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Updates: Found Video Clips of the Forum online
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo6hbwmCWNg
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhHCoT0zZXs
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OLvpzkGiAM
I watched the campaign to confer the public service star on JBJ as well as the forum held on the play. I thought the JBJ play was clever and witty, with the satire fully developed. In addition, I appreciated the marvelous acting from Pam Oei and Rodney Oliviero and witty one liners. One went "Imperfect Past makes Present Tense".
Although the first half of the play contained some tedious repartee between the actors, the second half more than made up for the initial tediousness, giving way to a realistic portrayal of the struggles of individuals in the Brave New Singapore. From conscientious civil servants to fighting (ex)-journalists to hardworking policemen to idealistic civil activists to ordinary Singaporeans, ultimately the play argues that we, no matter who we are as Singaporeans, we eventually get caught up with our own hopes, our past, our dreams and our fears.
It is indeed not easy to negotiate the solid and visible social, cultural and political barriers in society. But the play also suggests that isn't it more difficult for us to ascertain our true feelings on Singapore admist the mixed signals in our hearts as Singaporeans? How do we balance our need to feel secure and the need to be open at the same time in order to survive in an increasingly globalized world? Better still, at the end of it all, do we end up dancing like everyone else in Mambo Night at Zouk with bitter tears or do we exit this "game" and vote with our feet to the nearest green paradise, or so we perceive?
Or do we just keep our heads down, telling ourselves that "lanlaness" (hopelessness) is simply part of the discourse of Singapore life?
I posed a question to the panelists of the JBJ forum held earlier. The panel included IPS Researcher Tan Tarn How, NCMP Sylvia Lim, Filmaker Martyn See, Blogger Gayle Goh and of course Eleanor Wong, the playwright of JBJ. The question was, "How can the theatre, civil society, political parties and individual students reach out to the ordinary youths in raising political awareness?"
Even though no one really answered the question head-on, I do hoped that such outreach can be done more regularly by different stakeholders in society. If youths can be made more aware of what is happening in Singapore beyond the obvious, perhaps there would be genuine interests beyond the facade of things.
I, just as every Singaporean, enjoy Singaporean food, the material comforts, our comfortable singlish banter and join in the chorus of nervous laughters about the society. But will people care enough to actually make a difference, either to support the status quo on some issues and to campaign for changes in others if people do not feel confident they understood the relevant issues enough to grasp the nuances and to participate in the ensuring discussions and debates?
Is it the youths' reponsibility to seek information beyond their immediate circles so as to know more of Singapore's literature, society, politics and culture? Or should such responsibilities be also shared by various stakeholders in society, so as to help elevate the level of discourse, to clarify the passions of the youth and to ignite possibilities of changes in the hearts of the young ones?
Will a campaign to confer the public service star on JBJ ever occur? If it does not, is it because of prevailing political restrictions or fear? Is it because we are not politically "mature enough" as some says? Maybe. But perhaps the greater challenge is because there is simply little ground support from where it matters; the existence of young passionate individuals like David Lee.
Did you attend the forum or the play or have something to add? Share your thoughts with Singapore Angle.
