One of Singapore’s greatest strengths is how we’re a rojak of multiple different races and ethnicities, and yet we still live in harmony (relatively speaking).
No, seriously, look at most other countries in the world. Racism is so common in some countries that
But however, we’re not perfect.
A brief lesson in history, some very recently, shows that we still have our share of racial disputes.
The most recent one is the shitstorm that I shall name the Brownface Saga, which involves the E-Pay advertisement and local influencer Preetipls.
If you’re out of the loop, you could read up here to catch up.
Following that first instalment in the Brownface Saga came the sequel, in which members of the government, including the ethnic-minority MPs, were disapproving of her video, finding it to be in poor taste.
As of now, her video has been taken down (kinda expected). I personally didn’t get to watch it either, but it’s really pretty racist from several different accounts.
So what’s happening now?
Cue the Reuploads
Turning the Brownface Saga into a trilogy is the latest movement by Netizens.
Just like me, many out there didn’t get to see the video by Preetipls and her brother Subhas.
Fortunately/unfortunately, several Netizens were quick-minded and quick-fingered enough to save the video before it was taken down, it seems.
By Wednesday (31 July 2019), the video had been re-uploaded multiple times by local users on YouTube.
However, the videos were taken down relatively fast too (I’m unsure if you’ll find anything as of this moment you’re reading this article).
But in any case, the Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA), alongside the Singapore Police Force, has taken note of the attempts to circulate the video and has advised members of the public to refrain from sharing the video.
In case you still think it’s all in good fun, it’s not.
It’s against the law.
Yes, the law is involved, in case you’re slightly clueless about the country’s legal system.
The video is in violation of Section 298 of the Penal Code, which prohibits “uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious or racial feelings of any person”.
On top of that, it’s against the Internet Code of Practice as well.
As the Government takes racial harmony extremely seriously, they’re less than tolerant of such blatant racial hate (even if it’s in the form of a satirical music video).
If found guilty, offenders could be fined, jailed for up to three years, or both.
And if you’re thinking about sharing the video, doing so is illegal as well.
Singaporeans divided over the Brownface Saga
Many Singaporeans, mainly on the Internet, are somewhat divided over this entire saga.
On this video documenting Minister K Shanmugam’s response to Preetipls’ video are the comments which reflect many Netizens’ thoughts.
Some are in support of the actions taken against Preetipls, agreeing that she and her brother had taken it too far.
Also, if a minority minister is disapproving of it, then it surely says something, right?
On the other side of that coin are the people who aren’t so fond of the Government’s actions.
Amongst the blind Government haters and Preetipls fans, there are a few rational commenters which I have fished out.
Several of such Netizens have pointed out the lack of actions taken against the advertisement itself as compared to Preetipls’ video.
If you ask me, that’s because the advertisement was unintentionally racist and harboured no ill intent, while Preetipls’ video was viewed as intentionally racist with intent to spread hate.
What do you think?
Do you think Preetipls and Subhas had taken a step too far with their rap video, using “satire” and “humour” to defend their racism? Or do you think her video was fine and the government is overreacting?
Either way, racism is not cool yo. Singapore’s had a relatively good track record with racial harmony so far. Don’t take a step in the wrong direction.
If you want to watch videos, might as well just subscribe to our YouTube channel. Maybe not as goody as Preetipls’ videos, but definitely not racist.
Over in TikTok, there’s a drama involving property agents that’s caused by us. Here’s what happened:
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