As a multiracial society, racial harmony is a crucial aspect we need to work on. However, according to findings from the recent CNA-IPS Survey on Race Relations, many Chinese Singaporeans do not seem very enthusiastic about the issue.
The 2021 survey found that Chinese respondents were more optimistic compared to minority race respondents about the level of harmony in society and were less likely to believe that majority privilege exists. In particular, older Chinese respondents were most satisfied with the current race situation.
When asked when they thought Singapore would truly become “’regardless of race, language, or religion’ as our national pledge describes”, Chinese respondents were again the most optimistic: 35.1 per cent felt that we have already achieved this state; a higher proportion compared to Malay (33.8 per cent) and Indian (27.8 per cent) respondents.
Chinese respondents also displayed the largest differences by age, compared to other races. While less than 30 per cent of those below 51 years old felt that society was already regardless of race, language or religion, more than 40 per cent of those 51 years and above believed so.
Regarding dialogues about race and racism, 58.6 per cent of Chinese respondents expressed fatigue. Even though over half of the youngest group (aged 21 to 35 years) were supportive of having more public dialogues about race, older Chinese held the opposing view: 55.7 per cent of those aged 36 to 50 years, 62.3 per cent of those aged 51 to 65 years, and 71.7 per cent of those older than 65 expressed fatigue about racial dialogues. Given that over half of Malay and Indian respondents above the age of 50 also said they are tired of racial dialogues, it is likely that race is a sensitive topic for older Singaporeans.
Still, the tendency to shy away from sensitive topics cannot explain the finding that over half (56.2 per cent) of Chinese respondents above 65 years old — compared to 46.3 per cent of Malay respondents and 35.4 per cent of Indian respondents of the same age group — said they were unaffected and apathetic about race-related incidents highlighted in the media. This highlights the lack of concern many older Chinese Singaporeans have towards this issue.
These findings are not surprising. Without personal lived experiences of racism, it can be hard for one to feel the need to advocate for change. After all, Chinese Singaporeans have the numerical advantage as the majority race. Compared to those from other races, they have many more chances to meet and interact with fellow Singaporeans who speak similar languages or have similar practices. Based on numbers alone, they are less likely to encounter discrimination or inconveniences based on racial differences in Singapore.
What is Privilege?
But just because many Chinese Singaporeans do not experience these uncomfortable encounters does not mean they do not exist.
When the topic of race and racism gained more public attention last year, some cautioned against adopting all ideas related to multiracialism and racism indiscriminately because many were developed by people in other countries, particularly in the West. They instead suggest that such concepts ought to be placed within local contexts.
Some also posited that there was no such thing as “majority privilege” in Singapore. However, the survey results paint a different picture.
Compared to respondents from other races, Chinese Singaporeans clearly have a bias for their own race. Around 90 per cent of Chinese respondents were able to accept Chinese Singaporeans marrying into their family, becoming tenants, or managing their business. However, less than 60 per cent are equally accepting of Singaporeans belonging to other races taking up these roles. Meanwhile, around 70 per cent were willing to accept other races as their boss, colleague, subordinate, or as Prime Minister or President of Singapore.
The results also indicate that respondents of other races were more accepting of Chinese Singaporeans, even though the reverse trend was not observed.
The answers to these questions on acceptability make no mention of any characteristics beyond race; they depend entirely on respondents’ personal preferences. It is definitely not illegal to say you prefer one option over another. But when individual preferences culminate such that one group is clearly more accepted than another, this one group, the majority Chinese in Singapore’s case, will end up in an advantageous position in society. Such preferential treatment is also “privilege”, even if it does not stem from policies or institutions.
Although we strive to be a meritocratic society, these expressed preferences suggest that racial differences are still weighted more than merit in many cases.
Given that their racial preferences are the most pronounced, Chinese Singaporeans will have to ask themselves why such preferential treatment exists in Singapore, despite being a multi-racial country.
Are we able to achieve “regardless of race”?
One perspective arguing against the idea of “majority privilege” posits that this term places Chinese Singaporeans in the spotlight, perhaps even as targets of enmity.
However, the survey results present evidence that the Chinese do enjoy some advantages in society. Rather than arguing about the existence of privilege, perhaps what we can do instead is to acknowledge the situation and work on possible solutions.
It is of course impossible for individual Chinese Singaporeans to enact structural change in our society on their own. But instead of being indifferent to racial discrimination because we are personally unaffected, perhaps we can use our privilege for the better.
So, what can we as members of the majority race do?
Six in 10 Chinese, Malay, and Indian respondents believe that the most helpful thing the majority can do is to display empathy when minorities face discrimination. Over half of minority race respondents also feel that voicing support for minorities after racial incidents occur is helpful.
Support from the majority is crucial to tackle racism in Singapore. In fact, it provides a clear signal to society that not everyone holds prejudices against other races, and highlights that racist acts should not be condoned.
Public dialogues are also crucial. For those fortunate enough to have never experienced racial discrimination, listening to others’ stories and partaking in conversations about race allow us to better understand different perspectives.
In a multiracial society, fair policies help to ensure that all are treated equally. However, what is perhaps of greater importance, especially at the individual level, is the sense of warmth and acceptance felt when interacting with one another.
Personally, if I were to answer the survey question, I would say that we have not yet become “regardless of race”. It is a lofty ideal, but I remain hopeful that Singaporeans can achieve it, if we learn to look past categorising others based on skin colour and simply view each other as fellow citizens.
Dr Teo Kay Key is a research fellow at IPS Social Lab of the Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore.
This piece was first published in Zaobao on 2 May 2022.
Top photo from Pixabay.