It was a great morning with Chong Tze Chien (even though someone else is suppose to meet us) to talk about his plays and life. It is definitely an insight because he was the one who wrote the play 'Charged' and many others like 'Sex, Violence, Blood, Gore', which was not approved by the MDA. He said many things which I find interesting and true to a certain extent. There are some things which I don't agree.
In 'Charged', he combined three aspects in one character, Russell. First was the chinese as a minority because he was in a situation where he was a minority on the train going home for reunion dinner. The second was a ghostly encounter that his NS friend at that time met. The third was the reason for 'Chao Keng' (escaping duties by lying). He said Zizi worked with him and inspired him. She told him to be more upfront and honest about this NS issue. He then told us that Singaporeans are not aware of these issues or rather they knew but they did not care. People praised his work after watching the play but he was appalled by their reaction because he thought why are the audience so excited when the issue is always there. Perhaps not everyone knew especially girls because they do not know much about NS life. But on the other hand, NS men are known for their NS stories, so who wouldn't know. Zizi believed more of the different classes rather than different racial groups which causes the difference. Chong always liked the third character as a bystander because two characters will either clash or agree with each other. The third character is there to heighten the issue or create surprises. For example in the case of oppression, the third character may be oppressed by the two. In this case of 'Charged', Zubir is the pivotal character.
Chong also state that conflicts and arguments should be discussed out in the open since day one of our education. We should not focus on the indifference because we ignore the truths that are right smack in front of our faces. He also felt that we don't have the vocabulary or power to talk about cultural integration, which I agree because the education don't teach us the skills. Family also have a part to play because issues should be openly discuss during family bonding time. We are so use to strict and ruling situations that we are afraid to speak up. On top of that, he says that we shouldn't blame it all on the governement because we ourselves are the bad government. I agree on this because when will we ever speak for our freedom and rights? Are we really so afraid of the punishments that we give up our rights? I really respect people such as Francis seow and others who speak for their freedom.
I had to disagree when he say cultural integration is not about attending festivals and practicing their culture. In a way we had to do this so that there is better understanding because we participate in their cultural lifestyle. But it is more than just participating. We have to have an open mind and bridge the gap. Yes the feelings of racial discrimination and disparity will still be there but by participating in it, we understand their lifestyle and tend to discriminate less because there is mutual understanding. When there is mutual understanding, it is therefore easier to speak our racism in a friendlier and comfortable environment. That is what most travellers do on the show. For example, when Ian Wright learn to cook a dish from someone of another culture, he then tell the chef how he perceive their culture and the chef was so open towards his opinions.
Chong, therefore believed in conflict management, where it is more of how we deal with the problems instead of sweeping the problems underneath the carpet. I agree that he is right in saying we need to focus on conflict management through discussions that lay out the differences and disparities between us. In this way, it raises our awareness and problem-solving skills. But, it is still essential that we learn to participate and have cultural integration and assimilation so that there is mutual understanding and development in relationship between the cultures.
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