“Singaporeans Criticize Netizen’s Meme Mocking Local Activists as “Woke SJWs” “

SINGAPORE: A Reddit user under the handle “LaksaTang” recently sparked backlash for posting a meme mocking a group of Singaporean activists and authors as “woke social justice warriors” (SJWs). The meme contrasted historic figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., labeled as “woke people from the past” who “fought for social issues,” with current Singaporean activists, whom it dismissed as “self-proclaimed SJWs” seeking attention.

The meme specifically targeted author Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh, journalist Kirsten Han, and activists Kokila Annamalai and Suraendher Kumarr. Posting it on the SingaporeRaw subreddit, LaksaTang captioned it with, “Life is good for the SJWs today, that’s why they got time to do what they do.” Many Reddit users quickly responded, defending the contributions of today’s activists.

One commenter, “supalooper,” pointed out the irony, saying, “People back then said the same thing about MLK, Gandhi, etc. And yet here you are enjoying the world they’ve helped create.” Another user, “MathNorth8835,” referenced Singapore’s history, noting, “Even LKY was the biggest woke SJW championing workers,” invoking Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s early support for workers’ rights.

The backlash reflects a growing appreciation for contemporary activism in Singapore, where discussions around social justice and systemic issues continue to evolve. By labeling present-day advocates as mere attention-seekers, the meme disregarded the ongoing work of today’s activists, sparking a strong defense from online communities in support of progressive change.