VIDEO SERIES ON WHAT MAKES A CHINESE SINGAPOREAN, CHINESE: EXPLORING THE FLUIDITY AND HYBRIDITY OF THE SINGAPOREAN CHINESE IDENTITY

Abstract

Existing research on Singaporean Chinese focuses largely on how historical and geopolitical factors have shaped Chinese identities in Singapore. Singapore is constantly exposed to various social, cultural, linguistic, and political influences, shaping how we view our identity as Singaporean Chinese. China’s rise as the new superpower has also raised geopolitical tensions and caused Singaporeans to reevaluate the cultural ties shared with Mainland Chinese. Amidst the decline in cultural interest among Chinese Singaporeans, wHUAtru seeks to explore the fluidity and hybridity of the Singaporean Chinese identity among Singaporean Chinese youths between the ages of 15 to 35 years old, to uncover what they think about their identity. Through videos and feature stories, wHUAtru explores and considers the factors that contribute to the Singaporean Chinese identity, including past, present, and changing political and socio-cultural influences, shedding light on the ever-evolving Singapore Chinese culture and identity. wHUAtru has unveiled the fading aspects of traditional Chinese culture while generating interest among Chinese Singaporean youths to reconsider what makes them Chinese, in light of their Singaporean identity.