Where I live is a country called Singapore. Singapore is known to many as the global metropolis, a multiracial and multicultural society in which all kinds of people live in harmony. Sure enough our National Pledge goes like this: “Regardless of race, language or religion, to build a democratic society based on justice and equality”. Singapore stands as a testament to the possibility of creating a unified society.
However, this harmony was not always a privilege enjoyed by Singapore. Singapore has come a long way to achieve the unification that it has today. In 1824, Singapore became a British colony, and its population—comprising Chinese, Indian, and Malay communities—was segregated into designated areas, divided from within. Then between 1942 and 1945, Singapore was occupied by Japan, during which they were further separated from within. The Japanese put the Anglo population behind bars, and operated the Sook Ching massacre against the Chinese population. A number of people in the Malay and Indian population were then either forcibly or voluntarily cooperative with the Japanese. The varying attitudes toward the Japanese occupation during the war fueled tensions within Singapore’s population afterward. After the war, British rule returned to Singapore, but slowly dissipated when sentiments for independence began to arise in 1946. In 1963, Singapore merged with the Federation of Malaya, Sarawak and North Borneo (Sabah) to form the Federation of Malaysia largely in pursuit of economic development. However, in 1965 Singapore split with Malaysia largely due to racial conflicts, and achieved the independence it has today.
Perhaps it is through repeated divisions that Singapore has ultimately achieved the unity it is renowned for today.
Taking a linguistic lens: Division creates Unity
As a person interested in linguistics, I could think of a few examples when division creates unity. When we think of Labov’s concept of prestige in language, a way of communication may be considered prestigious within a social group or context, but derogatory in another social group of context. Labov refers to this as ‘covert prestige.’ According to Giles’ Communication Accommodation Theory, by adopting the language, slang, and jargon of a particular social group, we are often diverging from the communication norms of another group.
Taking an anthropological lens: Creating unity without division
From an anthropological perspective on the other hand, I could argue otherwise. Some anthropological evidence suggests that it may be possible to create unity without promoting division. The 2014 film PRIDE recounts the story of “The London Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM)”. The LGSM group was founded in July 1984, 4 months into the year-long miners’ strike of 1984-5. During this time, miners were in conflict with the then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Margaret Thatcher as she became a threat to the labor community. As a gesture of support to a fellow minority group, the LGSM “built solidarity links with the South Wales mining communities of Dulais”. This alliance between the LGSM and miners is evidence that accord does not always have to come out of an occasion of division.
Still, one could argue that the LGSM movement is an example of unity emerging from division. Though not as explicitly obvious as the ostracization of the mining community by the government, the LGBTQ+ community must have been deemed uncanny by the government. It is likely that this shared experience of alienation and marginalization brought these two groups together in solidarity.
Do we need division to create unity?
In this view, division (or conflict) is an essential phase in the development of unity. However, proponents argue that unity can be achieved through non-violent means—such as cooperation, understanding, and shared goals. Ultimately, the question becomes: Does unity explicitly require division, or is division merely a byproduct of efforts to cultivate a tight-knit community?
What do you think? Do you think we can create unity without encouraging division? Let me know your thoughts supported by evidence from the disciplines of your interests in the comments!
Sources:
