That We May Dream Again added 2 new photos. Tan Wah Piow spoke to the students of the University of Singapore soon after his release from prison. He had served a years imprisonment for a false charge of rioting. In his essay published in Escape from the Lions Paw, Reflections of Singapores Political Exiles, Tan Wah Piow wrote: The theme of my talk to the students was the need to speak out against the culture of silence pervasive in Singapore, a culture crippling for the development of a healthy democratic political sphere. I pointed the finger at the ruling party, which over the years inculcated such fear in the populace that the average Singaporean became politically mute and impotent. Unless as individuals, each of us took courage to confront the fear within us to challenge the political constraints imposed by the State, and to expose every act of repression, Singapore would remain an un-democratic single party state. I told the students: “I was conditioned to have my eyes blinded so that I see no social evils; my ears plugged so that I hear no cries of the people; and in case I did see or hear some evil, my mouth was to be gagged so that I spoke no protest. I broke the rules altogether. I ripped the blindfold and saw the pathetic living conditions of neglected pioneers of Chinatown and the exploited workers of Jurong. I dug out the earplugs and heard the voice of Said Zahari coming from behind the prison walls. Finally, I took the decisive step to liberate myself – I spoke up.” Although I was expelled from the University of Singapore, that occasion was like a graduation ceremony for me. Better than receiving a “Certificate,” workers from the American Marine factory attended the rally and presented me with a silk scroll bearing the words in Chinese, “Victory to Justice.” I had no regrets that my Architecture study was cut short after spending over four years at the University. Architecture was, after all, as defined by Buckminster Fuller, “everything outside the body.” Had it not been for the School of Architecture, it was unlikely that I would be standing where I was, addressing such a mixed audience, many of whom came to show their solidarity. What I had learnt in the four years had, I felt, equipped me with sufficient knowledge and experience to prepare for the next stage of my political life, whatever it might be. This book is published by Function 8 Ltd and is available in English and Chinese at Pagesetters. Price: S$20.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 12:53:35 +0000
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