Sunday, July 30, 2006
读 Buddha Baby by Kim Wong Keltner
I was attracted to the new-looking cover and the title of the book.
In the end, I didn't quite understand the significance of the title and the story was nothing more than just about the life of a Chinese American girl.
Nevertheless, this is worth a thought :
What does being a Chinese (or any other ethnic group) mean to you?
We probably haven't thought about this question because we don't feel the pressure of being the minority. In the first place, being in a multi-racial environment, it is natural that we identify ourselves as Singaporean rather than Chinese. Well, which is good for the sake of racial harmony.
Being the pragmatic Chinese Singaporeans trying to act angmoh, we don't give a damn about "cheena" Chinese cultures and traditions. There just isn't a culture of celebrating festivals to begin with. Look at the Chinese in China and Taiwan who are celebrating Chinese Valentine's Day today!
Being a Singaporean Chinese means:
- Having a Chinese name (but not necessarily able to write)
- "Hugging Buddha's legs" before a Chinese exam (but may not know what is 临时抱佛脚)
- Getting angbows and eating pineapple tarts during Chinese New Year
- Eating mooncakes during Mid-autumn Festival
- Eating ba zang during Dumpling Festival
- Watching Channel 8 dramas on TV knowing that they suck
Singaporean Chinese or Singaporean, either way, we are just a sad bunch of people without a culture that is truely ours. Put aside singlish.
Even if we have, would we be proud of it?
Most likely, no. We are pragmatic. There are more important things than culture.
Maybe that's why I like Korea. Koreans share a unique language, culture and tradition which give them a common sense of identity. And I'm quite sure that Koreans are proud of their country on any other day and not only on National Day.
I am one sad Singaporean Chinese.
I was attracted to the new-looking cover and the title of the book.
In the end, I didn't quite understand the significance of the title and the story was nothing more than just about the life of a Chinese American girl.
Nevertheless, this is worth a thought :
What does being a Chinese (or any other ethnic group) mean to you?
We probably haven't thought about this question because we don't feel the pressure of being the minority. In the first place, being in a multi-racial environment, it is natural that we identify ourselves as Singaporean rather than Chinese. Well, which is good for the sake of racial harmony.
Being the pragmatic Chinese Singaporeans trying to act angmoh, we don't give a damn about "cheena" Chinese cultures and traditions. There just isn't a culture of celebrating festivals to begin with. Look at the Chinese in China and Taiwan who are celebrating Chinese Valentine's Day today!
Being a Singaporean Chinese means:
- Having a Chinese name (but not necessarily able to write)
- "Hugging Buddha's legs" before a Chinese exam (but may not know what is 临时抱佛脚)
- Getting angbows and eating pineapple tarts during Chinese New Year
- Eating mooncakes during Mid-autumn Festival
- Eating ba zang during Dumpling Festival
- Watching Channel 8 dramas on TV knowing that they suck
Singaporean Chinese or Singaporean, either way, we are just a sad bunch of people without a culture that is truely ours. Put aside singlish.
Even if we have, would we be proud of it?
Most likely, no. We are pragmatic. There are more important things than culture.
Maybe that's why I like Korea. Koreans share a unique language, culture and tradition which give them a common sense of identity. And I'm quite sure that Koreans are proud of their country on any other day and not only on National Day.
I am one sad Singaporean Chinese.
# posted by 婷 : 5:03 PM
