we’re all a little racist anyways
Abdul Hakiim Bin Muhamad Hamim (BMus.2, AAS)
Singapore is probably one of the most racially harmonious countries in the world. Most of us just take this as a fact without question. Pitting this fact against group selection in animal behaviour, it may be that racial harmony is not natural, is not an instinctual urge. In fact, it may be the opposite. “we’re all a little racist anyways” sheds an introductory light onto this subject matter.
The words may seem to be neutral but the music sets an uncomfortable undertone. With strange harmonies, the music also draws influences from Chinese and Indonesian scales. This later comes to an acceptance stage which is also reflected in the poem:
“I love my country, there’s so many races here
In every block, in every place that you adhere
I’ve never questioned, “how did we get such a spread?”
It turns out, everything’s planned by the big guys
This spread of races, it’s something unnatural
Here must have Chinese, here must have Malay, here Indian
Is it a good thing? Must we be concerned not?
I don’t know, but it has been this way for years
Where are we now?
Cannot turn back
I think we’ve gone much to far into this place
If you can, please never forget that you’re still
racist”
As part of MUT2205 Text and Music (Instructor: Asst Prof Chen Zhangyi)