Wake The Fuck Up
2020 really be giving series finale vibes
I’ve been trying to find a way to address this delicately, but maybe, there is no gentle way to say it. Don’t get me wrong, i’m not trying to be an ass about this, neither am i saying that i know all the answers, but i think it’s time we start having conversations that make us uncomfortable.
Privilege and Mindfulness.
They go together, (well at least in my opinion). To be able to recognise privilege (and subsequently be aware of nuances; and the things happening around us), requires a great deal of mindfulness, education and introspection. So guess, in essence, this is what this text is for. And trust me when I say this — I wasn’t always like this before.
I remember sitting at the back of sociology class in 2017, with my best friend when suddenly I exclaimed “omg, i can’t believe i’ve been so myopic!” and that was the day I decided, “hell, it’s time for a new form of education” (for myself and the people around me). And I’ve been grateful ever since — and blessed—that I’m surrounded by people who never fail to keep me “woke”. So here i am, just sharing some thoughts, hoping that I get to at least change one person — then that’s good enough for me.
Recognising Privilege.
A lot of things have happened — man, 2020 feels *the worst* and we’re just halfway through it. Coronavirus-2019 and #BlackLivesMatter.
When we recognise our privilege, that is when we realise that biases do exist. “It’s okay to break circuit breaker rules, this is a migrant worker problem anyway.” — Why is there such a blatant need for the segregation between “us” and “them” ? Why do we think that we are so much better than “them” ?
A friend of mine wrote this, and it fully encapsulated what I would have said, so, i’mma just leave it here
So often we think of migrant workers as just a bunch of construction workers doing what they’re told to do. We see them as the “other” or “from a third-world country”, as if we did honourable things to deserve a safe space in this safe and clean country LOL !!! No, we didn’t.
That’s just privilege. And such dismissive statements dehumanises these incredibly hardworking men (and women).
These are humans who are working in Singapore to earn a living for their families back home. Real people. With real families. Not machines we hired to build our country.
I think it’s time we stop being so defensive about our biases against migrant workers. As individuals, As an employer, how have you thought of them? And what about your domestic worker at home? Have you been treating them right?”
Practicing Mindfulness.
I know it takes awhile and honestly — quite a lot of practice — to recognise privilege, and practice mindfulness, but i urge you to keep questioning the norm — if makes you uncomfortable, question it further. And it will hurt. Life hurts like a bitch, and i’m still unlearning what I’ve learnt and re-learning what needs to be learnt.
#BlackLivesMatter.
My best friend (Tiara Abdul) wrote a brilliant article of why #BlackLivesMatter, and imma link it here— so please, give it a read if you can, that would mean it alot for us. Links on how you can help and contribute are in her article, meanwhile, i’ll leave some screenshots of what I feel needs to be heard :
- Casual Racism does exists in Singapore (note the term “casual” — it is present, but subliminal)
- START BY CALLING THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU OUT ON THEIR PREJUDICE ! — “we might not be able to help directly at the source in America, but we can educate ourselves (and this is the whole point of this article)
“change begins with you — take advantage of your privilege, spread the news”
