Walking around the streets of Singapore, one wonders what plenty a tiny island has achieve and how it successfully position and mark its presence on the world map. Represented only by a tiny dot, its is one of the country known for its rich cultural and racial diversity, this fishing village hosts a melting pot of traders and immigrants originating from Arab, India, China and Europe during British colonization. It is a country that stand in present, a role model who achieve great success in promoting racial harmony. Yet with every triumph, there is a list of downfalls as a deposition before its peak. Humans decide for themselves to segregate their existence by power, race, class and the rights to alter their standard of living. They fight to have a right to live and own a land. This remixed version installation was a part of a theater performance by Singapore Indian Artiste Association entitled "Suvadugal" (Imprints), on October 2007, a musical ensemble with an all star cast with to commemorate the spirit of old Singapore during it's trials and tribulations. With the Singapore President S R Nathan as our live audience during the show, we witness the following excerpts of integral riots from 1954 - 1969.(Personal Note: How I feel about this piece is inspired by the journey on my way back after visiting the Genocide Camp-s21 in Phnom Penh, reflect on this video.) Anti-National Service Riots - Took place in 13th May 1954 said to be due to communist influence. Chinese students demonstrated against the British government's decision to enroll young men of age 18 - 20 to perform part-time military service. Students were unwilling to defend a foreign government. TODAY: This regulation still applies. Hock Lee Bus Riots - The Hock Lee Bus Strike led to rioting on 10 to 12 May 1955, in which 3 people were killed and 31 injured. During the strike, large numbers of dismissed bus workers locked themselves in the Hock Lee Garages in Alexandra Road and picketed at the gates. Thousands of school children, from 28 April onwards, brought the strikers food and entertained them with singing and dancing. TODAY: Singapore has one of the most efficient public transportation in the world. Race Riots - On 3 September 1964. A Malay trishaw-rider was found murdered at Geylang Serai and his attackers were believed to be a group of Chinese. The race riot ensued in the neighbourhoods of Geylang, Joo Chiat and Siglap, and curfew was imposed. In this incident, 13 people lost their lives and 106 people were injured. Under the presence of troops and the imposing of curfews, these tensions eventually eased after a few days. 480 people were arrested. Meet the Malay trishaw-rider on the last frame of this video. TODAY: Singapore is still in racial harmony, or is it? In my opinion, only the ones living in Singapore still experience indirect racial tension layered by a facade of this great "industrial" nation. "There is only one race -- the Human Race. Within it there are many cultures." -Edward James Olmos Historical notes are excerpts from Wikipedia.org Free Clips The Cultsion (640 x 480 clips): Enjoy vj clips provided especially for Vague Terrain. It is a fusion of cultural inter- exploration focusing on religious idols, humans and even the alien! Emowave (320 x 480 clips): Reflection of the range of emotion under the influence of music. |
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