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

Summary

The 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• 🏙️ There is a critique of the CMIO (Chinese, Malay, Indian, Others) racial model in Singapore, suggesting it is outdated and does not reflect the reality of Singapore's diverse and mixed-race population.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.