#saynotoculturalappropriation

[redfleece]

This is what my mother told me when I contemplated on writing my first book ‘Gedung Kuning: Memories of a Malay Childhood’. In light of the current cultural appropriation of Malay cuisine (by Chinese Peranakan) in Singapore, my late mother’s poignant advice could not have been a better reminder. *’tulis’ in this context refers not only to ‘writing’ but ‘telling our narratives’ #tellourstory #write #read #knowledge #malayfood #saynotoculturalappropriation #notoktoappropriate #notperanakan https://www.instagram.com/p/CFJQbnkBMRY/?igshid=12yvm9211lxqk

[redfleece]

I am so appalled at some stone-deaf, self-entitled, defiant Chinese Peranakan who repeatedly claim everything that is quintessentially Malay to be theirs: baju kebaya, kuih, nasi ambeng, nasi lemak, etc. All done for commercial reasons, with no respect for the Malay community. Whilst there is nothing wrong with selling Malay food, but to "refine" it (making it seems that our Malay food is of an inferior quality), change the spelling (to make it appear less Malay) and increase the price exorbitantly (so as to give the impression that the 'Peranakan' dish is of course superior), all point to this: display of power. Who cares how the Malays feel. They too sell Chinese food (albeit halal), right? But, did we call Hokkien Mee as Malay Hokkien Mee? Or Malay Babi Pongteh? Or Malay Bak Chang? Or Malay Prata? Or Malay Biryani? Someone told me that there is a Malay hawker who sells Bak Ku Teh (mutton is used instead) at Eunos Market, yet he doesn't call it 'Malay-styled Bak Ku Teh'. If the Malays can respect your dish, why can't you for ours? To my Malay community, it is about time we make our voices heard: 1. Raise this issue in public forums. Write to the press. Discuss in online forums. Inform Singapore Tourism Board to stop promoting Chinese Peranakan food overseas as representative of Singapore. Singapore is made up of other ethnic groups and not only the Chinese Peranakan. 2. Don't be afraid to tell the wrongdoers that "It is NOT OK to appropriate what is not yours." Even the late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew believed in doing what is right, not always doing the most popular thing. 3. Educate your own family, especially the younger ones about our Malay heritage. There are books on Malay culture and heritage (like my Kuih book); buy them and let your children read. Knowledge is the real power. 4. Be proud and confident of your Malay identity. It is not old-fashion to portray your Malayness; au contraire, I think it is woke to stand up for what you believe in, no matter how crazy-rich the oppositions are. Remember, if such cultural appropriation continues unopposed, the next generation might take that false belief as the truth. #saynotoculturalappropriation (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFENYJahq-Q/?igshid=1e6umkzfnjpos