Independence Day – A political interpretation

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Independence Day – A political interpretation

April 19th, 2014 | Author: Contributions





The objections to the Pinoys celebrating their Independence
Day in a public area like Orchard Road have drawn out sympathetic responses from
some Sinkies. Even the ST did not miss the negativity of the outcry and came out
with an editorial calling for a curb on anti foreign rantings. Many Sinkies are
still adamant that such a celebration should not be held in the streets of our
city but in private or within the compound of an embassy.

An Independence Day is a political statement of a nation of people breaking
free from the oppression of colonialism or an external power. Every country is
proud of their Independence Day, and the Pinoys are no exception.

Should we allow or support such a celebration in Orchard Road? We have many
very open minded Sinkies who would not mind and may even ask what is the fuzz
all about. And they would look at it unkindly to Sinkies who tried to make a big
issue out of it and calling them narrow minded and old fashion backward
patriots, out of touch with the reality of a new globalized world.

Are there any merits to those who objected to such a public celebration by a
tribe of foreigners in the heart of our global city? Put it in another way, how
would we view it if the Malaysians would to celebrate their Independence Day at
the Padang and with speakers standing at the steps of City Hall shouting,
‘Merdeka, Merdeka!’ How would the Sinkies feel if the PRC Chinese or the India
Indians would to do the same?

Or how would the Malaysians or our neighbouring countries feel if Sinkies
would to celebrate our National Day in the heart of their cities and shouting
‘Merdeka, Merdeka?’ Politically speaking there is some sensitivity involved and
some subtlety in the meaning of celebrating an Independence Day in a foreign
country. Are they implying that they are now independence from us, the City that
hosts them, that they could do anything they want here as free and independent
residents? Of course they don’t mean it.

What is the political message? Today we allowed the Pinoys to celebrate their
Independence Day openly, would we also allow the other tribes to celebrate their
Independence Day here as well? Are we being too uptight? Or should we be the
generous host, the global citizens, opened minded, sophisticated anything goes
as long as it is fun, and let everyone have a good time, to celebrate their
Independence Day in our streets?

What do you think?



Chua Chin Leng aka redbean

* The writer blogs at mysingaporenews.blogspot.com.


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