Identity is essentially a socially constructed term. Our identities are influenced by a multitude of factors such as our families, friends, schools, ethnicity, country and religion and somehow the list is never ending. Yet at the same time, this problematic term defines who we are and affects the way in which others treat us and vice versa. In this increasingly globalised world, our identities have become increasingly complex. By concentrating on the Singaporean identity, I will reflect how the government promotes a national identity as a means to serve their own agenda.
A speech by Mr Hawazi Bin Daipi, parliamentary secretary of education about Globalisation and its impact on social cohesion and rootedness lets us in on how national education in schools has fostered our Singaporean identity. He mentions that “in order to foster and strengthen a strong Singaporean identity among the youth, the government has implemented the National Education programme which aims to develop national cohesion, the instinct to fight for Singapore’s survival and instil confidence in its future. It aims to foster a sense of identity, pride and self respect as Singaporeans, to understand
Singapore‘s unique challenges, constraints and vulnerability. A strong national identity, healthy values and racial and religious harmony are needed to withstand the divisive impact of globalisation and the attractions of imitating the West.” (1)
We see in this portion of his speech that national education is used as a means to enforce a form of Singaporean identity. Identity here becomes a social construct as we are taught about what identifies us as Singaporean and what is not. We see ourselves in a binary of ourselves as Singaporean and not western.
“In his National Day Rally Speech, Our Minister mentor Mr Goh Chok Tong talked about quitters and stayers to remind us of our identity and our need to contribute to our homeland.” (Daipi, 1) Thus such a formation of national identity through the educational system is seen as a means to force us to see the need to stay, contribute and fight for our country because we are Singaporeans. The government uses identity to protect their positions against the complications of globalisation. Identity thus can be seen as an agenda by the Singaporean government to control its Singaporean population.
Our Singaporean identity is problematic as it is a formulated one. It is used as a tool for political agenda and forced on us through the education system. We are forced to become an “obedient” population because of national education and the laws of our society. Foreigners also begin to judge us by our identity as an “obedient population”. We fail to see ourselves as individuals or even as a person with multiple identity influences as the state forces us to see ourselves as one cohesive society of Singaporeans. This can be seen as a form of social control by the political government on the people.
Also because of this Singaporean identity, we stereotype and oppress others that we see as people who deviate away from our identity like opposition party members such as Chee Soon Juan. Lastly, we become fearful of those who do not maintain the same identity such as foreigners who migrate to Singapore. We become anxious as we see them as competitors to our rights. Hence, the term identity is not only problematic but can be seen as a source that creates problems.
Work Cited
Bin Daipi, Hawazi. “Globalisation and its impact on social cohesion and rootedness.” Ministry of Education. 5 November 2002. 2 October 2008.
<http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/speeches/2002/sp05112
Thanks for this interesting perspective of our identity. I agree with much of what you said.
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