IPS invited the key political parties to each send a P75 rep. If you are not familiar with the term 'P75', it's the 'in' buzzword post-GE2011. It refers to people who were born after 1975.
If you remember, the buzzword after GE2006 was 'P65'. Subsequently, we witnessed P65 MPs hip-hop dancing like nerds with cerebral palsy. =_=
The various parties sent the following reps for this session:
- All are Chinese.
- 4 out of 6 were males
- 4 out of 6 were born in 1976 (bumper year of the Fire Dragon).
- 3 out of 6 are Lees.
- 3 out of 6 were former government officers (and scholars).
- 4 from NUS undergrad, 2 educated abroad.
The existence of this session coincides with a question I've been thinking about, i.e. the need to create a group called 'Youth'. As if, they were aliens or animals on exhibits. As if they were very different from non-Youth. As if, one can become 'Youth', then becomes 'unYouth' after a while. Or that once having gone past a certain age, that one is no longer Youth. No longer potential material.
Amidst the 300-strong crowd, I saw a former boss, looking all enthuz. He's so earnest, he wants to learn about What Youth Want.
Here's a guy who didn't listen to Youth 10 years ago, because he's so smart-tse! So ivy-leagued. So senior that he knows best.
So why bother to try 10 years later? What has changed?
Coz it's the 'in' thing in the public service now to be engaging, especially with Youth?
要不要笑, Mr Bigot?!
This is exactly the kind of insincerity which Michelle Lee was referring to during the session. What's tragic is that these bigots will never be able to understand why they are being condescending, coz THEY are the problem.
Of course, I was listening and taking notes so much throughout the session that I can probably put up a comprehensive set of minutes, which is more reflective of the event than what's been reported in mainstream media. "Restless Youth seek anchor in politics" is once again and yet another condescending 'here's looking at youth' conclusion by the mainstream media. I don't remember anyone mentioning this during the session.
Nonetheless, I shall only highlight my impression of each speaker:
Desmond Lee, PAP, 1976
Though we are of the same age, our circuits have not overlapped, as such I did not know of him until this session. My lawyer friends say he's a nice guy.
During the session, what hit me most was that this former Legal Service high-flyer (now with Temasek Holdings), sounded exactly like a mini-Lee Hsien Loong.
If you watch the Noose enough, Chua En Lai does a very convincing parody of such mannerisms and response content.
During Q&A, someone, a certain Dr Chong, asked him specifically if he has a stand to make on any policy that is different from that of the PAP. He skirted the question for a while. The guy was not letting him go, and asked him again. Eventually, Desmond Lee mumbled something about housing policy, but was not specific which bits to improve upon. He did mention 'living close to parents', but that policy is already in place.
Nicole Seah, NSP, 1986
She's tall and fierce. In Tyra Banks-style, she flipped her long locks off her right shoulder after walking to the rostrum and before she started her speech.
She said she nursed a 'dangerous belief' as a child, i.e. that someone was gonna take care of her (the people, the country etc). She believes Youth want:
- An arena to exchange views
- To find like-minded communities
- To be heard and acknowledged
Courage and passion can neither be taught in schools, nor at tuition centres, nor at OBS. Someone needs to take her under his/her wings quickly and groom her, because she's a gem. She needs a Low Thia Kiang-ish mentor. I doubt she's gonna get that from within NSP.
He is the least eloquent and prepared of the 6 speakers. He reminds me of the weirdos in the FASS dungeon. (But he's from Comp Sci.) When he started talking, the word 'Otaku' and 'DOTA' kept flashing in my mind, rightly or wrongly.
To his credit, he's the only one who did not attempt to generalise what or who Youth are, but spoke from his own experience as a P75er. He said GDP growth had not translate into salary increase for him. He highlighted that official statistics should not be released in terms of 'averages' only, or to lump Citizens with PRs for unemployment figures.
Michelle Lee, SDP, 1976
'Good Fren' is gonna kill me for this, coz I'm revealing that I have a tiny crush on Michelle Lee.
Halfway though the session, I texted my friend,"I can imagine her in her RGS pinafore."
She's intelligent and takes jabs at plainly absurd behaviour.
While I didn't find her generalisation of Gen X and Gen Y enlightening, I understood her need to define them.
What I agree most with is her statement that the deference to the powerful and rich has weakened, and that the internet is the great equaliser (at least amongst those who manage to get onto the internet)..
Jimmy Lee, SPP, 1975
He was late coz this management consultant was rushing to this session from across the causeway.
He was not outstanding at all during GE2011, and did not give a memorable speech during this session. However, after the Q&A session, I believe this former DSTA scholar, who lives in a 3-room HDB flat with his folks, is intelligent and has a radar which is different from the conventional (PAP) politician.
The key message I got from him was also the key learning point of this session. Unfortunately, he has requested for that point to be kept within the 4 walls of Ballroom 3, Orchard Hotel.
He also believes that Youth are not 'mindless rebels', but seek 'constructive guidance'. That those who become angry, are those who feel left out.
Yaw Shin Leong, WP, 1976
He cannot deliver convincing English speeches. He tends to break into a weird stage-accent, which distracts me from his points. However, he is more natural when answering impromptu in English. Of course, speaking in Mandarin is his forte. Remember my earlier comment on WP having to cross the Ang Mo Kio?
This guy is not the most polished, but has the most passion, commitment and discipline.
He believes that campus activism is important, but even if the top (e.g. national leaders) is ready for this, the middle (e.g. university management/administration) may not be.
He reminds everyone that regardless whether we agree or disagree, there is only 1 Singapore. We are all here to bring Singapore forward, and not to destroy Singapore.
During the session, he revealed that he had to take the Basic Theory Test 7 times. =)
..............................................................................
At dinner with 'Good Fren', while I was updating him on the session, I realised why the PAP candidate, despite being elitely-schooled and -read (NUS Law 1st Class Hons + Oxford LLM), was far less interesting than the rest.
It's because there is a conscious effort to limit one's imagination and performance.
A rich and powerful man buys many pedigree race horses and keeps them in his stable. An act of psychological gratification of one's ability to collect and own the best. To feel secure that the best is under his control. To 'win' the other horse-owners.
These horses, though built for running fast and long distances, are told to do so only within the confines of the safe stable.
Meanwhile, the horses outside of this stable are not all of such beautiful pedigrees. Some are strays, some are of mixed-breed, and some were previously from the elite stable, but have chosen to break away to run free across the grasslands.
Now, even if some of these free-spirited horses were not born with the best muscle and bone structures for racing, and that they do not get the best care, board, food, training etc, but because they spend their time walking, trotting, galloping and exploring, that they learn to and become able to cover distances and terrain, which are vastly different from and unimaginable for those in the elite stable.
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