What's Crave Nasi Lemak Got To Do With The CMIO Model?

CNA Insider

23 Dec 202106:55

Summary

TLDRThe video script discusses the complexities of racial and cultural identity in Singapore, particularly through the lens of a multi-racial family. It touches on the challenges of being perceived through a singular racial lens, despite one's diverse heritage, and the evolving understanding of what it means to be Singaporean. The conversation also delves into the relevance of the CMIO model in a diverse society, the importance of meritocracy in politics, and the potential pitfalls of tokenism in representation. The speaker advocates for a more nuanced approach to identity and representation, emphasizing the need for systemic change rather than mere concessions.

Takeaways

🍚 The speaker discusses the fusion of cultures in food, mentioning a traditional Malay dish being adapted with Indian basmati rice and a sambal that incorporates Indian and Japanese flavors.
🤝 The speaker identifies as an Indian Muslim but has a Chinese partner, highlighting the multi-racial nature of their personal and professional relationships.
🏙️ There is a critique of the CMIO (Chinese, Malay, Indian, Others) racial model in Singapore, suggesting it is outdated and does not reflect the reality of Singapore's diverse and mixed-race population.
📝 The speaker's identity is complex, with a Filipino mother and an Indian father, and they express the frustration of having to explain their mixed heritage, especially in official documentation.
👥 The speaker's family is described as 'UNESCO', indicating a rich diversity with members from Sri Lankan, Chinese, Swedish, and Malay backgrounds.
👶 Growing up in a multi-racial family, the speaker sometimes questioned their own identity, especially when faced with assumptions from others based on their appearance.
🎭 The speaker talks about the evolving representation in the media, where they have been cast in roles originally intended for a different ethnicity, showing a shift towards more inclusivity.
🏛️ There is a discussion on the importance of meritocracy in politics and the speaker's belief in avoiding tokenism, advocating for systemic changes to ensure fair representation.
🗳️ As a Member of Parliament, the speaker reflects on whether they were elected based on merit or minority representation, expressing uncertainty about constituents' perceptions.
📊 The speaker acknowledges the usefulness of the CMIO model for tracking demographic changes but also calls for its evolution to better reflect Singapore's current social landscape.
🤐 The speaker refrains from discussing certain topics such as religion, the PAP (People's Action Party), and the 'cancer culture' of fear of being canceled for mistakes.

Q & A

What is the significance of the dish mentioned in the script in terms of cultural representation?
-The dish mentioned in the script is a traditional Malay dish, but it has been adapted to include elements from Indian and Japanese cuisines, reflecting the multi-racial identity of Singapore and the brand 'Crevé'.
How does the speaker describe their own cultural background?
-The speaker identifies as an Indian Muslim with a Chinese partner, emphasizing the multi-racial nature of their family and the Singaporean identity that transcends specific racial labels.
What is the speaker's view on the relevance of the CMIO (Chinese, Malay, Indian, Others) model in modern Singapore?
-The speaker believes that the CMIO model should evolve and not remain static, suggesting that it is still relevant for tracking developments within different communities but should be challenged and adapted to fit the changing society.
How does the speaker feel about the racial assumptions made by others based on their appearance or the food they serve?
-The speaker expresses that they do not feel boxed in by racial assumptions and prefers to see the positive side of such situations, viewing them as opportunities for progress and diversity representation.
What is the speaker's perspective on the role of race in Singaporean politics?
-The speaker advocates for meritocracy in politics, suggesting that representation should not be based on tokenism but rather on the natural rise of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
How does the speaker's family background reflect the diversity of Singapore?
-The speaker's family includes members of various ethnicities such as Malay, Chinese, Sri Lankan, Swedish, and Arab, illustrating the multi-racial and multicultural fabric of Singaporean society.
What does the speaker suggest about the importance of not falling prey to tokenism in minority representation?
-The speaker believes that systemic efforts are needed to ensure fair representation, rather than relying on tokenism, which may not effectively improve long-term representation of minorities and women in politics.
How does the speaker's experience in acting reflect the evolving attitudes towards racial representation in the media?
-The speaker shares instances where they were cast in roles originally intended for a different ethnicity, indicating a growing openness in the media to look beyond racial stereotypes.
What is the speaker's opinion on the use of racial labels in the context of identity documents like the IC (Identity Card)?
-The speaker finds the racial labels on the IC to be somewhat outdated and feels that they do not necessarily reflect the true racial identity of individuals in a multi-racial society.
How does the speaker address the concerns about the 'cancer culture' in Singapore?
-The speaker expresses concern about the fear of being 'cancelled' for making a mistake or saying something wrong, which they associate with a culture that is overly sensitive to criticism or perceived slights.
What is the speaker's stance on discussing certain topics related to Singapore?
-The speaker chooses not to discuss three specific topics related to Singapore: religion, the PAP (People's Action Party), and what they refer to as the 'cancer culture', which they find intimidating.

Outlines

00:00

🍲 Cultural Fusion in Singaporean Cuisine and Identity

The speaker discusses the blending of cultures in Singapore, particularly through food and personal identity. They share their experience as an Indian Muslim mistaken for Malay due to a traditional Malay dish, and the complexities of their mixed heritage. The conversation touches on the evolution of a Malay dish influenced by Indian and Japanese cuisine, symbolizing Singapore's multicultural identity. It also addresses the limitations of racial categorization, as seen in the speaker's family's diverse backgrounds and the speaker's own multiracial identity. The speaker advocates for a shift away from racial labels towards a unified Singaporean identity, reflecting on personal experiences and societal perceptions of race and representation.

