Racism in Singapore
After reading a blog entry by a Malay guy called Ridzwan (I presume that is his name, going by the name of his URL), I must say that racism in Singapore is something that is still very much alive, although in appearance, everything looks nice and well.
I am not sure why some Singaporeans, especially the Chinese Singaporeans, take such a negative view towards fellow Singaporeans of another race. I speak from experience. I graduated from The Chinese High School, a school where you almost have no students from other races. I went on to Hwa Chong Junior College, where the situation is slightly better, but not much. I do notice that many of my friends who have been through 6 years of education in both Chinese dominated schools are somewhat racist.
I must say that the kind of racism I’ve seen is not the extreme kind (by that I mean actual and negative physical action against someone of another race). More often, it’s an extremely strong opinion about a race having certain characteristics and making unsavoury or even derogatory remarks.
Despite 6 years of schooling in institutions where there were few students of other races, I somehow didn’t turn out racist by any measure. I don’t know why, but I just think that it’s not right to make certain conclusions about people based on their race. While it is true that people of a certain race have slightly different habits and customs, it does not make them any less a human being.
It’s just plain unfair to think of certain races as inherently being more lazy, more unpatriotic, more prone to causing social problems etc. It’s always easier to demonise others because that makes self-reflection unnecessary. By casting others as the problem, we escape from having to consider whether we are problematic. Face it, for whatever labels that are cast on non-chinese Singaporeans, I bet to my last dollar that you will find many Chinese Singaporeans that fit the label exactly. Before Chinese Singaporeans think badly of other races in Singapore, they ought to make sure that they have the moral authority to do so.
I had the benefit of being in the minority when I went to the UK for 3 weeks in 2004. When I was there, I truly understand how it feels to be in the minority. You are always conscious of yourself because you look different from most people around you. It gave me an invaluable lesson. I think that most Chinese Singaporeans should go spend some time in a place where they are the minority and see how it feels. Nothing teaches better than actual experience.
Of course, that’s not a feasible option for everyone. I don’t think that having Racial Harmony Day is a feasible option either. What can one day of celebrations do? What is really necessary is for people of different races to come together for an extended period of time. Understanding is not forged in a matter days. It takes years. And, it better start from young. As the saying goes, old habits die hard.
Perhaps the first step in the right direction is to dismantle the SAP school system. The SAP schools focus on teaching excellence in Chinese, and students are usually Chinese. How can we reduce racism if we have such schools? I came from one such school, and I see for myself that such schools, more often than not, produce students that harbour some form of racism. And, it doesn’t help that most of these schools are academically strong institutions that attract smart students. This means that their graduates are likely to be future leaders of society, and I am not comfortable with these future leaders harbouring some form of racist ideas.
I think I’ve stirred a hornet’s nest by suggesting the dismantling of the system that I went through. I have to admit that there are exceptions, and not every graduate from an SAP school is racist. However, the odds of producing a somewhat racist person is higher in an SAP school. By the same token, I think that muslim schools (called madrasahs if I am not mistaken) should also be looked at. These schools should be confined to strictly teaching religion, and learning other subjects should be done in government schools. If we want to tackle the problem of racism and maintain racial harmony, we really need to take the necessary steps, even if they might not please certain groups of people.
At the end of the day, there is only one group of people we should look to. Sure everyone has a hand in perceptions and illusions but in a place like this, where every thing is more or less organized and enforced by a select group of individuals, we, as the people have even less control of the bigger picture than we do of our ignorantly racist neighbor who thinks its a valid question when he/she asks “Why are Indians so smelly?” or “Why do Malays have so many kids?”
Im sure you intelligent folks are aware of the rather obscene but poignant phrase;
“Shit rolls downhill’
As citizens of this company….erm I mean country, we need to look to the top dogs and watch how they act. If they can get away with disparaging remarks and hide behind political acumen when they do something that if bereft of their status would be branded as racism, what hope do we, the little people have?
Cut off the head of the dragon and the rest of the body follows.
