Racism in Singapore..
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Those who feel that they may be offended or are unable to contribute to this slightly provocative yet sensible discussion please do not read on.
I, personally, being chinese, have never discriminated against the minorities here in Singapore. Back in Secondary 2, my class used to conduct football friendlies during recess which we would dub "Racist Cup" where we'd pit malays against the chinese. And we actually did it in humour, rather than enimity. So when I was younger, I did not believe in The PAP's mantra of Racial Tolerance, but rather, sought to create Acceptance. In a sense, I did not see other races as a malay, indian or eurasian - but as a Singaporean.
However, I have grown disenchanted in recent years as I see more and more instances of racism primarily by the largest minority here in Singapore. Where I used to work as a waiter, the older chinese aunties would warn me about them (The largest minority) and I'd often tell them not to be so racist. I could see why, but because they did not offend me or my race, I felt that it was just their culture and if the majority of them want to lag behind in society, so be it. After all, in every society, you need low-end workers as well.
Now 21, I am looking at things in an absolutely different light. I think I have lost count the number of times I've had my food/service from the Major minority delayed because they prefer to entertain to their own race first. Most of the times I just cancel my order from them. Also, in my camp, the people in charge are "them". Expectedly, the NSFs who are of the same race are given preferential treatment BLATANTLY. Imagine being given more workload while the others slack away just because you're a Chinese? Also, I've noted that they tend to ostracised their "westernised" counterparts for some strange reason. Is it because of jealousy?
Can someone shed some light on this "phenomenom"? I fear of sharing my opinions because I may be termed a racist. It would be better if you're from the said Race.
I just hope the PAP would target not just young children but also those in their teens as well as adults about racial harmony. Maybe we'd learn more from it that way.
Also, stop hiding "ugly" statistics of races in performance charts either socially, economically or politically. Not doing so to me in considered racist. We should be more open in that aspect instead of using paper to cover all the cracks that are surfacing in our society. -
i don't quite understand.. malay are racists towards chinese or chinese racists towards malay in camp?
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Talking about this, is like wading through a mangrove swamp.
Forget it! -
Malay to Chi.
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racism is natural in singapore....most of singaporean are racist....so much that a racial riot gonna happen soon...the government trying to prevent it..kinda like bird flu outbreak
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Thing is, I don't understand why they have to be so blatantly about us Chinese for. I mean, what have we ever done to them?? I urge anyone of a minority race in Singapore to enlighten me. It could be down to me myself being a chinese, and therefore blinded by any undoing to the minority races.Originally posted by ceecookie:racism is natural in singapore....most of singaporean are racist....so much that a racial riot gonna happen soon...the government trying to prevent it..kinda like bird flu outbreak -
im a chinese too...and one point is that im not trying to be against chinese from my postOriginally posted by Pronewbie:Thing is, I don't understand why they have to be so blatantly about us Chinese for. I mean, what have we ever done to them?? I urge anyone of a minority race in Singapore to enlighten me. It could be down to me myself being a chinese, and therefore blinded by any undoing to the minority races. -
ceecookie, what make you think that racial riot gonna happen soon? i don't feel it at all you know?Originally posted by ceecookie:racism is natural in singapore....most of singaporean are racist....so much that a racial riot gonna happen soon...the government trying to prevent it..kinda like bird flu outbreak -
Originally posted by ceecookie:racism is natural in singapore....most of singaporean are racist....so much that a racial riot gonna happen soon...the government trying to prevent it..kinda like bird flu outbreak
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Racist... come on
It's in our blood... it's just the degree and extreme level... It;s call the tolerant level... and it would not intrude into your personal wealth and being.
Objectively, Wouldn't you have a tendency to treat and respect a Angmo more than local... Honest please
Most shops would give Angmo better service ... No ... even though they may not spend the same amt as you..... ? -
i don't know whether i should reply as you actually wanted to hear from them.Originally posted by Pronewbie:Those who feel that they may be offended or are unable to contribute to this slightly provocative yet sensible discussion please do not read on.
I, personally, being chinese, have never discriminated against the minorities here in Singapore. Back in Secondary 2, my class used to conduct football friendlies during recess which we would dub "Racist Cup" where we'd pit malays against the chinese. And we actually did it in humour, rather than enimity. So when I was younger, I did not believe in The PAP's mantra of Racial Tolerance, but rather, sought to create Acceptance. In a sense, I did not see other races as a malay, indian or eurasian - but as a Singaporean.
However, I have grown disenchanted in recent years as I see more and more instances of racism primarily by the largest minority here in Singapore. Where I used to work as a waiter, the older chinese aunties would warn me about them (The largest minority) and I'd often tell them not to be so racist. I could see why, but because they did not offend me or my race, I felt that it was just their culture and if the majority of them want to lag behind in society, so be it. After all, in every society, you need low-end workers as well.
Now 21, I am looking at things in an absolutely different light. I think I have lost count the number of times I've had my food/service from the Major minority delayed because they prefer to entertain to their own race first. Most of the times I just cancel my order from them. Also, in my camp, the people in charge are "them". Expectedly, the NSFs who are of the same race are given preferential treatment BLATANTLY. Imagine being given more workload while the others slack away just because you're a Chinese? Also, I've noted that they tend to ostracised their "westernised" counterparts for some strange reason. Is it because of jealousy?
Can someone shed some light on this "phenomenom"? I fear of sharing my opinions because I may be termed a racist. It would be better if you're from the said Race.
I just hope the PAP would target not just young children but also those in their teens as well as adults about racial harmony. Maybe we'd learn more from it that way.
Also, stop hiding "ugly" statistics of races in performance charts either socially, economically or politically. Not doing so to me in considered racist. We should be more open in that aspect instead of using paper to cover all the cracks that are surfacing in our society.
i do find your thread to be rather provocative in that you were using terms like "them" and "the said race". To me, racism can be overcome. It is all in the mind. Just don't pick on some isolated incidents or link any aberrations to race. Be more open-minded and more forgiving. Don't keep finding faults with others and you'll be a happier person! -
True. But that's because Ang mohs have the gift of the gab.. Are stereotypically more friendly and they actually engage in conversation with you. Plus they give tips, too..
What my point was treating your own race better by serving them first instead of someone who is in front of the queue. Hands up how many here have experienced this before.. -
Originally posted by pearlie27:
I am an open-minded and forgiving person as my friends can testify. However, from your post, I can see that you seem rather oblivious to the bleedingly obvious racial problems we have here in Singapore. I was once like you, believing "racism can be overcome, it's all in the mind". I am actually chuckling to myself as I was typing that. Imagine everyday, especially in camp, you see preferential treatment meted out and stereotypical racism coming to life right in front of you, affecting you.
i don't know whether i should reply as you actually wanted to hear from them.
i do find your thread to be rather provocative in that you were using terms like "them" and "the said race". To me, racism can be overcome. It is all in the mind. Just don't pick on some isolated incidents or link any aberrations to race. Be more open-minded and more forgiving. Don't keep finding faults with others and you'll be a happier person!
Maybe then you'd see this issue in a different light. I can just imagine many others suffering the same predicament as my platoonmates and I are. -
OK lah... OK lah... Hands up... It happened to me quite afew times in various places.
And it all happened at Malay stalls.... only malay stalls it seems.... but I am not offended, just frusssstrated with it.
BTW, I not racist, and only afew malay stalls are like that.. and I don't patronise them anymore.. they don't need my business.
TOLERANCE... remember ???? -
not to mention they want to give them a good impression of singapore...Originally posted by Pronewbie:True. But that's because Ang mohs have the gift of the gab.. Are stereotypically more friendly and they actually engage in conversation with you. Plus they give tips, too..
What my point was treating your own race better by serving them first instead of someone who is in front of the queue. Hands up how many here have experienced this before.. -
Yes Mobydog, I agree that us enlightened ones should practice tolerance, because they do not deserve our acceptance
However, the purpose of this topic is to give the minority races in singapore who patronise these boards a platform to explain how they feel about being a minority in Singapore, and why, if any racism, is showed.. I believe this would be a better way to solve racial issues compared to the PAP's way of papering cracks.. -
I like my chinese and malay and indian friends.
