AWARE Saga Concluded and Remembered

You must forgive all these posts on AWARE, but hey, in my opinion I think May 2 2009 has been an important day back home in Singapore for several reasons:

1. A vote of no confidence was passed against Josie Lau and her committee. At a staggering 2:1, it was a resounding call for them to step down. This can (and has been) read in many ways: the Old Guard rightfully reclaiming their organization; a triumph for secularism; a slap on the wrist for aggressive proselytizing in the public sphere; a step forward in tolerance and social inclusiveness; a maturation of public debate...however you spin it -

2. - I think it can nevertheless be called a historical watershed in civil society. Time will tell if this statement holds up. But in the meantime, thank you to all the women and men who went down to the EGM, and made their voices count!

I was interested to read some of the comments thrown to the New Exco here http://wayangparty.com/?p=8732

"I decided to pay $40, line up for 2 hours just for one purpose - to cast my vote of NO CONFIDENCE, and I ask them, after this meeting, how do you carry on? Dr Thio, you said you are a feminist mentor to women in Singapore. With due respect to you, I would not like you to be my mentor."

Ouch!

On a separate note, t is heartening how this incident has prompted many of my friends to declare their pride at being Singaporean today - something I would have never heard in years. Overt statements of national pride are generally not in vogue amongst my set.

3.


From the hilarious youtube spoofs of the saga (see typical Cantonese melodrama above) to the numerous facebook notes which have popped up, it is truly the dawn of a new media. It showed even today - the new executive committee shut out the media from the EGM proceedings, but they couldn't stop the one from within.

So let's hear it for the Twitterers who gave us all real-time updates in the cyberworld. It was thrilling, sitting glued to my twitterfeed getting a blow-by-blow of the events unfolding within Suntec itself. They made Channel News Asia, Straits Times and the lot appear slow. Your iphone batteries might have nearly died in the process, but you've recorded a valuable piece of social history twitterers! This needs to go into the archives somehow.

I also find it amusing that for several hours, the #awaresg thread dominated twitter, causing curious American users to go 'What on earth is awaresg??? I can't find it on wikipedia!!' This is worth stressing - for 5 hours, #awaresg was the top trending topic on twitter in the world.

4. The EGM has unleashed a host of deliciously juicy soundbites bound to be repeated and bandied about in the weeks to come. See below for Dr Thio's (in)famous "Page 73" remarks - first reported and immortalized by Twitter users.

I love how Margaret Thomas (founding member AWARE, blue shirt) is simultaneously raising her hand to calm the crowd, yet can't suppress a look of supreme disdain. See 0:33 - 0:36!


They've already created special edition t-shirts based on Dr Thio and co's gems! I present Ms Sally Ang's fateful words which have since been widely repeated (with some glee) by online users:


See more at http://www.printeet.com/shop/ Hilarious really.


***

A chapter has closed, but I hope this saga will signal the start of something larger in civil society. Critics have said that Singaporeans will simply recede back into normalcy ie: apathy once the controversy has blown over - let's take them up on this. Let's gather the energy and momentum this issue has created, reflect on it, and then bring it forward to make positive changes in our community.

Following the AWARE saga on Twitterfall

Singaporeans following the AWARE EGM in real time are ruling Twitter for once. Waiting for the votes to be tallied now - it's taking so long!

Anyway, my favourite posts on the AWARE saga thus far on twitter - most of whom are from fellow Singaporeans tired of waiting nearly 2 hours for the votes to be counted:

"the delay is obviously a conspiracy by suntec to maximize their
parking fare returns"

"I think we're going to see a unexpected net profit in Breadtalk's books this quarter (they own foodrepublic)"

"Reminder: Parking at Suntec City is $1.07 per hour."

"Exco quoting study on abstinence by group in Utah. Duh! They are Mormons."

"the mens room has been converted to the ladies...there are guys hanging around looking flustered"

"Singapore cannot be a Counting Hub"

"I am imagining this person counting the votes, and this other person constantly jumping out yelling "BOO!" to make her lose count."

"are they waiting for the helicopter for the emergency evacuation before releasing the results or what?"

"This is like getting updates from the Titanic... Batteries dead or dying. Few updates... It's so c c cold Jack..."

Hurry up and get the votes in already!

If you're reading this now, follow the tweets on http://twitterfall.com/?oauth_token=s7jKG7Rz8q8ATVAbmDCMBFdfY9z24znBUHuh82XVZ9E

We are AWARE...even when abroad

Doing a little to show my support for AWARE - a Singaporean NGO which has done admirable advocacy work for women in Singapore since 1984.

Sadly, this organization has been fissured by a controversial change in leadership earlier this year. The new leaders of AWARE have thrust a single issue into the limelight, which they claim is evidence of the old AWARE's declining vision and focus - namely, the organization's supposed 'homosexual' agenda. The new leadership states that they have come to bring AWARE 'back' to its original aims and focus - that is, everyday women's issues. Although how they got the idea that lesbians do not factor in 'women's' issues especially in this day and age is puzzling.

This has become a huge point of contention and provoked knee-jerk reactions from certain sections of society. Whilst it has understandably raised concerns, I think it is unfortunate that one issue should negate and overshadow AWARE's extensive track record over the past 25 years, which you can view here http://www.we-are-aware.sg/achievements

If you are not comfortable with AWARE's liberal and open stance toward homosexuality and sexual education, that is fine. However, surely that cannot be the only criteria by which you judge this institution which has done so much more over the last quarter of a century to improve the lives of women. No organization is perfect, but I admire the open spirit which has guided AWARE, and which has given it the flexibility to evolve over the years and accommodate the new challenges that women in Singapore face.

