The Importance of Activism Among Youths in Singapore

Youth activism includes movements around climate change, gender equality, racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights and more. One example of a more well-known youth activist would be Greta Thunberg, who held her first “School Strike for Climate'' at the age of 15, outside the Swedish parliament. Her protests received extensive media coverage, and hundreds of thousands of young individuals worldwide participated in the Fridays For Future strikes she initiated. She has not only questioned adults and world leaders for their lack of action in combating the climate crisis but also inspired fellow young individuals to engage with and advocate for causes that resonate with their passions online. Many commentators and government organisations call this “the Greta effect”.³

YOUTH ACTIVISM IN SINGAPORE

With Singapore being a tiny country, many youths may feel disheartened by the fact that their voices may go unheard and their efforts wasted. This may be due to the lack of resources and public spaces for youths to voice out their stand. However, there have been many cases lately where youth activism has proven effective in Singapore. In the past decade, there has been a noticeable increase in youths voicing their concerns, especially during the pandemic. Despite the upheaval caused by the pandemic in our daily lives, numerous youths have exhibited commendable compassion, determination, and a strong sense of community love.

Let’s bring it back to the topic of Palestine and how Singaporean youths have shown their activism towards that cause.

As mentioned, more Singaporean youths are utilising social media extensively to discuss the Palestine issue or as some have called it, a genocide, which according to the United Nations, constitutes a proven intent on the part of perpetrators to physically destroy a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.⁴ Singaporean youths are actively participating in conversations, sharing diverse perspectives, and using various social media platforms to raise awareness about the ongoing situation in Palestine. One of the ways they have been doing so is through reposting on their social media platforms. Sharing posts related to this topic effectively increases the reach within our community. Some youths have even taken the extra step of creating their own content, summarising what is going on in Gaza.

Lepak Conversations is an advocacy platform which provides a space for Malays in Singapore to engage in lepak (accessible) conversations. In November 2023, they posted informational content on why and how one can discuss the issue of Palestine. The posts provided helpful tips on choosing the right tone and terms to prevent heated conversations on this sensitive topic, while also facilitating discussions and sharing viewpoints. The community's response was positive, with comments expressing appreciation for the bite-sized information that clarified the meanings of terms related to the discussion of Palestine.⁵

Singaporean youths have also been actively posting about the Singapore Palestine Film Festival 2024 happening from 12 to 21 January 2024, at The Projector at Cineleisure. This festival will be showing a curated selection of 10 impactful films that bring attention to the challenges experienced by the people of Palestine. The primary goal is to enhance cultural awareness and foster a deeper understanding of the situation among the Singaporean audience. All proceeds generated from the film festival will be directed to the Singapore Red Cross, supporting their relief and recovery endeavours alongside the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement Partners. These organisations have been actively engaged on the ground, addressing the immediate needs of civilians affected by the crisis.⁶ Response has been overwhelming, with more slots recently added for certain films. This shows how impactful reposting on social media can be.

Another way Singaporeans have played their role in youth activism for Palestine is through supporting small businesses that are openly raising funds to provide aid for Palestinians. Small, self-run enterprises such as @aroomwithtowelsforcurtains and @woodyouclaywithme on Instagram have raised funds through the sale of their art pieces. One could argue that such efforts may not be of much contribution to an issue as dire as the Palestinian genocide, but it is undoubtable that these efforts have brought greater awareness and perhaps inspired other small businesses to take similar steps to encourage youth activism and support for Palestine.

It’s also worth mentioning that boycotts are a form of activism, and perhaps the most effective method for youths in Singapore who may feel strongly compelled to take strong action in support of Palestine but are unable to. Boycotts have greatly helped to raise further awareness and put economic pressure on complicit entities in the Palestinian genocide. A notable example of that would be Puma, which initially endorsed Israeli athletes but has now ended their sponsorship of Israel’s football team. While they claim that this is not tied to the ongoing pro-Palestine boycotts, the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Movement welcomed the move as it serves as a signal to other complicit entities working within or with Israel.⁷ Such news pertaining to the boycotts has certainly shown that one’s efforts, no matter how small or simple, can make a significant impact, thus strengthening youth voices and activism efforts in Singapore.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF YOUTH ACTIVISM IN SINGAPORE

Youth activism in Singapore began as early as the 1960s. On November 20, 1960, University of Malaya students in Singapore protested the People's Action Party government's treatment of Professor Dennis Joseph Enright, who had been accused of criticising cultural policies. About five hundred students, a third of the undergraduate population, boycotted classes the next day, denouncing government efforts to suppress free discussion and intimidate individuals.⁸ This historical incident emphasises the importance of youth activism as it shows how youths can express dissent against perceived injustices. It also showcases the ability of young people to organise and express their concerns, playing a crucial role in the larger story of civic involvement and the quest for democratic principles in Singapore's history. Thus, youth activism emerges as a pivotal force in fostering accountability, safeguarding rights, and influencing societal norms.

Youth activism is still relevant and very much needed to this day, illustrated by the following three key points.

