N-Word in Singapore
Model @melskk responds to @mothershipsg, @coconutssg, @smrtfeedback
Singaporean?
Yes. Dad’s African, mom’s Chinese.
Do you feel Singaporean? Chinese? African?
Strangers see me as a foreigner.
I grew up, am really Singaporean. I’m stressed over school.
I speak mandarin. I’m more assimilated with Chinese people.
Dance and music helps me feel “black.” I know a little more history than others, but not enough.
Racism?
Older generation. They’ll speak in mandarin, hokkien. “Why is she here?” “She’s not welcome here.” My afro grabs attention. “Why is her hair so big?” “Does she wash it?”
Race as a plus?
Modelling. I’m “unique.” My godmother pushed my mom to audition for TNP New Face.
I’ve met beautiful people in the black community in Singapore. Others have wanted to know more about me, my culture.
The Tweet.
Because of hip-hop, the N-word has become so prevalent. If people say it in songs, I close one eye.
People come up to me and say, “What’s up, my N*gga?”
My friends Chris and Noreen retweeted it.
It’s respect not to say it in front of, to me. When you do it, there’s intent to piss me off.
I got a lot of love, but more hate.
SMRTFeedback said: it’s Singapore, black history, people don’t matter.
Africans in Singapore reached out to support me. People have messaged me to find out more, asked me to elaborate. I’m glad I helped.
I don’t represent black people. Some are okay with the N-word.
N-word = Homie?
I won’t think, “Is it ‘Nigga’ or ‘Nigger?’” Because of social media, people think it’s okay. I don’t find it welcoming. I think it does lift off negativity. I think it’d lift off more negativity just not using it.
Malays and Indians tend to use it more than Chinese. I’ve asked; they say it’s because they’re the minority in Singapore, they have more rights to say it.
Is Singapore less liable since we’ve less black people?
Elsewhere, you can get beat up for using the N-word.
I can’t entirely blame Singaporeans. They haven’t experienced the depth, don’t understand the pain that accompanies the N-word. But there’s social media. Everyone should know.
Is Singapore racially insensitive?
Even though we’re multiracial, yes. Because it’s socially unacceptable, they aren’t racially insensitive in front of others. I’ve seen looks. It’s a feeling.
The older generation, school tend to pass down racial stereotypes. Even if these stereotypes start off as “jokes,” they are repeated so much it sounds like people mean them.
How can we be less racist?
Education in schools. Respect.