And surely AWARE's stance toward alternative sexualities cannot be the only reason to endorse a new set of women who, however well-meaning, have claimed leadership over an organization whose ethos they do not even subscribe to (from what I see) - or selectively subscribe to only when it fits their personal religious convictions first and foremost. I should stress that I don't believe in interrogating someone's personal religious beliefs, unless they start to exert an undue influence over the management of a secular, liberal and non-discriminatory organization.

If you're an overseas Singaporean like me and wish to show your support for the old AWARE, you can pop by here to view and sign their online petition: http://www.gopetition.com/online/27163.html

Incidentally, the petition was started by a veteran member of AWARE who is also currently residing overseas! It's great that we can still have a say and take a stand even when away from home.

And for all those ladies back home. If you support the old AWARE and what it stands for, do sign up and go vote at the EGM this Saturday!!! I really wish I could've been there, but alas...here I am.

If you wish to find out more about the AWARE saga, I've really enjoyed viewing the press conferences which both the new and old leadership have given in the last week. See http://www.channelnewsasia.com/aware/videoarchives.htm for the video archives!

Updates from my room

Am recovering from a rather tiring trip to Spain, and a painful dental procedure which I went for yesterday to clean out the gum area around an infected wisdom tooth. The post-procedure pain has largely ebbed thankfully, although there is still slight discomfort in the tooth area, and swelling around my jaw area. Hopefully that will subside in the days to come.

I am in the midst of completing a take-home essay examination for my Scottish Literature module. It is going well, albeit rather slowly, because my room (and laptop) provides ample sources of distraction - blogging happens to be one of them. At the moment, I am hooked on following the AWARE saga in Singapore - it feels so good to be connected to going-ons back home via the internet!

For more information about the saga, this has been the website I visit most regularly for updates: http://www.we-are-aware.sg Check it out if you have time. The case itself is interesting in its own right, but beyond that, it also provides intriguing insight into the state of contemporary civil society in Singapore. I am excited to see the amount of lively debate and intelligent comments the case has brought about - well, not to say that there haven't been un-intelligent responses but those are generally inevitable.

I will be following the press releases after May 2 (slated date of the Extraordinary General meeting) with much enthusiasm! My only regret is that I cannot be in Singapore to catch the proceedings in person - there is, however, an online petition which we can sign to show moral support for the old AWARE. It really is extraordinary how overseas Singaporeans can continue to follow and participate in happenings back home nowadays.

Other than that, I am glad to finally settle back down in my room. Not to say that Spain wasn't fun (although we did have awful room-mates in the hostel), but it is comforting to be back in familiar surroundings. It doesn't hurt also to be back in a place where the people speak English - Huishan, you were so right when you spoke about linguistic capital when travelling. Simply understanding and being understood can make such a big difference to your confidence levels, especially in places where the people aren't exactly famed for their patience, manners or tolerance toward foreigners (I'm speaking generally here).

Well back to work then. More updates soon!

Pre-Departure Notes: Packing Day

After some bouts of procrastination, I managed to draw up a packing check list today. If I do say so myself, it's a pretty comprehensive list! Gained some satisfaction checking off the various items while packing earlier this afternoon.

I think I can say with some certainty that I am 90% packed and ready to go.

Also spoke to seasoned travellers (haha) Clement and Gabriel in the afternoon. Upon learning that I was leaving in a matter of days, both were quick to proffer advice which - amongst other things - included warnings against pre-departure drinking.

Gabriel: Don't drink too much alcohol

Jeanne: Yea, alcohol's really dehydrating anyway especially when you're in the air.

Gabriel: No I meant don't drink so much the night before you leave if not you'll get a hangover and miss your flight in the morning...ey...free alcohol on the plane you don't want?!!

Clement in turn, encouraged constant Zen-ness even when in transit.

Clement: *matter-of-factly* Remember ah...Heathrow's not the most user-friendly airport...even if you lose your luggage must keep your cool and act like its normal hor.

Very cheerful. But oh well; I have travel insurance.

Prospect of lost luggage (possibly) and hangovers (dim) aside, I'm really excited about leaving!!

Pre-Departure Notes: Anticipation and Just a Little Trepidation

Little Things I Worry About

Flight Mishaps: A delayed take-off. Missing my connecting flight. Snaking queues at immigration. Lost luggage. Every traveller's nightmare.

Resulting Homelessness: Arriving late at Pollock Halls, with no one around to help me check into my room.

The Cold: and subsequent cold-weather ailments and afflictions. I dread raw cheeks and cracked, sore lips.

Transporting Luggage: Lugging x number of suitcases/bags around on a bleak winter's night is not an inviting prospect.



Things I'm Looking Forward to

The Local Grub: It may have been disparaged as an 'inflated sheep's bladder' by the critics, but hey, one must try Haggis when in Scotland and finish it off with a dram!

Meeting New People: The whole point of an exchange.

The Scottish Accent: Believe it or not. I haven't decided what to think about the Scottish accent. It ranges from deliciously pleasant to downright unintelligible. I shall form an opinion when I get there and acclimitize to it.

The Sights and Sounds: Edinburgh, Scotland and yes, Europe are waiting to be explored!




My suitcase is filling up. I leave in nine days.