Welcome to\u00a0Stomping Ground<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 a space where Stompers share reflections, personal essays and social commentaries that spark conversation and insight.<\/strong><\/p>\n Should National Day<\/a> merchandise do more to reflect Singapore\u2019s multicultural identity? One reader thinks so.<\/p>\n After coming across National Day T-shirts featuring English and Chinese text, Stomper Sugiman <\/strong>says the designs raised broader questions about how Singapore is represented through merchandise associated with national pride.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Chinese words themselves are not offensive,\u201d he said. \u201cThey simply refer to Singapore and the date of independence.\u201d<\/p>\n However, Sugiman feels merchandise marketed specifically for National Day carries greater significance than ordinary commercial clothing.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is not simply selling a design; it is selling an image of Singapore,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He added that Singapore\u2019s four official languages \u2014 English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil \u2014 together reflect the country\u2019s multicultural and multiracial identity, while Malay remains the national language.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are not merely administrative arrangements,\u201d he said. \u201cThey reflect the historical and social foundation of Singapore as a shared home for different communities.\u201d<\/p>\n Sugiman stressed that his concern was not the use of Mandarin itself.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen a National Day product gives prominence to English and Chinese while excluding Malay and Tamil, the concern is not that Chinese should not be used,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cMandarin is part of Singapore\u2019s identity and should certainly be represented. The concern is whether a product claiming to celebrate the nation is presenting an incomplete image of that nation.\u201d<\/p>\n He believes representation matters because national symbols and celebrations help shape the public\u2019s understanding of who belongs.<\/p>\n \u201cIf some languages and communities are repeatedly made more visible than others, even unintentionally, it may create the impression that certain groups occupy a more central place in Singapore\u2019s national identity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Sugiman also suggested that clearer guidelines could be considered for merchandise officially promoted, licensed or marketed as National Day products.<\/p>\n He said such guidelines need not dictate every artistic decision but could establish broad principles that reflect Singapore\u2019s multicultural identity.<\/p>\n Among his suggestions were encouraging or requiring National Day merchandise to:<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not a call to remove Chinese words, nor is it an accusation against any particular community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a call for greater awareness and responsibility when national identity is used for commercial purposes.\u201d<\/p>\n Sugiman\u2019s views come amid a broader discussion about inclusivity in National Day merchandise.<\/p>\n On July 20, Stomp reported on online discussions<\/a> after some netizens questioned why National Day T-shirts sold at FairPrice featured mainly English and Chinese text, with no Tamil.<\/p>\n \u201cNational Day merchandise should reflect the Singapore we claim to be,\u201d Sugiman said.<\/p>\n He added that Singapore\u2019s multiculturalism should not only be reflected in official speeches, school textbooks and National Day performances, but also in products, advertisements and public imagery created in the name of the nation.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen something is sold as a celebration of Singapore, it should make Singaporeans of every race and language feel that they are part of the picture \u2014 not merely observers standing outside it.\u201d<\/p>\n Have your say on Stomping Ground! Write to us at stomp@sph.com.sg or WhatsApp 9384 3761.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n Have something to say? Join in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Explore more on these topics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n See something interesting? Contribute<\/a> your story to us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHow to ensure national pride merchandise speaks equally to all Singaporeans<\/h2>\n
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