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racism does exist in spore but not rampant.
i been through NS and being majority in my unit we tends to ask indians to perform extra duty or more siong job. as we grow older, we tends to realise the impt of racial harmony. however racism does exist in job employment and tends to keep out the minority out of the impt post. what thread starter mention are just tip of the iceberg. if the muslims stalls dont serve according to queue but races, simply keep the stall out of the lunch and dinner shopping list next time.
recently these few years do feel abit frustrated by the nos of foreigner in our country making me wonder, do we still have the singaporean culture in years to come. my detest towards the foreigner are growing by the day seeing them taking the jobs away from fellow singaporean and using us as a stepping stone to move to greener pasture when the oppt arises.
not so much racism but simply detest foreigner in my country. -
Personal experience:
I queued up tp buy food from a malay stall and ordered exactly the same thing as the person before me. The person before me, non chinese paid $1.80 while I paid $2.50 for exactly the same thing.
When I asked my friend about this, my friend told me that the assumption is that chinese are richer and can afford the extra cost. Their own race usually gets a lower price.
Note for the stupid: I am NOT promoting racism nor am I against any race or religion. This is a personal experience and NOT a rallying call of any kind...
Sheesh, have to have special paragraph for stupid people...
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this is very unfortunate. no matter who is the recipient and who the perpetrator, no matter what ever he "assumes", this kind of double standards can not be tolerated. at least you should have asked the stall owner what is the deal.Originally posted by SilverPal:Personal experience:
I queued up tp buy food from a malay stall and ordered exactly the same thing as the person before me. The person before me, non chinese paid $1.80 while I paid $2.50 for exactly the same thing.
When I asked my friend about this, my friend told me that the assumption is that chinese are richer and can afford the extra cost. Their own race usually gets a lower price.
Note for the stupid: I am NOT promoting racism nor am I against any race or religion. This is a personal experience and NOT a rallying call of any kind...
Sheesh, have to have special paragraph for stupid people...
personally, i 've seen bad ppl from all the races, religions, languages, nationalities (present in singapore) concerned, and i've seen good too. the extent varies but i have seen all kinds within each and every community.
however, this kind of incident, no matter what can not and should not be condoned. no matter whatever the "assumption"
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i disagree. this is oversimplification. racism is NOT all in the mind.Originally posted by pearlie27:i don't know whether i should reply as you actually wanted to hear from them.
i do find your thread to be rather provocative in that you were using terms like "them" and "the said race". To me, racism can be overcome. It is all in the mind. Just don't pick on some isolated incidents or link any aberrations to race. Be more open-minded and more forgiving. Don't keep finding faults with others and you'll be a happier person!
you surely would understand that if you were, e.g. some black person being lynched by a white mob in some other country. you wouldn't think racism is ALL in the mind!
to me the threadstarter had some valid points, maybe some ppl will disagree, some ppl will agree. without resorting to violence, threats or ugly name calling if ppl can discuss and resolve these issues rather than let them fester, it will help the community of singaporeans and nonsingaporeans too. -
In Singapore, it is accepted that the Chinese are dominant in every sector of society from politics to economics. To ensure racial harmony, I take the view that the dominant race should do everything in its power to protect and empower minority races. All things being equal, if there is some form of discrimination, I would rather that it is the dominant race that bears the brunt of it.
That is the reason I view with great concern the tendency of some Chinese employers not to employ non-Chinese employees under the guise of language abiliy, especially when most Singaporeans speak English anyway. -
instead of reading the pledge in schools blindly, maybe its time we had teachers explain word for word what the pledge is exactly saying. there are clear signs of segregation among our communities.
i have lived through 2 different time zones(being singapore and london) and i can safely say things dont seem to be the same among the communities compared to 10 years ago. in our rush to plug into globalisation we have sacrificfed tolerance among us singaporeans. when you see our leaders harping about china and india constantly that is calling for trouble. china and india has never lived among different ethnic lines side by side. doubt you find indians as chinese neighbours in shanghai. its taken us a generation to bind the different communities together and by inviting all this 'foreigners' here we are unravelling those close bonds in the name of globalisation.
our education policy of segregating students among ethnic lines in chinese, indian or madrasahs schools is a time bomb of its own. i have seen first hand in london where similar policies leave students of ethnic minority groups that come from such schools lost in a sea of multicultaralism. they just do not understand the british or the british way of live. -
aiyo...if a malay overcharge you for the food...then u're the total idiot if u ever go back to that shop again.