05:01

🗳️ Minority Representation and the CMIO Model in Singapore

This paragraph delves into the topic of minority representation in Singapore's political and social landscape, focusing on the speaker's experience as a Member of Parliament (MP) for East Coast GRC. It questions the role of ethnic lines in voting and the impact of minority representation policies. The speaker expresses confidence in their credentials but acknowledges uncertainty about constituents' perceptions. The conversation also critiques the CMIO (Chinese, Malay, Indian, Others) model, suggesting it needs to evolve to accurately reflect Singapore's changing demographics and social dynamics. The speaker emphasizes the importance of meritocracy and warns against tokenism in representation, advocating for systemic changes to ensure equal opportunities for all groups.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Malay dish

A 'Malay dish' refers to a traditional food item originating from the Malay culture. In the script, it is mentioned to highlight the cultural assumptions people make about the person's ethnicity based on the food they prepare or are associated with. The speaker clarifies that despite the dish being traditionally Malay, they are of Indian Muslim heritage, indicating the complexity of cultural identity.

💡Multi-racial brand

The term 'multi-racial brand' is used to describe a brand that represents the diversity of cultures and races, embodying the spirit of Singapore's multicultural society. In the context of the video, the speaker's brand 'creve' is described as such, as it incorporates elements from various cultures, including Indian, Malay, and Japanese, reflecting the brand's inclusive and diverse nature.

💡Singaporean identity

'Singaporean identity' is a concept that transcends individual racial or ethnic backgrounds and represents a collective national identity. The speaker emphasizes that in Singapore, the focus should be on being Singaporean rather than identifying with a specific race. This is exemplified by the speaker's personal experience and the brand's ethos, which is a reflection of Singapore's multiculturalism.

💡CMIO model

The 'CMIO model' stands for Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Others, which is a racial classification system used in Singapore. The speaker discusses the relevance and evolution of this model in modern Singapore, questioning its necessity and suggesting that it should adapt to the changing societal dynamics. The model is also linked to discussions about racial representation and policies.

💡Tokenism

Tokenism refers to the practice of making only a symbolic gesture to include members of a minority group, without genuinely addressing the underlying issues of representation and equality. The speaker expresses concern about tokenism in politics and media, advocating for systemic changes that allow for natural and fair representation of all groups, rather than merely checking boxes.

💡Meritocracy

Meritocracy is a system where advancement is based on individual ability and talent, rather than factors such as race or gender. The speaker mentions that policies, such as those in a GRC (Group Representation Constituency), should focus on merit to ensure fairness and avoid tokenism. This concept is central to the discussion on how representation should be achieved in Singapore.

💡Census

A 'census' is an official count of the population, providing data on demographics, including race, age, and other characteristics. The script mentions the recent census in Singapore, which showed an increase in Malay families in rental flats. This data is crucial for understanding the community's progress and the effectiveness of policies aimed at racial equality.

💡Racial assumptions

Racial assumptions are preconceived notions or stereotypes about individuals based on their race or ethnicity. The speaker shares personal experiences where people made assumptions about their race and cultural background, such as being assumed to be Malay or preying on Chinese girls, highlighting the impact of these assumptions on personal identity and societal perceptions.

💡Mixed heritage

Having a 'mixed heritage' means having a family background that includes multiple racial, ethnic, or cultural ancestries. The speaker discusses the challenges and experiences of having a mixed heritage, such as having to explain their diverse family background to others and dealing with the complexities of identity that come with it.

💡Cultural representation

Cultural representation refers to the portrayal or inclusion of various cultural identities in media, politics, and society. The speaker talks about their experiences in auditions where roles were initially intended for a specific race but became more flexible upon their audition, indicating a shift towards more inclusive cultural representation.

💡Systemic efforts

Systemic efforts refer to broad and deep changes made within a system to address underlying issues and create lasting improvements. The speaker calls for systemic efforts to ensure fair representation of different racial and gender groups, rather than relying on temporary or superficial measures.

Highlights

The speaker discusses the assumption of being Malay due to a traditional Malay dish, despite being an Indian Muslim.

Mentions the mixed reactions when partnering with someone of a different ethnicity, such as a Chinese partner.

The adaptation of a traditional dish by changing jasmine rice to Indian basmati rice and incorporating elements from Japanese cuisine.

The speaker's perspective on Singapore as a multi-racial brand and the idea of being 'Singaporean' rather than identifying strictly by race.

The debate over the necessity of the CMIO (Chinese, Malay, Indian, Others) model and its potential removal from identification cards.

Personal anecdotes about the complexities of having a mixed heritage and the challenges of explaining it to others.

The experience of growing up in a multi-racial family with diverse backgrounds, including Sri Lankan and Swedish relatives.

The speaker's view on the importance of not being limited by race and the evolving perception of identity in Singapore.

Reflections on the challenges faced by minority actors in the entertainment industry and the positive changes towards inclusivity.

The discussion on the role of GRCs (Group Representation Constituencies) in minority representation and the balance between merit and representation.

The speaker's personal experience as an MP for East Coast and the potential influence of minority representation on voting.

The importance of evolving the CMIO model to accurately reflect the changing demographics and social dynamics in Singapore.

The speaker's personal stance on not discussing certain sensitive topics such as religion, politics, and the 'cancer culture' of public shaming.

The impact of the CMIO model on tracking social developments and the need for it to adapt to the changing needs of the Malay community.

The speaker's belief in systemic efforts to improve representation for minority races and women in politics, beyond tokenism.

The importance of challenging the status quo and the CMIO model to ensure it remains relevant and effective in a diverse society.