ISSUE 14 // SEPTEMBER 2018 - Meridian Secondary School
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CRAZY
RICH
DISCUSSIONS
Img Credit: Business First Magazine
ISSUE 14 // SEPTEMBER 2018
Foreword
Dear colleagues,
Over the last few weeks, a number of overseas friends have been emailing me regarding their
plans to visit Singapore. Why the sudden interest in Singapore? While some were already
impressed by our hosting of the Trump-Kim Summit, others confessed that their curiosity was
further piqued after watching the movie Crazy Rich Asians.
Because of the way Singapore has been portrayed in the media, my friends have formed certain
impressions of our country which may not necessarily be true. The movie has caused a stir
among Asians, particularly Asian-Americans and Singaporeans. While some celebrated the
all-Asian cast as a feat against whitewashing in Hollywood, others, including myself, felt
uncomfortable about how Singapore was represented. Are we over-reacting? Why do we react
this way?
Sure, I know Hollywood movies are all about box-office earnings and I probably should not
expect too much from a romantic comedy. However, I can also understand why the movie has
triggered some strong reactions from Singaporeans. I see our reactions as indicators that we
care and feel strongly about how Singapore is portrayed, because the Singapore we identify
with and belong to is not the Singapore that others get to see in such depictions.
In this issue, let's use the buzz generated around the movie as a springboard to further discuss
issues that matter to us and to form a more complete narrative of who we are and what we
stand for. How does this impact our work as educators in nurturing a sense of belonging
towards Singapore in our students?
Warmest Regards,
Andrielle Lee
Character and Citizenship Education Officer
Character and Citizenship Education Branch
Student Development Curriculum Division
Andrielle_LEE@moe.gov.sg
2
Your Voice
Our contributor for this week is:
Dear NE Forte Team,
Recently, I learnt from a former colleague (who is now working with your team at HQ)
Ms Geraldine Tan about the enormous time and effort spent in crafting NE Forte issues fortnightly. Thank
Teacher you for the excellent job and commitment!
Raffles Institution
who is passionate about Several colleagues and I look forward to your articles which are well-written, engaging,
discussions on controversial issues. and visually pleasing. In addition, there are many useful ideas that we can adopt in our
lessons or even conversations with friends and loved ones.
We hope that her sharing
In the latest book written by Professor Teo You Yenn, she shared many anecdotes about
encourages us to have more
Singaporeans struggling with inequality. At the end of the day, altruism is the solution to
discussions on what it means to be
narrowing the gap. In your latest article about Kiasuism, there were hard questions for us
Singaporean!
to ponder. How can Singapore move from the negatively viewed kiasuism to one where
her citizens are genuinely and aggressively caring for the welfare of others? In addition, I
If any of the features of this issue took time to reflect on the article about gratitude: “Nurturing gratitude will be beneficial
resonate with you, do write to us! for our students who are living with the pressures of modern life, characterised by
We would love to hear from you. competition and materialism.” In our mad rush to complete the syllabus or to achieve
Email us at academic learning goals, we have often neglected this aspect. How different would the
nefortecce@gmail.com. school culture be if we focused more on gratitude than numbers and achievements!
It would be great if NE Forte could include authentic sharing by educators in
Singapore in their attempt to raise the self-confidence and self-esteem of students
who are falling through the cracks. This would give educators valuable insights on how
we can work together to transform Singapore, slowly but surely, into an empathetic and
engaged nation.
Best regards, Thanks Geraldine for your suggestion! We would love to do
Geraldine this. If you have stories and examples of how educators
have done this, please share them with us here!
3
10
Editorial Team
We Are Always L KIng
FOR SUGGESTIONS TO DO BETTER!
Let us knowwouldWhatlikecontemporary issues
us to feature! you
We love receiving
feedback from you! WRITE TO US: GIVE US FEEDBACK:
Please keep them coming! nefortecce@gmail.com Click or scan the QR code!
4
What's the Focus
Crazy Rich Discussions!
We suggest using the Focus Cards as a
resource to generate discussion on an
issue. Our team picked out the cards
below for this issue. What would you
focus on? Must a movie depict Singapore accurately? Many crazy rich discussions have been generated by
director Jon M. Chu's Crazy Rich Asians. Here are a few perspectives weighing in on the issue.
Issue: Perception vs Reality of Life in
Singapore Representation of the Representation of the
Representation of
ethnic diversity in socio-economic realities
Singapore's image...
Key Question: Why does it matter to us Singapore... in Singapore...
how Singapore is perceived?
