Racism in Singapore?

 The programme on racism currently showing in CNA starring Janil Puthuchery gives the impression that racism is a serious problem in Singapore. Even little kids got slighted or offended if someone said he would look more handsome if he was a bit fairer.  I dunno how these kids would survive if they were in the USA or Australia. They may not even dare to leave their homes.

What to expect in a multi racial society like Singapore, to be free from little brushes of antagonism between people of different races? The naive little kids may think it is possible to have no such encounters, however minor, between races. But would adults think that this kind of ideal state be possible? If they do, then it is a waste of time for them to have lived for the decades of their lives. Or they are lying to themselves. I say, grow up, or stop being a hypocrite or troublemaker.

The accusation so far is that the Chinese majority is racist and discriminating against the minorities, or at least that is the picture coming out from the programme. I would ask a simple question, if the Chinese are racists, why are there so many mixed marriages involving the Chinese? Or I ask another question, why are the minorities so overly represented in the govt and so successful in their profession in an absolute Chinese majority city state? Or has the racial composition been changed?

Historically, from the thousands of years of Chinese history, racism has never been a serious issue in China and Chinese culture. China has 46 ethnic groups with the Han Chinese in absolute majority but no racism of any kind and they lived harmoniously.  In a multi racial society there are bound to be some incidents of unpleasantness and antagonism, but more due to individual characters from either party. But the encounters cannot be like the racism in the West where the minorities can be beaten up or even killed because of the colour of their skin and have to live in fear while walking on the streets.

And in Singapore, we have all the laws in place to keep racism in check, racism of the majority against the minority. What we lacked are laws to curb minority racism against the majority, to prevent the tyranny of the minorities against the majority. In many incidents, it is the majority that were at the receiving ends of racism in Singapore. The govt must not allowed groups to exploit their so called extra sensitivities as n excuse to oppress and limit the social actitivities and way of life of other ethnic groups. 

The many incidents mentioned in the programme by kids or racists pretending to be victims were at best good for a laugh than to be taken seriously. When there are so many races living so closely together, there would be biases, prejudices, because of the differences in colour of the skin, culture, antics, social behaviours and mannerism, and some may become the butt of a joke. Sometimes they can be offensive but most of the time not meant to cause harm. People living in a multi racial society and cannot live with a little differences and slights, and scream racism at every incident, need to be sent to the IMH. Many majority Chinese also have unpleasant encounters with the minorities, but should they cry racism? Living in a close knit society, a lot of tolerance and give and take are needed to maintain some balance. If every little thing, done unintentionally, is called racism and ground to persecute and berate another race, then social activities would come to a standstill and intolerance would be the norm.

The race issue has been delicately cultivated and managed for decades by the govt and Singapore is about the most pleasant place to be in for any minority race. Any minority expecting anything better should look forward to staying permanently in heaven. The govt must be sensitive, but must not be led by the nose by the racists in their wild and mischievous allegations and accusations of racism in Singapore. It is not only the minorities that have sensitivities. The majority are also sensitive and some are also extra sensitive. The govt has to be extra sensitive to those out to exploit racial difference with their hidden agenda. It is all about intent and purpose, like the intent and purpose of this racism programme. Is it to promote racial harmony or otherwise?

I feel very sorry for some of the entertainers and artistes making a living and be attacked for cross dressing as other races...when there was no intent to ridicule or hurt another race. This is stupidity and cannot be condoned and be accepted as a social norm. What is so wrong for one to dress up in another racial costumes in the course of one's profession when there is no intent to harm, hurt or ridicule the other race? What would happen if there is an Indian wave or Malay wave and everyone wants to dress Indian or Malay to be fashionable? Not acceptable? Racism? Offensive? Singapore is not a tiny village in some far out corner of the earth. Singapore is a cosmopolitan city state. We cannot afford to let narrow minded racists to dictate what is allowable or permissible and what is not to other races.

I can see Janil enjoying hosting the programme but I think the govt should not encourage such programmes as the sensitivity of individuals or racial groups cannot be underestimated. What is or is not sensitive or offensive is relative and unfathomable. As long as the govt plays fair, is there to watch over racial conflicts and grievances, that is the key to stable racial coexistence, peaceful and harmony would be a bonus. 

We cannot change our history or composition of our society. The govt can do, at least, is not to aggravate it or to upset the balance that have existed for so long and quite well. The tolerance of the majority must not be taken for granted. Just because the majority remains reticent when accused of racism does not mean that they would accept such bashing forever. No balance or composition is the right balance or right mixed. Stirring the hornets' nest, no matter how well intended, how the govt perceived is the ripe time, is quite unnecessary as the outcome can be very unpredictable. The society is mature, perhaps, but many individuals are not mature, many are cupboard racists putting up a false front and harbouring different agenda.

Let the society grow at its own pace and find its own balance while keeping a close and watchful eyes on the racists and troublemakers, and haul them up quickly when they crossed the line, should be the way going forward. Pretending to be mature and wise to talk about it is cutting the ice too thin and no one is wiser when a spark is lit for the worse.

No one is an expert, no one can understand and control a racial brew that could turn bad. There is no need to act too clever on such issues. No one is God, the knows all.

What do you think?