Racism in Singapore..
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i dunno..feel very confused abt this topicOriginally posted by pearlie27:ceecookie, what make you think that racial riot gonna happen soon? i don't feel it at all you know? -
seriously speaking. there is a misconception that the minorities alway faced racial discrimination. but the fact is we chinese are the ones who are subjected to racism. those malay "punk" youths especially are anti-chinese. now who's racist?
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Racism is every where in Singapore but i dun think there will be an outbreak of fights between races in singapore mostly due coz we are SINGAPOREAN well mould by the govt no one will dare to start a revolt here the chee guy is a fine example
well the govt is so afraid of racism outbreak is mostly due to that we are surrounded by muslim country Singapore is a country without natural resources so we are depending on them for it all
even though our relationsip with the 'M' country is not good our govt still smiles and shakes their hand ,no choice, politics + water
look at the racism outbreak in indonesia they actually goes around beheading ppl and raping chinese but nothing much the UN can do anyway so the minority there which is chinese have to live on as though nothing had happen is it fair? and here we are being punish by stating something on the net which is so true but a hush hush matter if we were as big as china things will be diff look at how they protest against the japanese for world war 2 demanding this and tat of the things that happen years ago
if your country is need for the growth of their countries you will have a lot of say even US change their statement for taiwan 1st they was helping taiwan then big bro china steps up they say no you cant go independent
anyway before we tok abt the other races chinese themselves have to wake up too looking at our history we have been fighting among ourselves alot
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segregation along ethnic lines among students is clearly visible in schools here in singapore. all one has to look for example is at schools like river valley high or hwa chong institution. how many friends from different ethnic groups do students from this IP schools have exactly? how often do they really interact with students from different ethnic groups? when do students from Bhavan international school ever intereact with chinese or muslim students. or when do students from the madarasahs ever interact with chinese or indian students?Originally posted by Atobe:With regards to the education policy, are you referring to Singapore or some other country ?
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 ?
students from similar IP programme schools in london that come from ethnic minority schools graduate and enter a world where they have no idea what it is to be british. the same goes for singapore. how many of this students exactly leave their current IP schools in singapore and go out and have friends or understands people from different ethnic groups. how many can clearly say they are singaporeans and not chinese, indian or malays coming from this ethnic schools. the irony here we have HDB ethnic quotas but we split our kids along ethnic lines in singapore schools. -
Some of them too sensitive..
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racial tolerance good. racial harmony better.
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I believe the recent increase in racism issues, are really due to
1) event 911 and global terrorism problem
which we all know are linked to islamic extremist.
Malay Muslims are ultimately affected as many people around the world,
become more waring of malays/muslims.
More so in Sg with multiracial background with a sizeable muslim minority.
2) Rise of China
which indirectly causes more imports of PRC here.
Chinese majority Sg definitely feel affiliated to china.
Malays minority will nevertheless be affected to some extend.
What can we do?
Its really a test of our multicultural background and
how we tackle this global terrorism problem.
What i feel we know, at least, is that fights and riots are really a thing of the past.
We all need to move on as a more modern society now. -
Originally posted by gill_hfc:
Your views seems to be narrow based from your blinkered interpretation of what you intend to see, and in the manner that you wish.
segregation along ethnic lines among students is clearly visible in schools here in singapore. all one has to look for example is at schools like river valley high or hwa chong institution. how many friends from different ethnic groups do students from this IP schools have exactly? how often do they really interact with students from different ethnic groups? when do students from Bhavan international school ever intereact with chinese or muslim students. or when do students from the madarasahs ever interact with chinese or indian students?
Are you implying that the "segregation" that you see along ethnic lines are similar to the "segregation" as practised by White Supremist policy amongst some of the communities in Southern USA, or similar to the policies practised by the Afrikaaners of South Africa ?
If you have the opportunity to notice the difference, the ethnic schools in Singapore are not ENFORCED by the Government nor by the Community according to racial lines.
These ethnic schools have its own rich history with lineage back to their respective roots of the various MIGRANT SOCIETIES that arrive into Singapore.
The schools were created to allow the teachings of subject in the familiar vernacular language of the various migrants and it fulfilled its own social and educational need during the early colonial history.
It also has its own purpose in the present day context, to ensure that the original roots of the respective ethnic communities are not lost.
Can segregation in Singapore take place with the existence of four to six ELITE schools, when there are at least sixty over schools in Singapore built by the Government that has a mix of Singaporeans from various ethnicity ?
Should we blame the educational system for the inability of anyone to associate with others from different ethnicities ?
students from similar IP programme schools in london that come from ethnic minority schools graduate and enter a world where they have no idea what it is to be british. the same goes for singapore. how many of this students exactly leave their current IP schools in singapore and go out and have friends or understands people from different ethnic groups. how many can clearly say they are singaporeans and not chinese, indian or malays coming from this ethnic schools. the irony here we have HDB ethnic quotas but we split our kids along ethnic lines in singapore schools.
Your illogical statements seem to reflect a "chip on your shoulder" with the present education system in Singapore in its present form - perhaps even to the extent of having "an axe to grind" ?
Although the Singapore education system has its flaws, it is certainly far from being segregationist due to some form of ethnic discriminations. -
i dont understand why u guys got so much problems with races , i as an indian , since primary sch till now (23yrs old soon )never ever had any problem with other races b4 , non i care bout other races nor my own , i only see myself as a SINGAPOREAN , no higher no lower den other races , i got 2 main group of friends , 1st is my chionging (clubbing) kakis which are all chinese and i am de only indian , and my other group are my soccer kakis and relak down de blk kakis , which are all malay , and i again is de only indian , if i can so comfortly mix with them and have a bro bro relationship with all of them , i dont understand why u ppl got so many problem .
and also i have nv ever been treated differently from chinese /malay hawkers , and even in de army (my unit doesnt take malay) only chinese and indian , 99% chinese 1% indian , even then i was nv treated differently , and i saw my other indian friends also wasnt treated any differently , and most of de chinese guys were very close to me , would buy me makan , would always talk cock with me ,and always jio me to go outing together , i was nv a outcast or cast away even when there was like 3 indians drives and 30+ chinese drivers . , till now alot of my army chinese friends call me once in awhile to ask wat im doing and jio me go out .
i think most of u guys are just insenstive la -
Like they say: Singaporeans 1st, Chinese/Indians, etc 2nd
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i think atobe is failling to understand what i' trying to say. NO there is no axe to grind. i am a singaporean and proud to be one. but i have been around the block and have seen similar programmes which are being implimented in singapore doing harm to this kids in their countries. if we live in a multiracial society there should not be any schools built solely along ethnic lines. Using river valley high schools as an example it probably produces the brightest among the graduating classes in singapore. student from RV will probably go on to be leaders. all i'm saying is if they dont interact with students from different ethnic groups sufficently how will they ever understand the problems faced by the minoritys when this same students from RV go on to be leaders. in america schools along ethnic lines are banned.Originally posted by Atobe:Should we blame the educational system for the inability of anyone to associate with others from different ethnicities ?
Your illogical statements seem to reflect a "chip on your shoulder" with the present education system in Singapore in its present form - perhaps even to the extent of having "an axe to grind" ?
Although the Singapore education system has its flaws, it is certainly far from being segregationist due to some form of ethnic discriminations. -
We chinese aren't really racist, you see. Sure you have the odd "smelly indian" joke but then again you also have your chinese jokes too.. Most malays are fine, I feel, except a growing minority. And for some strange reason or another, it seems like the chinese are suffering the brunt of it.Originally posted by gUms:i dont understand why u guys got so much problems with races , i as an indian , since primary sch till now (23yrs old soon )never ever had any problem with other races b4 , non i care bout other races nor my own , i only see myself as a SINGAPOREAN , no higher no lower den other races , i got 2 main group of friends , 1st is my chionging (clubbing) kakis which are all chinese and i am de only indian , and my other group are my soccer kakis and relak down de blk kakis , which are all malay , and i again is de only indian , if i can so comfortly mix with them and have a bro bro relationship with all of them , i dont understand why u ppl got so many problem .
and also i have nv ever been treated differently from chinese /malay hawkers , and even in de army (my unit doesnt take malay) only chinese and indian , 99% chinese 1% indian , even then i was nv treated differently , and i saw my other indian friends also wasnt treated any differently , and most of de chinese guys were very close to me , would buy me makan , would always talk cock with me ,and always jio me to go outing together , i was nv a outcast or cast away even when there was like 3 indians drives and 30+ chinese drivers . , till now alot of my army chinese friends call me once in awhile to ask wat im doing and jio me go out .
i think most of u guys are just insenstive la
P.S: I'd just like to make it clear that I too have my share of indian and malay friends, in and out of my army life. -
I think Singapore is the least racist country in the world. Whatever tinge of racism you complain about, can you show us a country that is better?
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Originally posted by gill_hfc:
One would have thought that having "gone around the block" that exposure would have developed a broader vision and understanding of historical values and sense of history.
i think atobe is failling to understand what i' trying to say. NO there is no axe to grind. i am a singaporean and proud to be one. but i have been around the block and have seen similar programmes which are being implimented in singapore doing harm to this kids in their countries. if we live in a multiracial society there should not be any schools built solely along ethnic lines. Using river valley high schools as an example it probably produces the brightest among the graduating classes in singapore. student from RV will probably go on to be leaders. all i'm saying is if they dont interact with students from different ethnic groups sufficently how will they ever understand the problems faced by the minoritys when this same students from RV go on to be leaders. in america schools along ethnic lines are banned.
"SEGREGATION" is a PURPOSEFUL ACT of separation of one's community based on some DISTORTED SENSE of SUPERIORITY over some other communities whom we denigrate.
Were schools created along ethnic lines based on "segregation" according to the intent and meaning of the word as understood in the present day context ?
All the schools founded by the Chinese Community were during the pre-independence period :Singapore Chinese Girls' School - founded in 1899; Catholic High School - founded in 1935; Chung Cheng High School - founded in 1939; River Valley High School - founded in 1956 - and had the original purpose of bringing education and advancement to the Chinese Community.
Can these schools exclude students from the other Communities when the schools were opened or headed by foreigners ?
The Singapore Chinese Girls' School had an English Headmistress during its first year; and Catholic High School was founded by a foreigner - Rev. Fr. Edward Becheras.
By the Twenty-First Century, although these schools were founded along ethnic lines, their original ethnic characteristic is now blurred by current Government administered educational policies that placed so much emphasis on "Bilingualism".
The ability of socialising with someone - from differing ethnicity - is largely based on a shared sense of common purpose and values; and whatever that is taught during childhood through the education system, does not necessarily carry into one's adulthood,
Can we accept your view that the present schools in Singapore is based on some purposeful scheme at ethnic segregation, and the by-product is that "they dont interact with students from different ethnic groups" ? -
I dun really think many people wanna be affiliated to china... we are Singaporeans... Not CHINA..Originally posted by NuLife:I believe the recent increase in racism issues, are really due to
1) event 911 and global terrorism problem
which we all know are linked to islamic extremist.
Malay Muslims are ultimately affected as many people around the world,
become more waring of malays/muslims.
More so in Sg with multiracial background with a sizeable muslim minority.
2) Rise of China
which indirectly causes more imports of PRC here.
Chinese majority Sg definitely feel affiliated to china.
Malays minority will nevertheless be affected to some extend.
What can we do?
Its really a test of our multicultural background and
how we tackle this global terrorism problem.
What i feel we know, at least, is that fights and riots are really a thing of the past.
We all need to move on as a more modern society now.
Singapore should just abolish the race on our ID cards.... an EYE SORE!!!
Why must there be difference and state indian, malays and chinese... Just put SINGAPOREANS>>>!!!!
RACISM does exist in Sg... and to some extent its quite a big issue... just that it yet to really surface...
I have really good friends from all ethnic backgrounds... but the truth is..apart from personal friends, the general perceptions of other ethnic backgrounds are not that good for almost everyone isnt it? For those who been through army, Im sure there will be some very lazy people, or useless regulars or Nsf who are indians isnt it?( no offence to anyone, just stating what I experienced in STinking Army). -
Yes a black person being lynched by a white mob is an unfortunate incident which we generally consider as racist. But it can also be considered as some primitive behaviour of people who have yet to complete their process of evolution from beast to human.Originally posted by protonhybrid:i disagree. this is oversimplification. racism is NOT all in the mind.
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.
Racism is all in the mind means that it can be unlearned! That's how we human progress. -
I seriously don't think racial problems are "bleedingly obvious" in Singapore. The replies to this thread also don't testify to that, do they?Originally posted by Pronewbie: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.
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.
I'm sorry for the bad experience you're having in the army camp. This is actually the first time I heard of people being discriminated by the minority in the army camp. I only heard that the army camp can be quite a torture chamber where people get persecuted mindlessly. Well, let hope things will be better once you get out of the mad house.
cheers! -
Most replies in this thread do agree with me that racism in Singapore is bleedingly obvious, or is at least becoming alarmingly so. Just that most of the posters feel that it's more or less hushed up, which is also what I said.