Hello every, my reader Peter Leong left me question
in a comment on one of my recent posts and I thought I'd like to do it justice with a proper post. Here is Peter's thought-provoking questions on racism in Singapore.
"I wanted to ask you about race or ethnic relations in SG. I see you mentioned in previous posts about racism in SG. But your examples usually involved chinese being racist towards foreigners (ang moh, china etc). And one NS example of chinese dun like one indian but okay with another. Do you mean chinese sinkies are more racist towards foreingers? Or that in your experience you only got see those examples? or is it just locals are all racist?"
I need to start with a disclaimer: of course not all Singaporeans are racist, but
racism is everywhere in Singapore and the situation is fairly unique. Allow me to directly respond to Peter's question's first. Yes my examples usually involve Chinese-Singaporeans being racist towards Indians, Malays or Angmohs for a simple reason: in Singapore, Chinese people are in the majority and racism usually involves the majority oppressing the minority. I do think that Chinese-Singaporeans are particularly racist not just to foreigners but to other Singaporeans who are not Chinese (ie. Malays and Indians). In contrast, I have not found Malays or Indians in Singapore to be racist. And yes,
Europeans are far less racist than Chinese Singaporeans, by a long way. It irks me that Chinese Singaporeans have his massive blind spot - they will raise hell the moment they spot a racist incident in the West but would gladly turn a blind eye to fellow
Chinese Singaporeans behaving in a racist manner towards other Asians like Indians or Pinoys (as long as they are not the target of the racism, they don't care).
Allow me to explain why I believe this is the case. Chinese Singaporeans like my dad had for a long time been quite used to the idea that ethnic Chinese people will always be in the majority in Singapore, but the recent influx of migrant workers have challenged that long held belief. Two things have happened - firstly, there has been an increase in the number of non-Chinese migrant workers from places like India, Philippines, Vietnam and other countries. Let's deal with this first and analyze the impact that these migrants workers have had on the ground.
This has very much changed the everyday experience of the Chinese Singaporean uncle - so for example, my dad used to be able to go to his local shops (such as the supermarket) in Ang Mo Kio and
just speak Mandarin/Singdarin with the staff. But now, increasingly, he finds that he is forced to struggle on in English with the Filipino staff who do not speak any Mandarin (not that they're particularly fluent in English anyway) - my dad resents that as his ability to speak English is limited and more to the point, he is a creature of habit. He has always been quite happily speaking Mandarin in Ang Mo Kio for many years now (we first moved to Ang Mo Kio in 1979) and suddenly, at the age of 75 - he is being forced to change his habits. As a result,
this has made him uncomfortable, resentful and unhappy about the whole situation. Are people like my dad being intolerant or simply too lazy to adapt to the changing situation?
People like my dad don't get a say in what the policies are when it comes to migrant workers - he merely sees the local impact of the decisions made by the government. Now many people like my dad have asked questions like, "we have always relied on local people to staff these shops in Ang Mo Kio all these years and things were fine - why do we need to change things? Why do we need all these foreigners suddenly? Why are they replacing the locals? Why are there locals unemployed when there are so many migrant workers in Ang Mo Kio?"
These questions leads to a growing sense of resentment towards foreign migrant workers - I have to state strongly that I feel that this is a misplaced sense of resentment,
you should feel resentment towards the government who implemented the policies in the first place, not the migrant workers per se. Now, the other major source of migrant workers in Singapore is China - and despite the fact that they do speak Mandarin, they couldn't be more different from Singaporeans culturally and
there has been a lot of friction between the locals and the PRC migrant workers. Again, we see that same resentment from local Singaporeans who feel usurped by this influx of PRC migrants - so this isn't racism per se (Chinese on Chinese racism?), but it then turns into a sense of xenophobia: a hatred of anyone foreign.
I have been told that I should not blame Singaporeans (or at least not be so harsh on them) - after all, I live in England,
I'm not having to fight my way onto the MRT early in the morning in Singapore or deal with a PRC passengers on the bus who do not pay and behave obnoxiously in public. In response to that, I say, I do sympathize, I have spent time in China and hated the experience. So sue me, I am just being honest - trust me, until you have taken
a public bus in Shanghai at rush hour from Puxi to Pudong, don't come and lecture me about my Chinese cultural heritage. The locals often spit in the bus, that's right, not into a tissue, not onto a spitoon, just onto the floor of a crowded bus. Gross! Yucks! Like, that is so disgusting. Fuck that shit man, they are fucking gross in Shanghai! That would never ever happen in Singapore (unless it is a PRC doing that kinda gross shit).