Although this might be construed, I am not suggesting anything violent. I am suggesting however that in order for us to combat this, we need to start from the top. Racism needs to be something that’s looked at all year round, not just once per year. That’s like rubbing salt in an open wound. It’s as if they’re saying, “We’re aware that racism is still active but seeing how there are other things more important (money), we’ll give you one day per year to work this shit out,”
And while we’re looking to the big folk up there, we need to turn to those secular minded individuals who insist on speaking in dialect or their own languages, who give every other race the evil eye and urgently usher their child away from the other as if they’re infected with H1n1.
I am of a mixed heritage. Indian and Chinese. I’ve had my shares of “What race are you?” People look at me quizzically, can’t decide if they want to be insulting or curious. Lately, most are curious and respectful although I suspect it’s got nothing to do with our nation’s handling of racism and more to do with the fact that I’m a guy who works out regularly in the gym and are generally bigger and more muscled than the average person. I haven’t encountered racism as badly as most people, probably because I don’t entertain it and if directed to me, I’d reduce the person to tears with words. But what I get are my other race friends telling me stories of how their friends or family members dislike certain races. For example, someone tells me her friend hates Indians and makes a remark about all of them being ugly. And in utter confusion, I said, “But I’m Indian and she said I was handsome,”. The response I received amused and confounded. I was told that, “You’re mixed, you’re different.” yeah I look different, I talk differently and I think differently. Doesn’t make me any less than you. Just that if you entertain secular and immature notions of racial superiority then obviously, you’re lesser than me but I digress.
I get that while legally, I’m Indian, practically, I’m of mixed heritage and thus appear as a sort of enigma to most people. Like they can’t wrap their heads around the idea that people of different color actually sleep together. Wow, all I can say that is, “Hi, welcome to Planet Earth,”
I’m different all around, I never felt in sync with my mixed race. Ironically, the only racial group that never looked at me like I was weird were the Malays. I grew up with Malay friends and I happen to think they’re a talented and passionate group of people who need more understanding than our prejudice. But here we are, fighting for the same thing, in a country where rallying against anything will land you in jail or worst.
The point I’m making is something most of you have covered, although I didn’t read everything. There’s just too much. Still, my point is yes, there are individuals who’d benefit in seeing the sharp edge of the sword or rather a clockwork orange scenario where their minds are molded until they become the perfect citizen. I jest by the way.
No, racism will end with us, the people, but it’s utter change of speed lies on the very aloof and currently ignorant shoulders of the people we were taught at a very young age we have to follow even though we never really saw a point in the first place.
You know what? We should all just mix. The only 100% seamlessly effective way to wipe off the plague known as ‘racism’ on this planet is to mix, so everyone will have a common heritage somehow or another. People should mix to the point that race no longer becomes an issue at all. Race shouldn’t be required on one’s IC. Race shouldn’t affect the lifestyle of a person. Race shouldn’t affect the opportunities a person has. Aren’t we all, after all, Human?
If mixing would solve racism, why don’t we mix? Well, I’m not saying we HAVE to mix, I’m just saying that you should marry whoever you want to, regardless of race, and that should effectively mix all the races. But it seems that race is still a huge factor in choosing a life partner. Marriage is all about mutual trust, love and compatibility, and there is no reason why two people of differing races can’t love or trust one another, so the problem I feel that is with interacial marriage is compatibility.
Why aren’t two people from different races compatible? The answer is easy – Culture.
Their culture, in other words their way of life, greatly affects their compatibility. A Chinese woman wouldn’t want to marry a Muslim man, for she may have to change her name and faith. A malay woman wouldn’t marry an Indian Hindu man, for then her surname would change, along with her faith, and that is unacceptable. From these examples, its is easy to guess what precedes culture. The answer, too, is obvious – Religion.
Religion, in today’s world, is derisory. It is a testament to how pathetically gullible us humans are that more than 80% of the population of the world has some sort of faith.
…….. to be continued
I never really thought race was a big issue when choosing a girlfriend. Religion, on the other hand is. For instance, I’ve dated women from all walks of life, truly. I don’t care about the color of your skin or your language, as long as you speak English and you’re not immature.
The longest gf I’ve had was a Chinese girl and most of my ex-gfs were Chinese. I guess I must have been lucky to have found people who don’t care about race, or then again, it could just be me. I’ve dated some Malay girls and there was an American once.