U fool me once...shame on you...U fool me twice...shame on me... -
Originally posted by gill_hfc:
It is sad that after FORTY YEARS of continuous rule by a Single Political Party - that dominate the political scene with little tolerance to any form of alternative views and voices - is it any wonder that the fruits of the seeds sown are now being seen ?
instead of reading the pledge in schools blindly, maybe its time we had teachers explain word for word what the pledge is exactly saying. there are clear signs of segregation among our communities.
Like the durian tree, the spiky fruits will appear and come in all its various sizes, shapes, smells and tastes - some with worms burrowed through its shell.
Segregation has been effectively imposed when the Ruling Party saw the threat of a congregation of a minority ethnic community - that is determined to live in its own identity, culture, traditions and customs - as was reflected in the mass show of support given to an incumbent from the own ethnic community.
From a perceived threat to its total domination of local politics, the Ruling Political Party move into action to dilute this threat; and in the disguised process of "social and communal re-engineering" stepped into the "realm of racism" in all its unwelcome perceived forms and consequences.
The subsequent subtle efforts to dilute the congregated ethnic groups through a systematic program of rebuilding the area, and follow-up policies of HDB Quota system, ensured that such an ebberation in local communal development cannot happen again.
With Politics as it is in Singapore, will the understanding of the Singapore Pledge written in English, and the National Anthem written in Malay, help Singaporeans to be concious to the intended wordings that are supposed to mould our National Psychic ?
In the constant forced march towards the development of Singapore, the various communities have been uprooted from a rural background, while some others have seen their familiar urban surroundings wiped off the surface for some new gleaming super skyscraper to grow.
i have lived through 2 different time zones(being singapore and london) and i can safely say things dont seem to be the same among the communities compared to 10 years ago. in our rush to plug into globalisation we have sacrificfed tolerance among us singaporeans. when you see our leaders harping about china and india constantly that is calling for trouble. china and india has never lived among different ethnic lines side by side. doubt you find indians as chinese neighbours in shanghai. its taken us a generation to bind the different communities together and by inviting all this 'foreigners' here we are unravelling those close bonds in the name of globalisation.
These communities from rural and urban surrounding were used to living in homes of one, two or maximum three floors - with spacious rooms and high ceilings; but were suddenly moved into tightly packed two, three and four room HDB Flats with bedrooms no bigger then the store rooms of their previous older lodgings.
These tight living spaces are stacked into multi-storeys of twenty storey blocks, and with the blocks being built so close that one has little privacy from the peering eyes of those living in the opposite blocks.
The new generation flats are built in even tighter poximity, at a distance slightly further then the length of the laundry pole.
In such an environment, can tolerance be second-nature to Singaporeans ?
Can social and communal integration take place in a surrounding where PRIVACY become a premium commodity ?
While resolving the national housing problems of the 1950s and 1960s, has the Government a.k.a the Ruling Political Party ignored the advise of social workers, and mental health advisers ?
With regards to the education policy, are you referring to Singapore or some other country ?
our education policy of segregating students among ethnic lines in chinese, indian or madrasahs schools is a time bomb of its own. i have seen first hand in london where similar policies leave students of ethnic minority groups that come from such schools lost in a sea of multicultaralism. they just do not understand the british or the british way of live.
There is hardly a determined effort by the Government a.k.a the Ruling Political Party in segregating students along ehtnic lines but there are flaws in the education policies and programs that ascentuate the ethnic differences.
This has led us to the present problems being faced amongst teenagers, adolescent, and adults FROM THE MAJORITY ETHNIC GROUPS - having difficulties in handling inter-ethnic relationships, the vast ignorance of the language, culture, customs and traditions of the minority ethnic groups.
Is it not surprising that those in the minority ethnic groups do not seem to have a problem in understanding or knowing the language, customs, traditions, and culture of the Majority Ethnic Group in Singapore ?