Being a Minority: My Response

Dear World,

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook just today and I just had to read it. Please read it too before reading on. Click here.

Disclaimer: I don’t want to be racial here. I have nothing against any one of different races living in Singapore or in the world (but since the article linked above is specifically about Singapore, then this post will be more orientated about Singapore’s context).  I have no intention on taking out any anger or frustration on a group of people, particularly when it comes to race.  I would think I know better than that.

With that disclaimer out of the way and I hope you have the article (please, read it, it’s important), I bet a lot of you are wondering what race I am or how I’m a minority. I’m Eurasian, if you don’t follow my blog regularly. For those who are not familiar with the term, I’m mixed. Part European, Part Asian. That’s all I’m going to say. My ancestry is too complicated.

Eurasians only make up about 1-2% of the population, if I have my facts right. Ok, I tried looking for the actual percentage online but no one will give me a straight answer. Wikipedia said the percentage of ‘other races’ in Singapore in 2010 was 3.3% but includes other minority groups with the Eurasians. So for the sake of the argument, let’s take it as 1.5% of the Singapore population (this is just a rough estimation).

I agree with how Seker SB describe the situation. I know how it feels/felt like. Me and my friends got picked on in Secondary School.Sometimes people just don’t know how what they say affects people. But there is a part of me that likes being a ‘minority’.

Yes! I said it! I like being the minority in my country. I think you have more insight when you are the underdog or when people look down on you. Or at least you gain more insight and experience. There is something satisfying succeeding as a ‘minority’ in Singapore or in anywhere really.

Sure I might sound completely optimistic. Or possible immature – like I’ve been shield away from the racial comments. I haven’t. Trust me. I’ve had my fair share of racist comments- ‘All you do it party, at weddings, at dinners, at funerals’ ( I’m paraphrasing but thats the idea) or ‘Oh HEY! You are both Eurasian’. I hate that one. Just because my race makes up approximately 1.5% of the population doesn’t mean I know all 40,000 people! Or when people speak  in Chinese in front me. Trust me I’m going to learn Mandarin! ( I took Malay in school).

It may be because I am either very determined or very stubborn about this, but I like the idea of knowing I can beat the expectations set by my society. I love it in fact. It’s thrilling.

To quote Seker SB,

“whilst it was our choice to adapt and not make it an issue every single time we were insulted by word, deed, or omission, it certainly is not a choice we want our children to have to consider making.”

I was once asked if I have friends of different races and I go ‘yes’. Now that I think about it the three people I trust the most are Malay, Indian and Chinese ( in no particular order). My gang is multi-racial but most importantly, my group of friends are understanding.

I think no one can teach people to consider the feelings of others in different races except those of different races that are willing to befriend them. We have to break the cycle. We have to start somewhere.

There really isn’t anything else I can add. May be the only thing that can be said is said everyday by a wonder lady standing up in what she believes in. I will always  think this is her super hero catch pharse:

“Be kind to one another” – Ellen Degeneres

Sleep well, Singapore.

Cheyenne

I can drive now

Dear World,

So here’s the deal! I got my license! YAY! I can drive around now . My friends now claim I can be (and I quote) ‘activated’ to drive everyone to dinner/supper. Sure I can drive but I’m not going to be ‘activated’ and I don’t have a clown car.

But yeah its cool to be on the roads now. It’s sort of liberating knowing you can travel more conveniently.  But yeah… ok this post is random. Lack of inspiration

Believe

From Palm Trees and Bare Feet: Believing to See

Dear World,

Do you believe to see or see to believe?

I believe to see. Especially when it comes to your attitude and yourself. Sometimes you might not see it… but if you believe in something then its real, whether its you being beautiful or smart or funny.

We need to know that we are awesome. Even if we don’t see it. Because it will eventually be there

Cheyenne

True love?

From Palm Trees and Bare Feet: True Love

Dear Kalie,

Sometimes I wonder why I respond to your daily questions.

Cheyenne

Dear world,

When I think of ‘true love’ I think of….

