July 21 is Racial Harmony Day in Singapore. This is to remember the ethnic riots that occurred on the same date in 1964, serving as a reminder that racial and religious harmony is not to be taken for granted. Relations between racial groups need to be carefully nurtured and protected, to prevent a repeat of the tragic episode in Singapore’s history.
The school consequently plays a very crucial role in maintaining ethnic harmony, with Racial Harmony Day regarded as an important date in the school calendar. On this day each year, schools celebrate in a variety of ways. Students share dishes traditionally associated with their ethnic cultures, don traditional costumes, and organise small-scale exhibitions that showcase customs and festivals of different ethnic groups. Such activities provide the opportunity for cultural interactions and the space for building inter-ethnic friendships. Additionally, schools also systematically foster better inter-ethnic understanding through the curriculum of subjects like Social Studies, and Civics and Moral Education, where they develop students’ awareness on multiculturalism, and teach them how to negotiate differences.
Through years of concerted efforts at building inter-racial and religious relations, the present situation is seemingly positive. A survey on Racial and Religious Harmony conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies in 2013 showed that approximately 80% of Singaporeans are open to building close relations with people of another race or religion. However, the same study also revealed that 40% of Singaporeans are of the opinion that racial tensions have yet to be eliminated, and 31% of Singaporeans have had experienced unpleasant interactions with people of another racial group. On a similar note, news and commentaries on incidents of racial prejudice and discrimination have surfaced online, a number of which involved youths. This inevitably leads us to question ourselves if Singapore’s race relations have remained at the stage of tolerance.
I had the chance to discuss the issue of race relations in Singapore with a group of fresh graduates, and they were of the view that we (Singaporeans) often merely “tolerate” rather than “accept” differences. Although we have not faced inter-ethnic tensions in the magnitude of the pre-independence racial riots, this is by no means an indication that we have achieved and developed meaningful and deep understandings between ethnic groups. During the discussions, it was suggested that the school can play a greater and better role in advancing ethnic relations. Racial Harmony Day and the curriculum provide an elementary understanding of other cultures; we can get to know the history, cuisine, fashion, and cultural activities of other racial groups.
However, if we could take a step further to address inaccurate stereotypes and redress tensions, perhaps society can potentially progress from a situation where people of different races and religions merely tolerate the presence of others, to one where we fully accept one another. Unfortunately, several of these youths also revealed that schools seldom discuss race and religious issues, because they are widely regarded as sensitive topics. There is a constant fear of uttering the wrong words and thus offending others, or worse, being seen as racist. An academic who previously lectured at the National Institute of Education (NIE) wrote about how a social studies teacher, in an attempt to encourage deeper discussion with students, was overheard saying, “Don’t worry, I am not going to report you”. This implies that indeed, a culture of fear and hesitance prevails among students.
Educators also share similar sentiments. According to a scholar who shared her discussions with secondary school social studies teachers in a 2010 journal article, many teachers have reservations about approaching the topics relating to race and religion. In spite of the fact that the educators thought discussing ethnic relations issues that could emerge in daily life could potentially improve social cohesion, they would, however, avoid in-depth discussions in class due to the sensitive nature of racial and religious issues. They fear that they are ill-equipped to handle difficult situations, and some are even afraid that they would get into trouble with the law. Evidently, both students and educators feel that in-depth dialogue is meaningful and necessary, but are inhibited by the sensitive atmosphere.
However, is the avoidance of such topics necessarily the best way forward for ethnic relations? In an effort not to upset the status quo and to preserve harmony in its present form, we fail to question, converse and understand others. Should this be the ideal cohesion that we should strive for? Will this satisfaction or complacency potentially lead to an eruption of submerged animosity should something unfortunate happen in Singapore?
Maybe the question at hand is not a matter of whether we should talk about race and religion. Rather, we should ponder about how we can engage in constructive discussion in a respectful and enlightened manner. After 50 years of nation-building, it would perhaps serve Singapore better if we are able to undertake some risks, alter the sensitive climate that surrounds race and religion to allow more space for educators to broach related topics. In guiding students to have deep and honest dialogues on racial and religious matters, educators can help students develop critical thinking as well as empathy and respect for others when handling related issues. With such training from schools, the young would be better equipped to exercise deep thought, responsibility and tact when expressing themselves. This would be better for racial and religious harmony in Singapore in the long-term. Maybe this way, we can eventually progress from “tolerance”, to “acceptance”, and maybe even to mutual appreciation.
Dr Teng Siao See is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore. This piece is a translation of a commentary that was published in Lianhe Zaobao on 31 July 2015.
Photo via Pangea Today