Is there much racism in Singapore?

Is there much racism in Singapore?

• Answer:

  Absolutely YES. For example; there is significant racism directed against Indians. Whilst violence is either less common than some other countries, it is also less likely to be reported in the government controlled media. There is also a pro-Chinese migration policy in place (see the following: http://asianracism.blogspot.com/2008/01/digging-up-facts-of-singapore.html Many Indians have complained about openly discriminatory job advertisements. They also face discrimination when finding housing. For an example of this take a look here: http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/press_room/press_replies/2005/20050507_-_Employmentpracticescannot_discriminate.html (A singaporean government website) Also take a look here: http://singapore.gumtree.sg/c-Apartment-House-Real-Estate-condos-apartments-units-houses-Very-Near-to-Toa-Payoh-MRT-Blk-183-2-1-Only-1-8k-W0QQAdIdZ178368852 Again, that type of add is illegal. Take a look at the Australian Gum-tree or Canadian gum-tree and see if you can find any ads where the dominant ethnic group advertise is such discriminatory terms. You may also want to visit this site: www.asianracism.blogspot.com And finally, for an academic look at racism in Singapore (and in particular against Indians) have a look at this paper: http://www.crsi.mq.edu.au/news_and_events/documents/selvarajvelayutham_000.pdf Singapore has a lot going for it, i love it, but its important that we are honest and admit our flaws as well. Racism by the majority against Indians is one of these. Personal experience is just that; I took the effort to post factual information and examples to back up the view that there is INDEED racism against Indians in Singapore.... even the a Singaporean ministry highlighted this. you can also check out the following: http://vasanthan.blogspot.com/2007/03/is-there-racial-discrimination-against.html http://aaron-ng.info/blog/racism-in-singapore-the-sequel.html (a really good discussion on this blog) http://www.colorq.org/PetSins/article.asp?y=2005&m=5&x=5_1 That all said, its important to remember that racism is a well documented problem in Asia in general, and Singapore is no exception. Some good example are how people with dark skin are regarded as undesirable marriage partner - hence all the skin whitening products, ads in Singaporean papers for skin-whitening products etc (this fascination with fairness predates contact with Europeans, BTW) People who date (or marry) outside their own ethnic / racial group are often socially shunned or excluded, so in simple terms Singapore in the 21st century is, in many ways, alot like the USA was like in the 1920s - each ethnic groups sticks to its own ways, and there is social stigma on marrying or outside your 'group'. The reasons for this racism in Singapore could include: * The failure to fully face their own colonial past and reconcile that with our present colonial practices (e.g only recognising Mandarin as the official chinese 'language' etc) * Deeply rooted myths of ethnic / tribal / 'racial' purity that pre-date western notions of 'race' and 'white superiority' * A collective cultural tendency; that is a tendency to focus on group dynamics more at a societal and individual level, this in turn leads to an increased emphasis on being part of the 'in' group and not part of the 'other' * A lack of large-scale *permanent* migration and hence a lack of political will to enact anti-discrimination laws (especially true when you look at the pro-Chinese migration policies in place in Singapore) * A general lack or disdain for appreciating other cultures at more than a geopolitical level, built partly on overblown 'racial' pride - LKY didn't help in this regard! * In Singapore there is a certain amount of "victim mentality" with the "white" man being the main culprit. You can see evidence of a similar mentality in the approach of Robert Mugage (president of Zimbabwe) in blaming all failings on former colonial powers, all racism is done by white, all western influence is evil etc etc - this leads to cultural chauvinism in the short-term, and deeply entrenched racism in the long-term In really simple terms, Singapore has no desire to confront racism. Singapore is dominated by a single ethno-linguistic group to a much greater extent than most western or even middle eastern countries. Whilst not mono-cultural, Singapore is not multi-cultural as other countries understand it. This in turn means there a perception of being absolutely no economic, social or cultural benefit to combating discrimination, because put bluntly, the group(s) that would complain are so much smaller as a proportion of the population than in western countries, so there is much less capacity for political leaders to tap into their aspirations to earn votes, hence the voices of minorities are not important in Singapore.