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aammaall's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Book 1 of 2022
This book was an introduction to the history of Singapore. Albeit a little confusing because I did not know a lot about Singapore's road to independence, this book showcased views of how the people of Singapore interpreted various historical events that led to its independence.
This book was an introduction to the history of Singapore. Albeit a little confusing because I did not know a lot about Singapore's road to independence, this book showcased views of how the people of Singapore interpreted various historical events that led to its independence.
pagesofelly's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
"And the act of forgetting is an add-on to the trauma and an act of trauma itself. Whereas in other countries when they talk about it, they always recognise and deal with and look at the trauma directly. And in doing so they are able to move forward. If we don't look at it, there is the danger that we will inflict it on others."
Raffles Renounced, Towards A Merdeka History - a collection of essays that offers insights into Singapore's history and most importantly, it highlights the beauty of discourse in History. Pluralistic views of history are brought to light along with the traumas of colonisation that still shape modern Singapore today. Ideas of white supremacy and glorification of the West, for example, remain rooted in many Singaporeans' minds - and the writers in this collection invite us to reflect on the range of consequences that arise from our blind faith and loyalty, at times.
Opening with an intriguing conversation between Alfian Saat and Neo Hai Bin, "We refuse to recognise the trauma" definitely frames the rest of the essay collection and makes it terribly hard to put down this book. Hong Lysa's riveting essay, "Merdeka!": From cacophony to the sound of silence, urges us to reflect on the deafening silence of what used to be such a powerful resonance. Azhar Ibrahim's powerful essay, ' Malay Literary Intelligentsia and Colonialism: A Stunted Discourse', certainly moved me - in fact, it spoke to me so loud to reflect on the Malay thought leaders - poets, writers, activists - whose voices do not get heard as rightfully. Here's the quote that opens Azhar Ibrahim's essay: "Colonialism in all other systems of domination always attacked people's languages and tried to replace them with that of the coloniser as the sole language of power and culture. It is the first major step in the attempt to erase the memory of a people regarding their cultural identity."
This crucial read must be picked up, especially by Singaporeans I must add, for its rich and provocative discussions on how to remember, unlearn and relearn about the colonial and the decolonial. There is so much value on Southeast Asian studies and Singapore studies being uncovered in this collection, with regard to how the making of a state can and must be. While it touches on "big ideas" and concepts that tend to get a little complex, the language use in the essays is also accessible which makes this book a gem. I will definitely be revisiting the essays time and again.
Raffles Renounced, Towards A Merdeka History - a collection of essays that offers insights into Singapore's history and most importantly, it highlights the beauty of discourse in History. Pluralistic views of history are brought to light along with the traumas of colonisation that still shape modern Singapore today. Ideas of white supremacy and glorification of the West, for example, remain rooted in many Singaporeans' minds - and the writers in this collection invite us to reflect on the range of consequences that arise from our blind faith and loyalty, at times.
Opening with an intriguing conversation between Alfian Saat and Neo Hai Bin, "We refuse to recognise the trauma" definitely frames the rest of the essay collection and makes it terribly hard to put down this book. Hong Lysa's riveting essay, "Merdeka!": From cacophony to the sound of silence, urges us to reflect on the deafening silence of what used to be such a powerful resonance. Azhar Ibrahim's powerful essay, ' Malay Literary Intelligentsia and Colonialism: A Stunted Discourse', certainly moved me - in fact, it spoke to me so loud to reflect on the Malay thought leaders - poets, writers, activists - whose voices do not get heard as rightfully. Here's the quote that opens Azhar Ibrahim's essay: "Colonialism in all other systems of domination always attacked people's languages and tried to replace them with that of the coloniser as the sole language of power and culture. It is the first major step in the attempt to erase the memory of a people regarding their cultural identity."
This crucial read must be picked up, especially by Singaporeans I must add, for its rich and provocative discussions on how to remember, unlearn and relearn about the colonial and the decolonial. There is so much value on Southeast Asian studies and Singapore studies being uncovered in this collection, with regard to how the making of a state can and must be. While it touches on "big ideas" and concepts that tend to get a little complex, the language use in the essays is also accessible which makes this book a gem. I will definitely be revisiting the essays time and again.