extracted from straits times forum.
WITH the publication of the third racist blogger case ('3rd racist
blogger convicted but may avoid jail term'; ST, Oct 27), I feel
compelled to share my concern. I restrained myself after the first
two cases were reported. Now, I think this concern deserves an
airing.
I think there are grounds to investigate whether the Chinese
majority - especially the youths - do not get sufficient
interaction with minority races in Singapore.
While I appreciate government reminders for Malays to mingle with
mainstream society, I am conversely concerned if the majority
Chinese do not mingle enough with every stratum of society.
I would be even more concerned if this situation was not on the
Government's radar screen to begin with.
I do not suggest that interaction alone will foster stronger racial
harmony. Familiarity can breed contempt as much as it does
understanding.
Education and upbringing are most important. Yet these will be
ineffective without interaction.
What I suggest is that it is much easier for the majority to miss
the point that it does not interact sufficiently with the minority
races.
This is simply because the minority races stick out like a sore
thumb when we behave in an insular manner. Whereas the insularity
of the majority is hidden by the presumption that it is the
mainstream of society.
The mathematics of our demographics support my point. It is more
likely for the 75 per cent majority to be deprived of interaction
with the 25 per cent minority than the other way round - even if
the majority tries hard to interact.
It is more likely for the minority to brush shoulders with the
majority, even when we make no attempt to try. It is more likely
that we understand, tolerate and accept the ways of the majority,
than the other way round, unless proactive action is taken.
Fine, this is all mathematical probability. So, for a reality
check, I offer one piece of anecdotal evidence to support my point.
I hope the powers that be will gather statistical and other
evidence to verify or nullify it.
Perhaps then we will know for sure and take the right action.
A year ago, my wife met a fellow social worker from a different
agency. She was a 35-year-old Chinese Singaporean graduate of a
local university. She came with her Indian colleague.
Before they parted, she made a sincere unsolicited remark to my
wife: 'Wah, today I am very happy. At last I can say I have one
Malay friend and one Indian friend.'
I have not missed the point that this woman developed such a
harmonious attitude despite her lack of inter-racial
interaction.
As I said earlier, education and upbringing are most
important.
I hope readers don't miss the point that a typical Chinese woman
may be deprived of interaction with minority races despite 35 years
of living and being educated locally.
If this is typical, proactive measures are needed to check the
trend.
Osman Sidek
