This is a clarification and response article written by TZ following some feedback she received from her original article (I am a Foreigner in Singapore).
TRS Reader Po had written a response to TZ's Original Piece (The 'Singaporean' with a Blue IC). Following this and some other feedback from other readers, TZ wrote again to clarify and reply:
I do feel like a Singaporean almost all the time, and you know when do I not feel like a Singaporean? It's when people does not see me as one, or when they look at me like an enemy.
What I stated was simply for me to express why I love Singapore, and why I love being surrounded by the Singapore cultural, why they're a part of me growing up. Now is that wrong?
You are Chinese too, if you do not realise that PRC Chinese looks slightly different from Singapore Chinese, then I really have nothing to say.
If you're Caucasian, I can understand, because it's the same as how we probably cannot differentiate between a Italian and a French just by the face.
Different Asians living in different location have a slight difference in the way they look.
I'd really love for you to stop giving judgmental assumptions without even seeing me in person.
Oh and I don't get stared at all the time, it's only those with really sharp eyes.
Most people actually can't tell whether am I local or not when they first interact with me.
Once again, please do not give judgmental assumptions simply because you have prejudice towards PRC Chinese, I understand that Taiwanese generally looked down upon PRC, but I'd love for you to put that aside, and look at this article with an open mind.
It's good to hear that you experience little problem when you moved here, however that perhaps that is because your FAMILY moved here, not just your mother, you guys had the financial ability to move here and rent a whole HDB flat.
Now please read on to hear more insights to my story, before you judge me for my nationality.
Credibility of the story
Hi there everyone, I would like you guys to know that this story is completely true, perhaps slightly biased because it's told from my perspective, from my memory, rather than another person telling you.
But I would just want you guys to know, yes this is a true story, I do not wish to reveal my real name, but I hope you guys believe me.
My financial status
When my mom and I moved here, we rented a room in a shop house, yes, just a room, for the two of us.
Until now, we're still renting a room, not a HDB flat, not a house, but just a room.
My mom had worked in many jobs, but none of it involves selling her body or destroying anyone's family.
Our current financial status is a lot more stable than when we came here, we have our savings, but definitely not as much as you think we have.
It is possible to survive in Singapore even when we were not rich, my mother had worked as a waitress for just less than a thousand a month working from 8am to 12am before.
Serving NS
This may come as a surprise for many of you, but I am actually a female.
I have a boyfriend who is Singaporean, and he is going to serve his NS next year.
The contribution I will definitely do is to give him all my love and support, and not abandon him when he needs me the most.
Have my mom ever destroyed any families?
No. I find it very offensive for some of you to assume that every woman who comes from PRC is here to destroy your families.
The truth is, after leaving my father, my mother had a long chat with me about being a strong and independent female.
And she had been raising me alone since I was 8, without the financial support from anyone else, not even our families back in China.
Why Singapore?
My question back to you, why not?
Think back at the Singapore 11 years ago, the immigration laws were loose, and it hasn't been this crowded.
Singapore is a wonderful country, can't we all agree on that?
If anyone has a choice between any city in China, and Singapore, of course they would choose Singapore, right?
So why won't my mother and I choose Singapore?
What makes you think you deserve a pink IC?
You see, my friends, it's not the pink IC I'm after.
I love Singapore, and being a PR, a permanent resident, someone who lives here permanently, already makes me very happy.
Right here, in this little red dot, I have friends, I have a boyfriend who I love very much and have been dating for 2 years, I have met amazing people here.
I love Singapore, and I love the people, but that is enough, I do not need a pink IC to prove that I am a part of this place, I love Singapore, and that's all.
I don't find any injustice towards me not having a pink IC, it would be good to be a citizen, but it does not matter even if I am not one.
Today is Singapore's 48th birthday, and I've been thankful of the 11 years she had raised me, a country I grew up in, a country I love more and more every single day.
But it hurts me when Singaporeans push me away because of where I came from, and the only purpose I have to submit this post, is hope to tell everyone that, hey, not every one who came from another country is a bad person, not all of them are here to snatch away your jobs, not everyone is here to treat Singapore like their own country and disrespect the locals.
There are people, who really just wants to be a part of this nation, and live life like everyone other person.
I won't boast about how much I can contribute to the country, because I know, this country has been very kind to me and anything I contribute, shouldn't be seen as anything that needs special mentions.
I don't need a pink IC, I pay more school fees than my school mates, I have no medical subsidies, I don't have a house that is signed under my name.
So? I still love this country, I know you guys definitely deserve those benefits more than me since you guys were born and raised here.
And I'm not planning to take any of that from you.
All I ever ask for, is for you guys to accept me as a friend, rather than look at me as though I am an enemy.
And as for you Po, I hope you take a look at this page: http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=132
"A person who is at least 21 years of age and has been a Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) for at least 2 to 6 years prior to the date of application. The SPR who wishes to apply on his/her own merits may approach ICA for a preliminary assessment interview to check his/her eligibility for Singapore Citizenship."
You parents are definitely eligible to apply for a citizenship, and when they become citizens, I believe you and your brothers would gain your rightful citizenship too.
I understand that you feel a lot more deserving of a citizenship than me, and I agree, you have your whole family here, your brother is born here.
But I really wish for you to stop the prejudice against me, simply because of my nationality.
You did not face those problems when you came here, good for you, but not everyone is as lucky as you, to have the support of both parents when moving into a new country, to be able to rent a full HDB flat.
Just because you did not face those difficulties I did, does not mean I am any less worth of respect than you.
Thank you very much.
At the end, once again I would like to wish Singapore a happy 48th birthday.
And thank you TheRealSingapore for giving me the opportunity to share my story and the support you guys had given me, you guys are really amazing people and I would continue my support for this website.
T.Z
TRS Contributor