"The movie does not "Some debate has surfaced over "[The film fails] to
Possible Focuses: In considering the purport to be an whether the movie represents feature the public
issue of perception vs lived experiences accurate or holistic Singapore adequately, especially housing estates in
in Singapore, we may wish to focus on... representation of its Indian, Malay and other which 80 percent of the
Singapore society. It is, minorities ... This is where the country’s resident
pure and simple, a movie stops short of reflecting population live."
romantic comedy about Singapore's true
National Identity
...how all of us have an emotional
Crazy Rich Asians and
generally, comedic films
multiculturalism, when this is, in
fact, the main X-factor of its
(Foreign Policy,
August 2018)
stake in the portrayal of Singapore play off caricatures." country brand."
on the world stage (Channel News Asia, (The Business Times, August 2018)
August 2018)
Diversity
... the necessity of fairly
representing the different facets of But for everyone else, the movie's incomplete
our multicultural society.
picture of this island-state is an understandably
limited cinematic snapshot that, hopefully, will
Values
... whether our actions are
inspire deeper discovery.
(The Business Times, August 2018)
congruent with the values that
we wish to uphold as a society.
What further discussions can we have?
5
What's the Focus
What do these discussions reveal about us as Singaporeans?
This Hollywood rom-com has generated a wealth of discussions ranging from race to inequality. Almost every aspect of the film - cast, language,
even author of the book - has been criticised. But can the fact that so many Singaporeans have weighed in on this be something worth
celebrating? Do the intense reactions that have surfaced reveal something about who we are as Singaporeans, and the values that we cherish?
We might not practise what we preach all the time. We want to define ourselves.
Crazy Rich Asians: Responses to movie reveal Crazy Rich Asians is one of
incongruence our saddest moments
(The Straits Times, Sept 2018)
(Inkstone News, Aug 2018)
"The reactions to these diverse issues have been an interesting
study into what different Singaporeans see as cherished - might "We are still trying to figure out our complex identity as a nation,
we even say sacrosanct - aspects of our national identity... trying never to turn our backs on multiculturalism. If we remain
happy to have others to define us, the day will come when we
Still, for most of us, we cannot say that our behaviour matches turn around and cannot recognise ourselves."
our talk. We protest about the lack of representation of
minorities but our actions seldom include efforts to be more
inclusive in our friendship circles. We worry or express outrage at
economic inequality but we are unlikely to agree to pay higher
taxes so that better redistribution of resources is possible..."
Not Singaporean
enough? Are we
What we can learn from Crazy expecting too much
Rich Asians' shortcomings from Crazy Rich Asians? We want to be
(The Straits Times, Sept 2018)
(Channel News Asia, Sept 2018)
authentically
"The many meaningful conversations that have
"We don’t want stories that seem to be
about us but aren’t really about us – we
represented.
emerged on race and social inequality can only be
want stories that are properly us. At
a good thing... At a time when tribalism has become
the same time, we go out of our way to
a growing problem worldwide, the discourse swirling
say unsupportive things about films
around Crazy Rich Asians offers much-needed
and TV shows that are made by us, for
lessons in the value of self-awareness, critical
thinking and empathy."
us, which have no chance of Read this issue's WTP
growing or developing without (p.10) for more insights on
our support... What do we how the reactions to the
want, exactly?" movie link to our identity
We want to keep talking about the things that matter. 6 as Singaporeans!
In The World
Crazy Rich Discussions in the World
It has been almost a month since the movie was released in the United States and there are still so many discussions
going on about it! Beyond the shores of Singapore, let's take a look at what others have also raised!
"A landmark victory in the fight for
Asian American visibility!" This is after all HOLLYWOOD...
"The movement toward greater representation
"It’s an identity crisis in which Asian
Americans figure in a liminal position: both and inclusion... is much more than a single
perpetual foreigners and 'honorary whites'." film."
(The Atlantic, Aug 2018) (South China Morning Post (Intl), Sept 2018)
But is the movie is a true landmark victory for Asian Americans? For a world in transition, amidst the wealth of personalities
Or has Crazy Rich Asians embraced a message of white-Asian that populate the world of the “crazy rich”, is the diversity of
equivalence by distancing itself from the “wrong” kind of everyday Asians. There is a need for a changing world to move
Asians? beyond old stereotypes and look at fellow people as
individuals.
"We need to stop treating Hollywood as the
Crazily Rich in Asia moral compass for humanity... We should know
"Wealth inequality has reached alarming levels who we are, and it shouldn't come from what
in a number of countries in the Asia-Pacific Hollywood says."
(South China Morning Post (Intl), Sept 2018)
region."
(BBC News, Sept 2018) Have Asians allowed ourselves to be influenced by the hegemonic
power of Hollywood? Do we expect a film to represent all of us
While the number of "super-rich" in Asia-Pacific has now
and look to the Hollywood film industry to produce such a film?
surpassed that of North America and Europe, the region also
hosts nearly two-thirds of the world's working poor.