I. Power of Youth

In the contemporary landscape of Singapore, the societal influence wielded by the youth is indisputable. Adolescents and young adults emerge as highly influential figures in our community, capable of significantly contributing to positive transformations. Harnessing their substantial potential, young people can effect change by elevating awareness, formulating solutions, and imparting knowledge to others.² With their fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and pivotal role in society, this demographic has high potential when it comes to making a difference in our society.

When youths contribute to the conversation, particularly on social media, they help shape public opinion in their community and in turn, whoever sees their content can help to influence their community regardless of whether they may be in Singapore or not. Participation in discussions by Singaporean youths can create a ripple effect, influencing not just their local community but resonating with global audiences as well. This is particularly noteworthy for Singaporeans residing abroad, as their involvement in protests and marches organised in different countries has the potential to bolster local youth activism. Acting as a catalyst, their initiatives inspire others to persist in voicing their opinions and demonstrating solidarity for the Palestinian cause, contributing to the development of a worldwide network of informed and committed activists. Another example would be the practice of utilising boycotts as a tool within grassroots movements, becoming a powerful means for individuals and communities to express solidarity with the Palestinian cause. This grassroots activism has the potential to create a groundswell of support that transcends borders and cultural differences.

II. Political Awareness

Today, youths are constantly exposed to political activities. However, why should political awareness be prioritised? The issue of political unawareness is a shared responsibility among individuals, society, and the state. The significant drawback of political ignorance is the emergence of uninformed leadership. Hence, youths must be aware of their rights, especially when there are political changes so that they can comprehend their rights and express their opinions in an informed manner.⁹

Singapore has usually been known as having a strong one-party system. The prevalence of a single-party rule frequently results in making youths navigating within the existing legal boundaries when related to political change a challenge. Some of the challenges when it comes to political activism include legal limitations. This emphasises further the importance of being politically aware. Nevertheless, there have still been quite a number of youths engaging in political dialogues and discussions – especially on online platforms. The ongoing impact of this activism in instigating political change is a dynamic process influenced by various factors.

During the pandemic, the 2020 General Elections in Singapore became a focal point, with both the incumbent and opposition parties addressing pandemic-related concerns. Recognising the heightened interest in local politics during the crisis, CAPE (Community for Advocacy and Political Education), a political advocacy group from Yale-NUS, intensified its efforts to enhance civic awareness. They also utilised social media to disseminate information about the electoral process by creating simplified and well-designed infographics to address political concepts, electoral fairness and the GRC system in Singapore.¹⁰

Continued efforts in educating the public on political matters, especially the youths, is crucial in ensuring that Singapore is always on the right path, with well-informed and educated citizens. This can be done through youth activism as youths are the future of our nation.

III. Societal Equality

In other countries, social inequality may be more prominent as compared to Singapore. A recent case of social inequality and injustice that brought activists all over the world into action would be Black Lives Matter (BLM). Thandiwe Abdullah is a 13-year-old youth activist who co-founded BLM Youth Vanguard. Thandiwe played a crucial role in incorporating the BLM movement into school programmes. Specifically, the efforts of the BLM Youth Vanguard concentrated on minimising the presence of police in the LA Unified School Districts (LAUSD). They achieved success by persuading the reallocation of $25 million from the LA Schools Police Department to LAUSD and putting an end to random searches within the district. Currently, they are actively working towards the complete removal of school police from campuses.¹¹

A recent incident that showed Singapore’s inequality would be when 17-year-old Zoe Gabriel showed her new Charles & Keith bag on TikTok. She deemed the bag a “luxury” but her viewers strongly disagreed. The video garnered more than 20 million views, with many insulting and mocking comments left in her comment section. She then proceeded to post another video to explain that she did not grow up with much. Hence, she found the $80 bag a luxury. This time, it received a positive reaction from the viewers, including Mr Lawrence Wong, the current Deputy Prime Minister and prospective future leader of the country, who referenced the incident in a speech where he encouraged Singaporeans not to excessively focus on status and social prestige.¹²

Youth activism plays an important role when it comes to social equality, due to the impact it has. Several social issues have been brought up recently to highlight injustices in society. Especially with the tech-enabled devices that offer continuous access to both news and user-generated content, youths only need to click a button to make the first move towards the right direction. Hence, our youths must ensure that Singapore does not let go of our values as a nation and to keep fighting for social equality.

With the influential power, youths have to urge others, they need to utilise it well and be the driving force for positive transformations. Youth activism will also help with political awareness by fostering informed citizenship and making a difference in the political scene. Youth activists are also playing a huge role in addressing societal inequalities in Singapore.

In Islam, youths have a role in shaping the world into a peaceful one. Our religion underscores the significant role of youth in shaping a prosperous future, acknowledging their capacity for growth and effectiveness. As shared by Islamonweb, “The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), in his wisdom, advised the youth to make the most of their youth, health, wealth, free time, and life itself. In the hadith, Ibn Abbas (r.a.) reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your riches before your poverty, your free time before your work, and your life before your death.” This guidance aligns with modern scientific understanding, which acknowledges the vitality and innovation of young minds”.¹³ This also reiterates the point in which the youth have a significant role to play in the community due to their capabilities during their young age.

Every youth can make a difference. It all matters – from simply reposting a social media post to participating in a campaign.