Seeing quite a few Singaporean Trump supporters commenting on CNA and ST articles, is scary, yet totally unsurprising. Hatred, fear of others, racism: that’s what people who support him have in abundance.
On a slightly-related note, bumped into a Singaporean here earlier today. I smiled at him, suspecting that he was likely Singaporean or Malaysian. He asked how i was doing, and after a short conversation, guessed that i was from Sri Lanka (which is not a bad attempt by the way: my ancestors from my dad’s side are indeed Sri Lankan Tamils. And later on in the day, someone of Sri Lankan-Tamil origin asked me the same question. Has happened many times before.)
But, the difference is, this was an elderly Singaporean (probably 60-70 years old). After speaking to him, he still did not know i was Singaporean. Which was, hmm, shall i say, borderline racist perhaps?
May i add, i was with my Malay wife and Khalid, both of whom, last i checked at least, do not look Sri Lankan/Indian/Pakistani/Bengali.
I answered: Wah, you have lived in Singapore your entire life, and you still don’t know there are non-Chinese living in Singapore? Cannot like that lah Uncle.
Him: No no, because you look like you’re from Sri Lanka.
Me: (in a semi-joking manner, while laughing) Alamak uncle, i feel insulted that you think i’m not a fellow citizen. Surely you could tell (that I’m Singaporean) from my accent right?
Him: Errr. No no, it’s because of your look.
(Of course, again unsurprisingly, no apology from him. Because how is it his fault right that a non-Chinese is Singaporean?)
So the next time you wish to think Chinese privilege does not exist, think again.
Or just go to the comments section on CNA and ST articles.
Source: Walid J. Abdullah