7
In The Classroom
In our February issue of NE Forte (titled "unCLASSified"), I shared in the Foreword about different moments in my life when I learnt
that my friends were much richer or poorer than I had thought they were, and how those moments helped me to reflect on my own
assumptions about wealth and poverty.
In Crazy Rich Asians, the main character Rachel goes through a similar moment when she learns that she has been dating an heir to
one of the biggest fortunes in Singapore. Much of the discussion ignited by the movie, too, has been about the disparity between its
depiction of mega-wealthy Singaporeans and many people's lived experiences of Singapore.
Colin Low
For some of us, our lived experiences might differ significantly from the movie, but they are still part of the Singapore narrative.
(CCEO) How can we tap on this blockbuster to have rich discussions with our students?
What is your version of Singapore?
Film for thought WHY I HATE
What are some of the discussions that Crazy Rich
SINGAPORE!
Asians has sparked? Nas Daily shares reasons why he is so jealous of our little
Why do you think the film has elicited such strong red dot that he hates it! Does his perception of Singapore
reactions? resonate with you?
Are these reactions valid? Why or why not?
What do these reactions show about how
Singaporeans feel towards Singapore? Each of us has a different lived experience in Singapore, so it
is almost impossible to capture just one definitive depiction
of our nation viewed from a personal lens. However, we can
play a part to add to the richness of our shared narrative by
sharing our personal stories.
QUICKLOOK+ LESSON
Level : Secondary 3 What's your version of Singapore like?
Title : Tapestry - Together as One
Theme : The World in Singapore
Use the Storytelling Chair strategy to elicit
Duration : 60 minutes stories from your students!
8
Teacher Talk
"Much is Given, Much is Required"
Crazy Rich Asians satirises the affluent by portraying them as mixing primarily with those in their social
circles. The class-based setting has triggered many reactions from Singaporeans. In the midst of the debate
on social mixing and inequality, let's discuss the assumptions we have towards the rich and privileged.
Andrielle Lee (CCEO)
Have a conversation on whether you agree with these statements!
...while the rich stay rich, it's their There's nothing wrong with enjoying
responsibility to help the less the wealth and privileges you were born
fortunate. with, even as you work to become the
best version of yourself.
Kindness in an age of elitism
(The Straits Times, Aug 2018) Don't hate on the elite for no reason
other than their privilege
(The Pride, Sept 2018)
Do the elites/rich owe society anything?
What are some responsibilities you feel elites/the rich should have towards the less fortunate?
9
What's the Point
Identity & Sense of Belonging
Reading the many reactions to the movie Crazy Rich Asians got me thinking about
what it all means for Character and Citizenship Education (CCE). The fact is,
anything that puts our little country on the world stage generally gets Singaporeans
excited, with practically everyone chiming in with an opinion about the event.
Regardless of the fact that the movie was based on a fictional story, I think the
reason for all the excitement and angst about this particular movie, especially
its depiction of Singapore, boils down to multiple perceptions about who we
are as Singaporeans and our evolving national identity.
In psychological terms, identity is a complex concept, and there are many theories
about how it is constructed. In general, the environment we live in and the different
social groups we belong to and interact with, are some of the significant factors that
influence our identity formation and evolution. As a citizen or resident of a country,
we also develop a national identity that is often influenced by the broader cultural
environment and our experiences of living in the country.
Often, the state narrative about what the country stands for also articulates what
that national identity could be. This is manifested in national symbols like the
Anthem and the Pledge, prominent political and historical figures, as well as the
content of speeches given by the political leadership of a country. However, the
state narrative about who we are and what the country stands for needs to be
authenticated through the lived experiences of the citizens for it to resonate.
From the desk of
Dr Thavamalar Kanagaratnam
In this regard, a sense of belonging is an important facet of our identity.
Lead Specialist, CCEB
10What's the Point
To feel a sense of belonging is a basic human need, according to social psychologists. Besides physical needs such as food and shelter, as
social beings, humans also have the psychological need for a sense of belonging which involves feeling safe, accepted and valued. Studies in
human psychology have also shown that belongingness is important to us because it gives us a sense of well-being, purpose and also the
resilience to cope with adversity. Additionally, a sense of belonging to a group motivates us to protect the group and to contribute to the
betterment of the group.
As educators, we have an important role in fostering a sense of belonging in our students. We would want them to form bonds with people
and environments that influence them positively and motivate them to flourish as individuals and members of the school community. An
important question to ask ourselves is, to what extent do we nurture school environments where all students, regardless of home
background, personality, academic ability or race, feel recognised and appreciated? Are they growing up in environments that recognise
and appreciate them for who they are, so that they will feel a sense of belonging not only to the school but also to the country?
