Originally posted by jonsteadinho:
lets not get into genetics: it reminds me of Hitler and his
herrenvolk (master race). Genes may be "diluted" (politically
incorrect term), and one may be less of a person of Han or
Indo-Aryan construct. Yet, in this case, it is more appropriate to
talk about Peranakans being an ethnic group and not a race. refer
to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race
Ethnicity is not made up by genes alone. it combines customs,
traditions, language, and the delicate idea of ethnic
consciousness.
Following your reference at wikipedia.org - the given clarification
is as follows:
A race
is a population of humans distinguished in some way from other
humans. The most widely used racial categories developed based on
visible traits (especially skin color and facial features). Some
cultures have categories linked to socioeconomic status.
Conceptions of race, as well as specific racial groupings, vary by
culture and time, and are often controversial due to their impact
on social identity hence identity politics.
Is there any differences in the visible traits of a Peranakan from
that of a Chinese ?
Is there any differences in the cultural and social practises of a
Peranakan from that of a Chinese - despite somewhat dilution and
mix-patch approach in the Peranakan practising the original form
?
:
Peranakans customs have evolved through 500 years of interaction,
and in some cases intermarriage. Yet, they have not lost the idea
that they were essentially different from the Malays around them.
Similarly, under pressure to adopt the Singaporean "Chinese"
identity (as defined by the govt), they have not lost the awareness
that they are indeed different (at least to some extent) from the
cantonese and mandarin speaking people around them.
How different are the Peranakans from the rest of the Cantonese,
Hokkien, Teochew, Hakka, Hainanese and Mandarin speaking people
around ?
Do the Peranakans carry family names that are Chinese, or Malay, or
Indian, or that of some European's ?
Why should there be any grief, or wonder, or excitement over the
feeling of being different within one's own Race, Society or
Community ?
Is this not a common phenomena - for anyone to feel different
within the family, let alone the extended family of one's own
dialect or racial group ?
:
It is thus understandable that many Peranakans are disaffected with
the constant accusations that they are "bastardized" Chinese. This
displeasure is due less to the frustration at not being fully
Chinese than to the lack of understanding shown by others on their
ethnicity.
Was there any lack of understanding shown by the larger Chinese
Community towards the Peranakans as a different ethnic entity
?
Do the Peranakans qualify to be from a different ethnic entitiy
?
:
Therefore, DrWho has made a pertinent point, albeit not clearly,
that Singapore Chinese must respect their differences. I do not
believe, as he clarified later, that he is denying that he is
totally not Chinese.
Did Dr Who deny to be totally NOT Chinese, or did he not - by the
headline of this thread that he created ?
We are NOT Chinese.... We are Peranakans
How did Dr Who come to the conclusion that Singaporean Chinese DO
NOT respect the differences between the Peranakans and the Chinese
- when those in the Chinese community have to struggle to make ends
meet, and have also experienced the marriage of the various dialect
groups with those in the Peranakan community ?