But seeing how I am of catholic upbringing, it is impossible for me to consider or view a Muslim girl as a viable option for marriage or anything more than just dating. I am not willing to convert and I’m sure she isn’t either, and what’s more, her family wouldn’t take too kindly to it.
So yeah, mixing is fine. I’m mixed, ridiculously mixed that people don’t even consider me as one of the four races listed. Not that I care because I don’t look to race as an identity. The race on my IC does not determine who I am, nor does the color of my skin or the language I speak.
It is my religion, my faith and my believes that make me who I am. And before any one dares say, race and religion are NOT interconnected. I’ve seen Chinese Hindus, Malay Catholics and Indian Buddhists (then again seeing how Buddhism did originate from India, that’s not really a very good example).
But you get my point. By saying that race and religion is interconnected, you might as well say that white should marry white, black with black, yellow with yellow and brown with brown.
its interesting that ridzwans blog has become open by invitation only…I would be interested to read his blog
I have been in Singapore for 3years now. I come from a society that black or white wherever you come from it doesn’t matter. We all are one like a rainbow, but Singapore has taught me the difference between black and white. Hanging around with a few professionals from other societies some who have stayed here for over 10years are now finally throwing in the towel and can not take it any more. My personal experience is when i entered a lift and met a Chinese lady inside who held her nose and later spat just because i had entered to share a lift with her. On a bus and someone shouts racist words at you, seeking services and you are segregated.. I have traveled in many countries but even South Africa that experienced Apartheid is healing and far much better than the racism one gets in Singapore. Singapore is a great land a good place to stay but your attitudes especially racism even in the work places makes the apple stink. I hope someday Singaporeans will change and Singapore will be even a better land to live.
Whoa, which society was that you came from mate? I’d like to go there.
@Lee
If your uncle has really got guts to call me “apu”, I will break his fuckin slant eyes, pee colored face on that spot. Fuckin Cowards.
@Wolfblade
Fuck You…asshole.
Lol fuck you too dude…for whatever reason
Seriously what is your malfunction
I remember once in primary school, I asked a classmate to lend me something and she said that she can’t cause her mother told her not to talk to Indians. I didn’t think of it much back then. The girl’s Chinese.
When I was in NS, I got beaten up by a group of drunks. The fella who started the whole thing was calling me names before he got violent. I remember him calling me ‘brown shit’. Malay dude. Punk with the leather jacket and boots. Nazi insignia on his jacket. His friends were all Malay too.
About 2 years back I brought my mom out to see the fireworks on New Year’s eve. We were at the Anderson bridge. A bunch of teenagers decided to climb through the ribs of the bridge so they could beat human traffic. And the Indian workers behind them followed. There were two Chinese boys next to me who started shouting racist comments at the workers. I really didn’t give a damn about racism till that incident. Cause when I looked at my mom, I knew she wasn’t feeling very comfortable.
As for me, I’m guilty of racism myself. Racism that was born out of ignorance. Racism that was taught to me by friends and even my own parents. Racism that made me look very childish and stupid in the eyes of many I’m sure. Because being racist isn’t cool. It shows a lack of education. I didn’t realize my silly attitude till I built a friendship with one of my sergeants in NS. He broke every stereotype I knew of Malays. In fact I dare say he’s the coolest guy I’ve met all my life.
I guess my point here is, we all are racists till we open eyes and mind to something different. That alien you see walking down the street who looks just like you. Yep. You’re as alien to him as he is to you. What are you gonna do? Fear what you don’t know or conquer it?
Bringing down all-Chinese or all-Malay schools won’t do much difference if what we’re taught doesn’t change. Within those schools, knowing there’s only one race being taught there, the school can do something to teach the kids about various races. And not just in Singapore.
The new trend for Singaporeans these days is to discriminate the Bangladeshis/Filipinos/Chinese(PRC). The government isn’t going to stop foreigners from entering the country. Are we still going to sit here and show these people how ugly and uneducated we are?
I don’t know who I’m asking these questions to right now but I thought I’d share this with you guys.
Have you guys ever visited this forum3in1kopitiam?
