The recent “I am not proud to be a Singaporean” controversy started by Steph Micayle’s forthright vlog has generated an outpouring of opinions online, putting a fresh spin to an old, tired argument. It is the utterly unapologetic nature of her v-log, something I both admire and am slightly wary of, that is partially responsible for the criticism. It’s a bald statement for her to make, although her arguments are not without merit.
It’s not news to anyone that this education system is stifling and doesn’t really inspire anyone to artistic glory. Maths and the sciences take priority. Then you can slot in the Humanities, with creative endeavours relegated to the bottom of the academic totem pole. We’re well aware tuition is the number one after-school activity in these parts. Steph argued in her vlog that the majority of Singaporeans lack creativity, are narrow minded and submissive. I concur. Maybe it’s lack of experience, lack of exposure. Maybe it’s because Singapore is a society built on practicality, not dreaming. Maybe it’s because for the longest time, when two roads diverged in a wood, there was never a question which one a Singaporean should take.
I lived in Singapore for 9 years, leaving for Australia after completing secondary school. I hold a Singapore passport, and I share Steph’s lack of patriotism. Whenever someone asks me where I’m from I hesitate before saying “I have Singaporean citizenship, yes”.
I don’t say that I’m a Singaporean.
It is partially because I’m one of those third culture kids, growing up in multiple countries and attending international school, which makes me a bit of a cultural question mark. While I started out in international school in Singapore, I ended up in local school and went through both PSLE and O Levels. I’ve been in both schooling systems, had my taste of expat life and Singaporean culture.
I have friends holding American or European passports who embrace Singapore as home more readily than I do. They love living in Singapore, and rightly so, because this country is paradise for those who can afford it.
The complaints of rising costs, of the influx of foreign talent, of stress, it’s a tale told and retold. You need money to go places in Singapore. That’s a fact.
It’s not that Singaporeans are entirely denied creative avenues, but more so that it is only available to the upper echelon of society. The freedom to pursue your passion in music, or dance, or writing, or anything that falls into the “alternate path” that has been drummed into every locally educated Singaporean since primary school, is almost wholly dependent on one’s financial background. Of course the same could be said of other countries, it’s easier to chase your dreams when you don’t have to worry about chasing the almighty dollar. But for Singapore, this reality is truer than most.
In most Western countries, you could take a part-time job to support yourself as you hone your craft, or as you audition for shows. This is difficult to do in Singapore. Opportunities are slim, and most aspiring artists end up overseas. Pursuing a career in the arts will never be seen as a smart, financially secure venture, but to remain in Singapore as an artist barely qualifies as a possibility.
What if, god forbid, you didn’t want to head straight out of junior college to university, or right out of poly to a job? In Australia, it’s the norm to take a gap year before university begins, to fulfill that coming of age trope of finding yourself and expanding your horizons. You could go on a working holiday somewhere in Europe as an au pair or backpack through South East. Work at a ski resort for a season. Spend a month in China trying to improve your Mandarin. Learn to see the world with fresh eyes, learn to be your own person as you traverse unfamiliar grounds. Not to say you can’t do that where you are, but there are benefits of befriending people who are culturally dissimilar to you. You get to see the innate sameness of people, and the kindness of strangers.
Australia has working holiday agreements with a diverse range of countries, from Canada to Finland to Japan, allowing 18-30 year olds to work and travel the world for about a year, allowing youth to independence, self sufficiency and a chance to see the world1. Gap years are a viable option. For Singaporeans, while we are free to travel to a lengthy list of places without visa hassles, there is a three-month cap on our stay and we are unable to work. Once again, means for those of a lower income bracket, such an experience is not an option. Singapore isn’t for those who are looking to
take an alternate path.
Steph said Singaporeans are unhappy. Well, maybe not so much unhappy as dissatisfied. Maybe it’s because the younger generations no longer desire that single road to success. Maybe their ideal futures don’t include numerous plaques boasting of academic feats decorating their offices as doctors, lawyers or CEOs. Maybe it is the dream for some, but it’s definitely not for everybody. And when two roads diverge, Robert Frost style, everyone should have that choice. The choice to go left, to go right, to take the road less travelled or to forget the damn road altogether and muddy your
feet in the grass.
1. http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/australians-overseas/
Ariel Mae Sammy
TRS Contributor