Late Night with SPJ: Screening of “Merdeka”

“As the Singapore Bicentennial is celebrated, six young people form a group called Raffles Must Fall to examine our country’s colonial legacy. During their gatherings, they pore over forgotten texts and artefacts, re-enacting scenes from the past to better understand the nightmare of subjugation… and the dream of self-determination.

Drawing upon a wealth of historical documentation, including speeches, newspaper articles, petitions and songs, “Merdeka / 獨立 /சுதந்திரம்” confronts us with questions about our colonial past and how it still echoes through our present and into our future.

Why celebrate the beginning of colonialism rather than its end? Has Singapore gained independence without truly undergoing a process of decolonisation? And if Raffles must fall, what will he take down with him?” – excerpt from Wild Rice

Inspired by the recent conversation on Raffles Renounced, the Singapore Policy Journal is hosting a FREE screening of Wild Rice’s “Merdeka / 獨立 /சுதந்திரம்” on 19 Feb, 9pm to 12am SGT (8am – 11am EST)! Join us for the screening and stay for a discussion on the themes in the play. Limited slots available, open to undergraduate and graduate students only. Sign up at bit.ly/SPJMerdeka. See you there!

Image Credit: Wild Rice