FULL of racists comments and derogatory remarks made against Indians. Why do these people do it?
Why so much hatred? i wasn’t aware of so much hatred against a single race until i stumbled on to their site.
Do you know that the mainland Chinese are not as racists as our Singapore Chinese?
Yes, i have worked with many of them for a number of years very closely.They respect everyone regardless of the differences and not even once have i observed their behaviour like our sg chinese. And the best part is, ou sg chinese DO NOT like them!Jealousy?
It is then that i realized that ONLY our sg Chinese are so biased & racists towards others.
Though i had my share in facing discrimination practically everywhere as i ‘grew’up and do feel resentful at times, the Mainland Chinese especially, has changed my views on racism.In fact i like & respect them more even to this day.
Over the years i have met many wonderful beings, not just Mainland Chinese, but also other Asians who have come here to work.Perhaps they have come to ‘teach us’ what we lack! Maybe our sg chinese bros/sis can take a lesson or two from them!
From the same roots and they seem to be miles apart from our people! What a shame!
Oh, btw, I Am An Indian & I am proud to be ONE.No discrimination can make me small…..
Does anyone know any forums that discriminate against the Malays?
Racism, never heard of it when I was growing up in the 60’s. We were all buddies sharing ice kachang balls and drinking from the same glass regardless of race language or religion.
Our doors were always open and our parents will always ask all the neighbourhood kids who came to hangout or catch spiders, whether they have eaten? They dont care about your skin colour but you’d better mind your manners when talking to your elders.
But 50 years down the road whoa! racism is staring you in the face and a whole load of indisciplined kids abound.
What happenend? How did we come to this? Is it our upbringing…..can’t be from my experience….is it our education system….not sure, maybe. Whatever reasons that led us down this road, it is certainly not something to be proud about as a cosmopolitan citizen of this country.
I have been here for last 2 years and would agree that the singaporeans are racist. Women, not only the regular aunties you see, but even the women offering their ‘professional services’ [you know whom I am talking about] are racist. Most of them say no to Indians. I say, what the f***? And even while renting homes the house owners do not want to rent out their homes to non-chinese.. Why?
In this, I respect the PRC people who are good and courteous. They know how much pain it is to make money. Singaporean Chinese never had it good!
I kinda agree with the above post by Spider-catcher..racism didn’t seem to be a big problem back in the older days. Probably the current education system and the upbringing by parents cld be to blame.
We have been programmed from a very young age by our parents that if we don’t do well in our studies..we would end up as construction workers or street sweepers..and when u look at the people holding these jobs, its usually Indian or Bangladeshi citizens..so kids tend to think that anyone that looks like them are low class. Moreover this high emphasis on grades and paper qualifications has sort of created a superiority complex that “only the best and well paid jobs will do for me”..everyone else are uneducated. Singaporean parents don’t encourage their kids to pursue their own dreams but instead drill thier kids with a mindset that “if u don’t get the best grades now..u will not be a Lawyer, Doctor, Engineer or Accountant later in life..instead u wld be a useless failure”.
I’m sure there are people out there..regardless of race who are colorblind to others but its probably only a minority..and i think its only gonna get worst with the non-stop inflow of foreigners.
As a true born Indian Singaporean..i’m seriously considering migrating to another country..
I totally agree with you. Mainland chinese are far better than this shit hole chinks.
“You are considering migrating to another country”…This is what the GOVT and the SG Chinks want. Thats the reason they are bringing all those stupid foreigners from philippines to replace Indians. Vote wisely in the next election otherwise whole Indian community in SG will not have any future here.
Hi Paru, forum3in1kopitiam is really for losers. Dont care about those barking street dogs in that forum. They bark bark but they cannot do anything. They are uneducated, uncivilized Chinese Singaporean losers.
JOB VACANCIES + SPEAK MANDARIN = MALAY NOT WANTED AT ALL / INDIAN 50/50 NON ENGLISH SPEAKING CHINA IMMIGRANT WELCOME / CHINESE CANDIDATES MOST WELCOME! WE CAN WAIT ONE MONTH/ MALAY= SMELLY/ INDIAN SMELLY/ CHINESE STINKS URINATE AND SHITS = NEVER WASH AFTER DISCREET + BACK STABBER = PLAYED DIRTY /
If you are working in a multi-racial company, it’s not hard to see why Singapore Chinese have such lowly opinions of their counterparts.