To ask a broader question, how are we, as educators, fostering in them a sense of belonging to Singapore? This is not
about attempting to brainwash them to be loyal Singaporeans. Instead, can we reflect on whether we are nurturing in
them a sense of belonging by recognising and appreciating everyone, and the diversity that is characteristic of our
country?
This brings me back to Crazy Rich Asians. To me, it is irrelevant whether the movie depicted Singapore accurately. That is not the purpose of
Hollywood flicks. But good stories, fictional or otherwise, are only good because they are a reflection of the human condition, and provoke
us to think deeper about our lives and the choices we make.
Perhaps the movie could prompt us to think about what we can do, as educators, to deepen national identity and
foster a sense of belonging to Singapore in our students.
11In this special feature, Innova Primary School shares with us their journey in encouraging
everyday responsibilities in their students to clean up after themselves. Find out more Everyday Responsibilities
about their journey...
"I AM A RESPONSIBLE CHILD"
AT HOME... Posters are placed in all IN THE COMMUNITY...
classrooms and the canteen Pupils and volunteers
Pupils learn through to reinforce the importance from the Parents Support
experiences, including of keeping the school clean. Group are also actively
group work, discussions, involved in litter picking
reflection worksheets and Stickers are pasted on the around the
neighbourhood.
hands-on activities. specific boxes on the posters
to encourage classes who
have kept their classroom
To further inculcate the clean.
value of responsibility, P1 to
Monthly recognition is
P3 students are challenged given to acknowledge
to complete the "I Am A the efforts of the cleanest
Responsible Child" card and class in maintaining class
achieve the "I'm More cleanliness.
Responsible" badge by Student leaders work with the community in the
Teachers also conduct a "Keep Singapore Clean Movement" (KSCM) -
completing activities, such termly reflection to help painting the rubbish bins of the housing block
as packing their own bags pupils understand the beside the school & designing leaflets for the
and making their own beds values behind these residents to raise awareness of keeping the
etc. IN SCHOOL... actions. environment free from litter.
From the daily cleaning routine, I realise that This daily cleaning routine helps pupils
my 2 sons have become more responsible and
they even remind each other to tidy up their
STUDENT understand the fact that it’s their
responsibility to maintain the cleanliness of
own rooms. Both of them also help me with the school. Pupils also propose innovative
This daily cleaning routine allows us to
household chores and I am happy to see the ideas via the suggestion box to help enhance
appreciate the efforts by our school OSOs.
growth in my sons. this daily cleaning routine.
From this programme, we understand that we
- Mdm Normah Bte Jaffar - Mr Paul Shin
can and we want to be in a clean and
conducive school and everyone is responsible
PARENT for that.
- Muhammed Aqeel Aubdul Malik TEACHERSpecial Feature: Stories We Sing
How are songs stories we sing? How is our city a song?
Stories We Sing (2017) is the product of a collaboration between the Singapore Teachers'
Academy for the Arts (STAR) and National Arts Council. This team of Singapore composers,
writers and music teachers created and launched a set of 12 new songs. These songs will add to
the current repertoire of folk songs which many of students in Singapore have grown up singing
in school. (The Straits Times, Nov 2017)
These songs in Stories We Sing are "designed for music teachers to illustrate musical concepts"
to their Upper Primary and Lower Secondary students, while "expressing the authentic stories
inspired by lived experiences in Singapore - Deepening Roots, Growing Communities, Moving
Landscapes and Living Life".
Deepening Roots Growing Communities
"What makes us feel that we belong to a "[We] reach out and form connections with
place? Or to feel safe & at ease & at home? people in our family and community, and
It must be the sights, sounds and smells become friends..."
that Singapore evokes..."
Moving Landscapes
Living Life "We develop deep emotional ties to landscapes that we
"Life evolves with time and space, but what live in and grown to love. While life moves on & the world
guides us will the values that have stood the around us changes, the landscapes that have shaped us
test of time..." remain within us..."
Click here to access the PDF version of
"Stories We Sing" on OPAL! You can also
13 find the hardcopy in your school!Partners
Island-Wide Public Warning System Sounding
On Saturday, 15 September 2018 at 6.20pm, SCDF will be
sounding the "Important Message" signal through the island-wide Public
Warning System (PWS) sirens and the SGSecure mobile application. This
is part of the ongoing efforts by SCDF to raise pubic awareness on the
different types of PWS signals.
When you hear the signal, tune in immediately
to any local radio station for a brief message
on the PWS.
To know more about the
PWS, visit www.scdf.gov.sgPartners
Partners
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