But I digress, I can see examples in Singapore that would make even the most mild mannered, polite Singaporean experience feelings of xenophobia as a result of some of these migrant workers (particularly the PRCs). So a side effect of xenophobia is this "
assumption of mutual hatred" - it is something I have talked about on my blog before, ie. "if I hate you, then I assume that you must hate me." This is a self-fulfilling prophesy that is often
fueled by confirmation bias in the way these people look for evidence that justifies their xenophobia.
Let's stick with the spitting example - if a PRC man spits in public in Singapore, he is probably not doing it deliberately to annoy the locals. Rather, it is a habit of a lifetime that he has not changed, even though he realizes that it is socially unacceptable (and in fact, illegal) in Singapore. Whereas a Singaporean who witnesses the spitting may choose to take it very personally, as a direct challenge to the local customs and culture. I find this Singaporean xenophobia and this "assumption of mutual hatred" really quite frustrating, sickening and at times, scary.
If you guys didn't want this influx of migrant workers, then why did 60.14% of you vote for this then? Sorry if this sounds unsympathetic, but 60.14% of you asked for it - and as for the 39.86% of you who didn't, then perhaps it is time for you to leave Singapore as you are always going to be overruled by the majority
who do still clearly support the PAP's stance on foreign talents.
I can only explain why we have such xenophobia and racism in Singapore today but I really don't have a solution given that these foreigners are here to stay, you can't kick them out or get rid of them. There is an element of
生米煮成熟饭 here - it is too late to try to change anything now. All I can say is that I am so glad I am no longer living in Singapore and don't have to deal with the influx of PRCs there -
I have talked about the situation of PRCs in the UK on episode 3 of my vlog, where I compare and contrast the situation in the UK and Singapore. There is more I can say about the issue of racism in Singapore - but I have drafted a vlog post which I intend to record when I am in Singapore to deal with the issue. Akan datang! I have got to finish packing now as I have to leave for the airport in about 5 hours 30 minutes. I hope that I have at least given you a satisfactory answer to your question Peter.
As usual, feel free to leave a message - I will still have access to internet on my travels. Thank you!
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| That's Morocco in the photo - I am headed to Oman tonight! |
Actually, I think that the racism practised by Singaporean Chinese is not only restricted to Chinese from elsewhere such as China, but also, extends itself to other ethnic groups such as South Koreans, Japanese, and maybe even whites and blacks too. In my time back when I visit Singapore again, everytime I do end up chatting with some people from high school or university days, the issue of South Korean women being "ALL" "plastic" and "fake" is always brought up by them, as well as other racial spews of hatred which are unfounded. I was like, "Please, this is not a moral issue, so do not say anything demeaning to anyone who is of a different race or ethnic group." Honestly, it goes beyond explanation. The education system did little to correct all these silly ways of thinking in them, and most of these people are even college graduates!
ReplyDeleteI do agree a part of this has to do with a misdirected anger, in which they direct anger which should be directed towards the flawed and messed up system wrongly towards foreigners who do not deserve it, or just end up being in the line of fire since they look different. However, another reason might also be this "I am better than all of these people" attitude--a sense of entitlement in other words--which has been inbred within them by default of the social and educational system.
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DeleteAnd even if they did, there's nothing really wrong with it unless it becomes an addiction. I am sad to say there are some Singaporean Chinese who are like that but I hope you would not assume that all are the same. Oh and what do you mean by 'the education system'? As much as I want to talk about all parts of your msg, I couldn't understand it so I will stop here. I don't mean to sound rude at all btw I just want to clarify how you view Singaporean Chinese as and hopefully can improve on the impression you have towards us.
DeleteHi, I don't want to start an argument, just a discussion will do. I would be one of the Singaporean Chinese who tries to stop some people from saying that South Koreans (men too) went through plastic surgery. And even if they did, there's nothing really wrong with it unless it becomes an addiction. I am sad to say there are some Singaporean Chinese who are like that but I hope you would not assume that all are the same. Oh and what do you mean by 'the education system'? As much as I want to talk about all parts of your msg, I couldn't understand it so I will stop here. I don't mean to sound rude at all btw I just want to clarify how you view Singaporean Chinese as and hopefully can improve on the impression you have towards us.
