.
Second point, "Singaporeans are narrow minded." where you bring up the minimum wage. And you start bending quite a bit and your cleavage... Sorry, where was I? Okay the minimum wage. You compare Australian hourly rate with Singapore. Why? Okay it's because Australia is the country you know about, apparently. So Australians get $20 per hour and we get $8 and omg gotta hate this country. And that's bullshit. Okay it is true. Singaporeans are quite narrow minded. Not the youth, the older generation but trust me, this country is changing. This country has changed in a very short period of time. That I know. And yes the rate is not quite good but, 'pride' sunshine doesn't have anything to do with not having a minimum wage.
3rd point, "Singaporeans are not creative." Oh and that's where you bring your sisters the picture who seem to be schooling in international schools in Taiwan, that's class. And the cool education system they seem to be having there. They just throw you the things and let you draw whatever you want. I'd be ended up drawing dicks and tities, literally. And let my creativity flow. 3rd point is honestly bullshit. I have seen so many creative people in Singapore and they are famous. There are amazing local rock bands, they have gigs. Shoutout to AVA and Caracal, you guys rock. And 'Cheers to love' has the best lyrics ever. And guess what? The road less travelled is hard."Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. " Yeah that's Robert Frost. So don't complain about the parents not guiding their kids to be an Artist. Bruno Mars's mom didn't make him an artist. He did by himself. Okay maybe Justin Beiber's mom did? He's an exception, she always is.
So what if someone is exceptionally talented and wasn't booksmart? Do Australian Universities accept them just because their voice is a miracle? No they won't. Would Indian universities accept someone cause he looks like Sharukh Khan? No they won't. It's freaking global education system that sucks, not just in Singapore. Yeah that's why you aren't proud to be a Milkey wayvian maybe?
"Singapreans are submissive." I wonder if we are talking about sex here? Cause if it is, that sucks and I'm totally with you. I expect some domination, wohoo. Jesus your cleavage is distracting me. Nisal, Focus!
Okay back to the topic. As you say, no one ever think out of the box. I'm pretty sure you're not from RP. Just come to RP. I'm not gonna argue anymore on this. Just come to Republic Poly and see how we are stucked in the goddamned box - not.
"Singaporeans are not happy" This is something that I have no idea about but apparently, as I see, Singaporeans are quite happy. I've seen them smiling? And apparently you did waitering in a bar and you and your colleagues forgot to putup smiley faces and entertain people. Guess what? I'm working in hotel sector too. Yes I admit that I forget to smile at times, things get busy. You keep standing hours. But I do smile. Probably you worked in some shitty bar? And it's Emotional dissonance for fuck sake. That's universal and Singaporeans aren't the ones who invented it. So the people in service sector suck. And that's why you aren't proud to be singaporean? Cause they aren't smiling? Wow.
And the suicidal rate? Singapore has quite alot populaton density already. So let the dying people die, you can afford it. I'm not trying to be rude here but none of your points so far, doesn't have any valid reason to be disgusted about a nation.
"Singaporeans are not nice people." So apprently, when you take your bike and go down the street, at least 3 people should greet you saying good morning and good day and that's what makes you a proud citizen. Interesting. And you dropped your laptop and this couple who was probably looking for pirates or something from their binoculars (As you mention that they were really really really really far away) came to you and asked you if your laptop is okay. And one minute later a random guy comes and asks you "Is your computer okay?"(That was a freaking pick-up line) Yet, all this is about hospitallity and how people behave in public, not even close to pride.
And the handi-cap tissue guy. From Chinatown to Pangol to Badok. That's a nice thing you did. So asking myself If I'd have done it, Maybe I would, but probably I won't go around telling the world about it? Still it's a good deed, you get +1, but there's no connection.
Anyway, I'm not saying that you're the spoiled brat. And Your parents haven't done anything wrong in giving birth to you and bringing you up. But, your logic is a failure. I can give you a thousand reasons to be ashamed of a country, and not these. You're just taking things for granted. Your newspapers aren't filled with murders and rape cases. You don't see hundreds of accidents everyday. You don't get shot for no reason. You don't get kidnapped by white vans and never come back. Singapore doesn't have a significant underworld and gangsters. At least Singapore doesn't go bombing random countries and killing innocent people. Isn't it something to be proud of?
And yes you shoud leave . Well, that's what I did. You go to seek a great perhaps. And I'm here. Apparently in a country where citizens aren't happy of and end up vlogging about it. But I'm happy here. I made a choice, and here I am. But let me tell you this. Departure is not as easy as you think. So good luck making your way out of this country. Whatever you say, it's not easy to live by your own. And to become an Artist in a country that you just arrived to? Harder than you think, they wouldn't even know you.
Okay, many of the points in the video are true. But none of them is strong enough to make the pride down of a Singaprean. The country you're born in, is not voluntary. But it's your comfort zone, unless there's a war and a crisis going on. And the pride we are talking about, come with this comfort zone. No matter how much it sucks to be there, you belong there. You can choose to leave. I did, you should. I'm neither the proudest Sri Lankan, But I'm still proud. Yes the economy sucks, the government sucks, expenses are high but I'm still proud about my comfort zone. Isn't it like every country?
People are like that, they blame on their country when they are there and praise others.
There's nothing called a perfect country in this world. Not Australia, not Taiwan. All the countries in this world do have reasons to suck in their own way. And they differ. And the reasons which Singapore has, are minor. You asked me for reasons to be proud of. And here you go.
It's just the title that you're mistaken about. Nobody would mind if it said, "Why Singapore Sucks" or "Why Singapore needs a change" But "Why I am not proud to be Singaporean" ? 'Proud' is a strong word. And you used it wrong. Just don't take things for granted, at least you have a mother country to talk about, You ain't born in the middle of the sea out of fucking no where.
So Why Am I not proud to be Singaporean? I'm not one.
But Would I be proud If I was? Hell yes.
Nisal Subasinghe
TRS Contributor