The fact is, not only did I see it with my own eyes, I have also suffered because of their blatant laziness.
In a certain government sector, which I am not going to name it, employs alot of temp staff from a certain group.
And all that they were doing were chatting loudly in a group most of the time, turning up late for work, expended all their leave entitlements and went on ‘Extended sick leave’.
The purpose of’Extended sick leave’ is to allow a staff that has uses up their 14 days mc and hospitalization leave. But this was exploited by those staff mentioned above.
On Christmas eve, 2 from that said group even brought their kids to work, allowing them to treat the whole work place like their playground.
Another incident was where the staff was chided for her improper work done and guess what she said ?
She said we are racist for picking on her work. Really makes you wonder why did that Government department employed them to talk in a group most of their time, going for lunches and leaving work promptly even when they turn up late, etc.
Though it may be unfair to classify this racial group as lazy, but how many times have one suffered the consequences of the laziness displayed by this group?
An Extra shift or extra work just because that person from that racial group has failed to turn up or calling in sick at the last possible minute?
To be honest, not every person from that group is lazy and irresponsible. But there are countless individuals from that group that still gave us that image.
Even my friend from that mentioned group admitted that what the general perception of his race is correct as he has witnessed it himself.
If you are the Head of that Government department and the incidents sounds alot like what is happening in your office, it’s time to do some cleaning up and weed out poor performers or people who are exploiting the special leaves.
Also, you can get an auditing firm to audit the leave of the staff to see what is happening on the ground.
First of all i would like to show my respect and hats off to Aaron although beeing a chinese and decide to have this blog. In my opinion you are a true gentleman who understands well that we all are human beings whatever race we are.
I’m a singaporean modern sikh born and breed here all my life. I have had my far share of racism from the sg chinese here be it work or ppl i meet daily. Being a minority it makes me feel small and has effected my confidence a lot. I have been called racist names by these ppl sometimes in front of me not knowing that i understand a little mandarin.
What has this society become i ask myself sometimes? We the minorities are just as educated and hardworking as the chinese and dont deserve this at all. What is happening to singapore? Do we deserve to be bullied and called racist names just because we are minorities? Is this a multi racial country or does this country belong to the majority race? This is a question we should ask the goverment.
What is going to happen to our future minority generation judging by what is happening now they will feel small being a minority and not feel equal at all.
I have travelled to many places in the world and the racism here is the worst. In japan ppl are so well cultured and dont stare at you hard in the train unlike here ppl stare at you as though you are an alien if you are of another race.
The best thing is ppl here dont understand well what race i am. I am a fair north indian and have ppl asking me if i was mix like is my father a caucasion and my mother malay? They dont bother understanding the race of the minorities but expect us to understand theirs.
How i keep myself recharged is by telling myself even though im a singaporean but im a foreigner living and working in a chinese country to keep myself going in my daily life.
Greetings.
17 days had passed since new year and guess what, I still see/hear RACISM. I hate stereotypes being him/her a malay, chinese, indian, etc. There’s hardly any differences with us all except for culture and religion.
Recently, I had a brush with a Security Guard @ 1 of the office building in CBD while i was working. My job requires me to carry a huge food warmer bag pack for delivery. After I’ve delivered the food, while heading towards the exit door, there’s this security guard asking me about the huge bag pack I’m carrying. I told him that it was a food warmer bag. Guess what he replies with his sinister smile? He thought it was a “bomb”. I was totally amazed with his remarks.
Another incident, when I caught up with an old friend.
We chit chatted awhile till he asked me,
Friend: “So, how’s your child?”
Me: “Hey, I haven’t even married yet.”
Friend: “Really? Yeah, but you don’t have any child from your gf?”
Me: “No! U’re nuts?? Hey why you’re asking me this kinda question?”
Friend: “Just asking. Cos it’s quite common for your race to have babies before marriage..”
Me: “Huh? Whats your point?”