DeleteI find irony in people who bash immigrants for lack of hygiene when they are descendents of immigrants who likely lacked the same sense of hygiene. Singaporeans are examples of what becomes of poor, uneducated PRC migrants when they move to a more advanced nation. The first generation may be less adaptable but the second generation usually assimilate well. As a naturalized Chinese American who was once a PRC citizen I find it odd if not disingenuous to see Chinese Singaporeans to bash PRC migrants, the later who are basically following the footsteps of the formers' ancestors. If there is anything to be learned its that Chinese of all other cultures are very quick and easy to assimilate.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things you learn in the West is to not judge people by their race/nation of origin and instead by individual merits. Many Singaporeans seem to be obsessed with race and nationality origin, not much different than what I have seen in the anti immigrant KKK movement in the US. They defend prejudice rather than speaking against it. Usually this sort of thing is perpetrated by the ignorant masses who lack self confidence to deal with new comers. Many Singaporeans unfortunately are not above this.
Lastly, if you want to tell it like it is, the Subway system in Shanghai is not all that bad especially in recent years. The efforts made during the expo did change people's manners. I have taken MRT for two years now in Singapore and have not seen too many people behaving badly. That said I have seen more people giving up their seats to elders on shanghai subways than on Singapore mrt but that is obviously anecdotal. I think the PRC incidents are over hyped by the proponents of anti immigration movement for political purposes.
This article lacks balance and contradicts itself. If you are in the UK you will know only too well what a mature multicultural society is. This 'blind spot' you mention is actually culture and it's unfair to call it that. I'm pretty sure that Chinese Singaporeans are unaware of how different their 'heritage' is. Anyone with at least one eye and ear can openly observe the behavioural differences between Chinese and basically everyone else. I say that because that is how different the culture is and is the basis of Chinese culture. Today it manifests itself as xenophobia in singapore and a bunch of other socially hazardous behaviour. Everyone knows that Chinese find it hard to integrate and don't appreciate other cultures but in context of Singapore, they are the most vocal when it comes to intolerance in this fledgling society. There seems to be v little tact when they speak about the foreigners. You know, the people that have physically built to country, serve you your food. So I say to your father, look to his own culture of money and prosperity and ask why locals are not working in the shop. It's because of the pursuit of more wealth and cheaper labour. Saving money. Don't blame the government also. You are not entitled to anything unless you earn it. And by the way, in Singapore we are all immigrants if you go back a few generations. Look at the map.
ReplyDelete"Now, the other major source of migrant workers in Singapore is China - and despite the fact that they do speak Mandarin, they couldn't be more different from Singaporeans culturally .." i bag your pardon??
ReplyDeleteI am a singaporean and so were my ancestors and we are culturally very different from those of China's. I think mister, this is the root of the problem.. forgetting our identity and try to identify ourselves with china ..while trying to run away from it.
"Now, the other major source of migrant workers in Singapore is China - and despite the fact that they do speak Mandarin, they couldn't be more different from Singaporeans culturally .." i bag your pardon??
ReplyDeleteI am a singaporean and so were my ancestors and we are culturally very different from those of China's. I think mister, this is the root of the problem.. forgetting our identity and try to identify ourselves with china ..while trying to run away from it.
Don't be ridiculous. I may have inherited certain facial features from my parents' DNA but I certainly didn't inherit their language or culture. Whether or not you have any cultural affinity with your parents or grandparents depends a LOT on your relationship with your parents and I had a very cold, distant and at times difficult one with my parents - they weren't that interested in me when I was growing up and often I was left to my own devices, to make my own decisions and do what I wanted. On one hand, no they never forced or imposed their culture on me, on the other hand, it would have been nice if they had made more of an effort to connect with me - but regardless, I am a total yellow banana: white on the inside, yellow on the outside because my parents simply did nothing to pass their culture or language onto me. My dad's Hakka and I don't even speak a word of Hakka, despite that being my dad's mother tongue - that's how little effort my dad made to pass any of his culture onto me.
DeleteIt's not a question of 'running away' from your culture - your cultural identity is determined by your experiences and after I've grown up with parents who couldn't be asked to even talk to me much as a child, how the hell was I supposed to inherit their culture? Mind you, I used to think it was so cool that I could hang out as late as I wanted as a teenager and roll home in the middle of the night without my parents asking any questions - my classmates used to think that it was so cool that my parents allowed me to do whatever I wanted. But in hindsight, it is so wrong to take so little interest in your children. Anyway, that's why I have zero cultural affinity with anything Chinese.