Fantasy. Yes may be I might be a bit… harsh or possibly a kill-joy but that’s what I think about when I think of ‘true love’… that it is pure fantasy.

If you asked me what I though of relationships, I would tell you most of the time they are temporary but I hope I find someone that I can be completely honest with that will stick with me through the end.

I don’t know if I believe in true love. It’s been portrayed in a very… unrealistic manner by the media. I don’t want to lie to myself. I rather be happy.

Sorry.

Cheyenne

Cty 2.0

Dear World, 

Yesterday I attended the TedxSingapore conference… well actually it was the first inaugural City2.0 conference. For a brief introduction, City2.0 is the first IDEA that was awarded the Ted Prize and I am extremely grateful that I was a part of the first conference ever. City2.0 is a project where people attempt to suggest ideas and then do something to fulfill their wishes for the cities we live in. 

We had circle meetings and an ‘open space’ meeting and I tried to raise something I wanted to talk about. I named the topic ‘Passion and Drive to Learn’ which to my extreme surprise, people actually signed on. I wanted to share this idea of wanting to gain knowledge in different fields to be able to see the ‘bigger picture’, to be involved in more than 1 conversation or discussion. I observed that in school, people were content with what teachers just gave them which was frustrating to see because there was really more out there. 

So I explained an idea I have of a ‘knowledge box’ where I physically collect information. I had a lot of positive feedback so I am going to presue this. I want to at least try. As small as this is, it might actually work. 

Worth a shot. 

Cheyenne

Trusting myself

Dear world,
So I’m a bit upset. I just came out of my interview for an environmental course at NUS and I have an annoying gut feeling that I may not have done as well as I possibly could. And just do you know how recent this interview was, I’m on the train writing this…, actually I got on the wrong train and now I have to change direction! (Argh!!!!!)
This isn’t a post about the interview. I just needed some comfort and I’m doing it through writing.
Sometimes nerves get the best of us. Sometimes we want something so much the thought of losing it scares us and we screw up an interview or project or something
One thing I completely forgot was to trust myself. Completely trust myself. Because I know how to do this. Because I know how to answer and what to say and how to be. I forgot that. I should have remembered.
I hope everyone remembers that.
I created this blog to that everyone will learn or again something out of it. Don’t screw up because you don’t trust yourself. It isn’t worth it.
All the best
Cheyenne

The Lucky One

Dear World,

Today I watched ‘The Lucky One’. A strong plot demonstrates fates  strong power in a sense to bring people together. Everything happens for a reason. Logan, an Marine (played by Zac Efron) finds a picture of Beth ( Taylor Schilling) and after trying to return the picture to its rightful owner and realising that the picture has in a sense ‘saved his life’. When he returns to the United States he is determined to find this girl and thank her. However, she misunderstands his intentions and thinks he wants a job at her pet hotel which she is reluctant to give him but her grandmother hands him the job anyways. Fate brought them together, what ever happens next is mere human nature.

Nicholas Sparks’ stories always, to me, have this modern fairy tale feel such that everything is magical, it is almost unbelievable and it is. This chick flick is a true chick flick and strums the heartstrings of all if not most of its female audience members. The escapade Sparks provides is relieving yet misleading situation of how random events could lead to a ‘happy ending’ for the main characters.

I think the plot was a bit predictable but while watching it, I was so caught up in the emotions shared by the characters to realize how the rest of the plot was actually going to unfold. The ending however felt like a cop out by  the producers (or Sparks but I didn’t read the book yet) but I will not spoil for those who wish to watch this movie.

With like most chick flicks, I recommend that you watch and take it with a pinch of salt. Disney was once criticized for providing a fault interpretation for life to its audiences. While I might say the same for chick flicks such as this one, Sparks and Disney do have one thing in common; they provide a means of escape from our reality.

I hope that if you choose to watch this show, you will love it- not because it stirs up feelings you may or may not feel in real life but that it is a clear and hopeful view on how to live our lives; to leave it all to fate.

Cheyenne

Ps. I didn’t cry! I only teared up…. getting immune to sad movies.