The Singaporean Obsession

I have finally gotten over this typical Singaporean obsession of finding a so called "Singaporean identity" by gaining a sudden enlightenment. Lately, Singaporeans have been voicing concerns about how this new influx of foreign immigrant would result in having no Singaporean identity. I daresay this is a very strange statement because no matter who you are, where you come from, everyone has an identity as long as they are located within space and time. Being in a particular historical context already defines you in certain way. I do think Singaporeans have an identity even if it does not appear unique; which is why many Singaporeans might think they do not have an identity. Considering how Singapore is a city state where our generation grows up with Hollywood, Disney films, MacDonalds and all the other global brands which children in other first world cities would grow up with. And consider how Chinese culture is found in almost every major cities in the world as Chinese immigrants have rooted themselves in numerous countries to form communities. And also consider how food like sushi, kimchi is distributed and marketed worldwide as an iconic cuisine, it is no wonder Singaporeans feel like they have no identity when their neighbours in Malaysia next door are experiencing similar experiences and culture? However, why should this be a problem when majority of the local Singaporeans who were born and bred here were originally from immigrants from China, India and elsewhere? Didn't our Chinese ancestors who came to Singapore from China generations back transit in identity from one who swear allegiance to their motherland China to the land they have grown to be fond of and call their new home, Singapore? If we were to have a problem with the influx of foreigners into Singapore, would we not be like white Americans regarding an Asian immigrant an alien outsider to their land? I think it's time to change our perceptions of identity but rather embrace what we have now than to search for what we think we have lost. We live in an era of cultural melting pot, pastiche, post-modernism and of seamless borders brought about by technological advances. What used to be pure and definable cannot stay the same anymore. It is the time to move on and live accepting our seemingly shapeless and definitely evolving identity.