Feb 25, 2006 22:08
Let's talk about Tammy.
In fact, she put the College on the world map. From Hong Kong to New York to Nigeria to France. TammyCollegeName was the most searched keyword on the internet, and Tammy was the most talked about personality. There are even Tammy T-shirts and merchandise, and pay-per-view sites capitalised on her video.
Ok I have seen the video, but has since deleted it.. so please do not ask from me anymore.
I remembered when I was conducting a programming class, these boys in my class were gathering around a pc, furiously curious. I asked what's the deal there? They told me that they have found a website where apparently, one of the classmates have posted herself nude online. I didn't walk over and look.
Is there a need to? Is there anything new? Haven't these boys seen enough on the net? Is making porongraphy illegal in Singapore making any difference in the our lives nowadays? Not much.
I told the boys: "What your classmate chose to do with herself and how she wants to run her life is her business. It's none of your businesses.. so get back to your homework before I shut that off!"
Do we still follow by the book of law about the proper procedure of reporting porongraphy viewin and possession? Should we lock up the boys, all guilty as charged?
I sympathise with Tammy. Yes, she was a victim of some vicious act of some kid who just wanted to spike her I guess. But she fell as a bigger victim to the conservative society, where it felt like... anyone who crosses the line should be reported, tied and stoned to death.
NOT that such videos hasn't been circulating around. I heard of some clip of a singaporean malay boy and girl doing it, and its been going around handphones for ages. I think today's BH picked up the same story on its pages too. But this couple didn't fall victim to the society. Why? Because nobody reported it.
The vicious kid may have sent it to lecturers and staff of the College, but if the college has dealt with it internally, would the girl be spared? Maybe.
Yeah, you will argue that the internet is the catalyst. Then maybe the media should play its part.
Nevertheless, I felt sorry for Tammy, but at the same time, positive.
It is a big SLAP on the conservative Singaporeans. Its a big shout out to the conserve saying - "Hey look, this is as good as it gets... the more you try to repress these things, the more sensationalistic it will be, when it is unleashed... "
The conserves should really relook at their guiding 'framework', and the authorities have to look at the question of illegalising pornography.... has it done more harm than good? Will legalising give rise to greater transparency and a step forward. We have to relook at the society values and match it against evolving cultures and ideaology. Homosexuality is one area that they have to look at.
We can continue to REMAIN the way we are, where local run television channels only paint 'sanitized idealized society' concepts. (For eg, a very effeminate guy is just effeminate by actions.. in the end, he is very much straight, and marry a girl in the last episode'.. in other words, there is no such Concept of gay). Just like when I told my mum that Leslie Cheung was with his boyfriend for ages, she replied "Siao" (They're Crazy). Somehow, the 'brainwashing' and ignorance installation has been most successful, in most part of our little conservative society.
Our authorities have been so successful in counteracting what is perceived to be immoral or damaging to the family and social unit. So successful that I can see myself in 20 years, we will be so backward that we may be a skewed-minded tribe in danger of extinction. Already, the channel 8 drama series seem to play on the same storylines and concepts...since 20 years ago.
Playing safe has a greater toll than not playing it safe. So what there are victims if we dont play it safe? Victims learn. A society of no victims is a society of ignorance.
My friend from France was very uncomfortable when he was greeted by the Singapore streets.
He asked me "Why are there no fallen brown leaves on the streets?"
I know what he meant...and I felt disappointed too somewhat.
The reactions to Tammy and Anabelle are just small reminders and checks on the maturity levels of our society, and hopefully the authorities do bring home something to think about.