To totally eradicate racialism is totally is difficult if not impossible because you are dealing with people’s emotions and mindsets, which have been mounded through years of misconceptions. However, we must try to lessen racist attitudes through education and information. These will help people understand more about other races, religion, cultures and beliefs.

In Singapore, the people commemorate Racial Harmony Day on every 21 July. On this day in 1964, Singapore saw racial riots. It was the worst racial riot ever happened in Singapore. The incident taught us a very valuable lesson, i.e. to tolerate each other. This can only be achieved only by having better understanding among the people in Singapore. Now, even though there are different types of races living here, they manage to live in peace and harmony. These will ensure the continued peace and prosperity that we have enjoyed for many years.

In fact, the constant compartmentalization of Singaporeans into their CMIO (Chinese, Malay, Indian and Others) moulds may accentuate stereotypes of each race and discipline individuals into focusing on each other’s skin color.

By placing these contextually different historical events (such as the Maria Hertogh riots) together, one is more likely to regard fellow Singaporeans through racial lenses while also perpetuating a sense of insecurity.

Nevertheless, taking into consideration the current global climate, to promote inter-racial cohesion by giving examples of stereotypes of the different racial groups serve more harm than good. This is because in order to bring to attention the differences between races that have to be bridged, there is a tendency to resort to stereotypes to illustrate its existence before work can be done to eradicate it.

Racial Harmony Month could also be replaced with a month that commemorates another aspect of NE – community involvement projects. This aspect of NE nurtures active citizenship, social responsibility, compassion and leadership skills through voluntarism in all areas of Singapore life, ranging from community service to the less privileged, responsibility for the environment, and an awareness of shared democratic civic duties. Such a focus would serve as a better vehicle to strengthen trust between Singaporeans in their capacity as Singaporeans rather than their hyphenated identity.

To totally eradicate racialism is totally is difficult if not impossible because you are dealing with people’s emotions and mindsets, which have been mounded through years of misconceptions. However, we must try to lessen racist attitudes through education and information. These will help people understand more about other races, religion, cultures and beliefs.

In Singapore, the people commemorate Racial Harmony Day on every 21 July. On this day in 1964, Singapore saw racial riots. It was the worst racial riot ever happened in Singapore. The incident taught us a very valuable lesson, i.e. to tolerate each other. This can only be achieved only by having better understanding among the people in Singapore. Now, even though there are different types of races living here, they manage to live in peace and harmony. These will ensure the continued peace and prosperity that we have enjoyed for many years.

In fact, the constant compartmentalization of Singaporeans into their CMIO (Chinese, Malay, Indian and Others) moulds may accentuate stereotypes of each race and discipline individuals into focusing on each other’s skin color.

By placing these contextually different historical events (such as the Maria Hertogh riots) together, one is more likely to regard fellow Singaporeans through racial lenses while also perpetuating a sense of insecurity.

Nevertheless, taking into consideration the current global climate, to promote inter-racial cohesion by giving examples of stereotypes of the different racial groups serve more harm than good. This is because in order to bring to attention the differences between races that have to be bridged, there is a tendency to resort to stereotypes to illustrate its existence before work can be done to eradicate it.

Racial Harmony Month could also be replaced with a month that commemorates another aspect of NE – community involvement projects. This aspect of NE nurtures active citizenship, social responsibility, compassion and leadership skills through voluntarism in all areas of Singapore life, ranging from community service to the less privileged, responsibility for the environment, and an awareness of shared democratic civic duties. Such a focus would serve as a better vehicle to strengthen trust between Singaporeans in their capacity as Singaporeans rather than their hyphenated identity.