May 3 Letter by Tania Chew
I’m privileged to have lived, breathed, whooped and hollered during a landmark piece of Singapore history and I’ve never felt prouder of my country and the people — both men and women from all walks of life — who stood up for the greater good than today. Yes, the AWARE EGM.
- Pride in the people who gave up a whole Saturday to show up and stand in line for ages to get in.
- Pride in those who willingly agreed to be interviewed on video.
- Pride in the passion, intelligence and eloquence in the people who stood up at the EGM and spoke up for what’s right (and I especially remember the Malay Muslim ex-law enforcement father of 3 teenage daughters).
- Pride in the decency that was shown despite the adversity.
- Pride in the media and our lawyers…and so much more.
Hours later I’m still buzzing from the events of the day…some infuriating, some funny…but the one thing that stands out is the solidarity and fervor that I saw in the majority who were fighting to preserve and further the mission and work of AWARE as an inclusive and secular organization.
I went in today hopeful but a little bit nervous, not knowing if it was going to turn into a bloodbath, but I came out of it high on the happiest vibe ever. It was obvious to me that supporters of the old guard knew exactly what they were there for and knew exactly what they wanted to say, backed by a passion that you don’t often see here in SG. And they were FAIR. Unfortunately, I can’t say much about the almost clown-like “speeches” of the new guard supporters, who showed up in bus-loads, didn’t have anything useful to contribute and started leaving after casting their vote.
But I will not dwell on that. Everything’s out in the news and online for the world to see (yes, our manic Twittering made #awaresg a top-trending topic for the day).
This is not a war so I won’t call the majority no-confidence vote a victory. I prefer to see it instead as a milestone marker that will hopefully be the start of much bigger and better things to come for AWARE.
To everyone who recently joined as a member (myself included), don’t let your passion end today because what lies ahead is when it really counts and starts to make a difference. Tell your friends about AWARE, volunteer your time and continue to do what you started doing when you showed up at SUNTEC.
Yes, the old guard has done a great job so far. Imagine how much more we can achieve if we all contribute.
I’d like to end with my fav funny quotes from today’s EGM:
- “Sit down and shut up”
- “I’m on page 73…show your elders some respect”
- “We’ll refer to legal counsel…”
- “I’m a man, don’t harass me”
- “Women are emotional and irrational”
- “I’d like to say to the CONGREGATION…”
- “We’ll help transsexuals according to what’s stated on their IC”
Hi New and Enlightened Aware,
Some ugliness reeled its head and was promptly snuffed.
In honour of this, can we drum up enough support that all Obituary pages in any publications is hereafter referred to as …page 73.
I have always been a proud woman myself. Especially a mother of two sons which I am supporting single handed for the past few years. My Aware experience started three years ago, when I faced a battered marriage. I went to Aware. But sad to say, I was not given the support I thought I would. I do not wish to comment further as there is no right and no wrong in everything. At the end of the day, what matter most is kindness.
Been a battered wife and brought up in a tradtional family culture. I thought the best thing is for me to SHUT Up and SIT DOWN. I can only put all the sorrows and blames on myself for not doing my good part as a good wife.
I started to find out so much social problems in Singapore three years ago. Our good husbands are out every nite because of earning a living and leaving the wife, children at home. Yes, it has been the usual routine. What actually the men was doing? Can you imagine, a woman alone visiting all the “dirty pubs” at tg pagar and joo chiat? What I saw was an unsightly uncivilisation of our Singapopreans!!! What is going on with these world? Are they not ashamed? Where is their moral values? What is the wives and children at home waiting and waiting……….. This concerns the future of our Singapore! If we as an adult do not even set a good example. how are we able to teach our new generations?
And when Jose Lau speaks out in the Channel NewAsia, she mentioned the quote ” Wind beneath our Wings! That’s the power that we women whom has been suffering quietly!
Be it whether who is the EXCO ? What I am concern will be let’s team up and work hand in hand for our woman, children and men.
Can you imagine, when one friend mentioned that now you know why it is so difficult to get all the 11 players of women to wear the same T shirts to play in the soccer game.
This really woke me up! Are you AWARE?
All best regards
CHRISTIE
11 MAY 2009
I am proud of the solidarity that was shown through out the AWARE Saga amongst the “old guards”. Despite being accused, victimised and vindicated they stood firm and fought for what they believe! They held their integrity and refuse to compromise thier principles. AWARE is what it is due to these selfless women. They deserve to win and they did! I was honored to be at the EOGM and was proud to be the first “newbie” to speak out and reminded Josie’s team that without going around the bush and confuse members, they should first look at our national pledge that states that Singapore is a Democratic Society, regardless of RACE, LANGUAGE or RELIGION as it is based on JUSTICE & EQUALITY!! The simple task of being transparent and give equality to all Exco Members (then) was something that they failed to do. They deliberately left out information & mislead Exco Members that were from the “old guards”, they misrepresented AWARE and on purpose pin-pointed “issues” on AWARE CSE programme to create public distrust on how AWARE has been running. With such behaviour how can they ever imagine that they can make AWARE better. For their information AWARE was already in good hands and AWARE is already the BEST. How do you top that? Nevertheless, I have to humbly thank Josie and her team for the whole saga as it brough to light and woken up alot of people on the need to come forward and join AWARE and speak out. As I mentioned during the EOGM, Josie cannot take the credit for the spike in membership growth, though it happened during her “short term”, people join to show support to the rightful leaders and the vote of no confidence proved just that!! I hope AWARE’s membership will continue to grow and that what is more important is not just being a member but getting involved. I would like to thank the lady in green (I think she is one of the founding member), who was queing to speak but allowed me to go before her when I told her that as new members please give us a chance to speak out & that was how Irene Ang & I had the opportunity to speak our mind. Thanks. Congratulations for a landslide victory to the current Exco Members, I believe all of you will bring AWARE to a higher level. BE STRONG, BE FIRM & CONTINUE TO BE AWARE!