Friend: “Nothing really…”
Me: “Yeah, i guess we’ve been talking for quite sometimes. Nice miting you again after quite a long time. Gota go now for some errands. Happy New Year!”
These 2 incidents reflects stereo types. Not mentioning the races involved. Btw I’m a malay.
Cheers!!
@Wolfblade
It is quite unfortunate to be from a country that stereotypes people. Be it religion, race or gasp! body art, you name it, a Singaporean will have a name or comment about it. Although I may be Singaporean on paper, I am utterly glad that I never grew up here.
Growing up in many different countries has always rendered me the minority. The majority of my friends hail from the United States to Finland! As the blogger said, there is no better way to learn about minority groups than to be one and experience it.
Due to the fact that I do not possess a Singaporean accent, most people assume I’m not Singaporean. I therefore have been the recipient of some brutally honest opinions of Singapore especially when I broach the subject about the country. Generally it all boils down to the same conclusion: Singapore has the exterior of a first world country but dig a little deeper and you find the seeds of conservatism and intolerance that could make a hardcore republican look like a peace protesting hippie.
I was at a job training session about customer services. I was severely unimpressed at the way the lecturer stereotyped foreigners. From Arabs “who would bring in lots of money because they have multiple wives who all have bore him 4 children”, to the “ang mohs who wear skimpy clothes.” If this is not intolerance I don’t know what it is.
I feel that Singaporeans have a long way to go if they want to really break through into the contemporary world. All this stereotyping is not going to help anybody and it certainly is not going to help relations with the international community. I’m not asking the country to conform to Western ideals and abandon all the things that makes Singapore unique. One can be tolerant and open minded and still retain their originality.
So c’mon guys, don’t judge a person by their race, religion and whatnot. Broaden your minds and be open to difference!
Singapore is a strange place… things look so nice on the outside yet on the inside it has wounds that a festering. Racism is to me just a symptom of a deeper underlying problem.
Chinese chauvanism is a root of this problem I think. A lack of humility and understanding. Built upon weak egos, results in most of the racism I see here. It is compounded by the lack of action by the so called chosen leaders of our people, from school teachers who turn the other way to politicians who try to pretend that everything is just fine.
You want to make things better, shoving it under the carpet isn’t going to help. Jobs aren’t easily available for non chinese, no matter how you put it, this is a fact. There’s too much of a white fetish here. Why else do you think so many have left our shores and so many more planning to leave. Even to countries you hear about so much that apparently have strong racism. (at least they are addressing the fact they have a problem and not hiding their heads in the sand.)
Media here is as much to blame, and the worst are the older ones who perpetuate these beliefs in their ofspring. The so called educated who turn the other way or worse, laugh, saying, “but thats just life…” Truely, if you aren’t doing something about it, you are part of the problem. I wonder, with all these comments, is anthing really being done?
@Nimal De Silva
Hi Nimal my friend i strongly agree with your views as i have the same sentiments. There is really too much of white fetish and they feel that they are a superior race among the rest of us. Just our luck being born here. Cheers
lalalalalalal racist
Hi all, I get the strong feeling from this blog that many here have received or witnessed personally some form of racial discrimination. As a chinese Singaporean, I never thought that racism was an issue. since I was from a convent, everyone I know mixed around regardless of race and religion. That my parents have lots of friends from the other races, helped as well. I’m quite the idealist and I always thought some day, everyone may transcend all racial categorisation and be colour blind. However, I started noticing how entrenched racial stereotypes are when I started working. My employers had in several occasions, expressed racist sentiments and even employed people based on their race. It is really disheartening to know that such biases are so strongly embedded in some people. In contrast to the conventional view that only the ‘aunties and uncles’ have such deep-seated biases, I realised that racist people come from all backgrounds. In fact, my parents who come from the working class, are the ones who had taught me not only racial tolerance but racial integration. Yet, there’s hope for our country because most people I know are really strong protagonists of racial integration and will stand up for their fellow man regardless of their ethnicity. I believe the key to seeing beyond one’s skin colour is to interact with more people from the other races. We will then realise that the neighbour who is of a different race actually treats you much better than the other neighbour down the corridor who is of the same race.