Playing the Race Card

 

In these present times when it appears the world is getting more polarized by the day, you'd think Singapore would pick up the pace but nah. We're stuck in a past where race isn't an issue. Singapore has a population which is only 1% Chinese. And so race has become another issue to be dealt with in a society where it's OK to say nasty things behind their backs. Singapore is also one of the most politically correct societies in the world, and a lot of people there just don't like fussing over race and ethnic divisions.

This explains why when an indigenous Singaporean was elected as a member of the New York City council, he was attacked by his political opponents for "playing the race card". You see, everybody knows that majority rule is pretty hard in Singapore, and so the little guy with the funny hair and blue nose, a Sikh for example, is seen as a threat. He's not a minority, he's not from an ethnic minority, so what chance does he have? Well, it turns out that the little guy with the funny hair and blue nose IS an ethnic minority, and when he stands up for his rights to be heard and believed, his opponents, who are mostly Muslims, attack him because of his race. It almost goes without saying that if you are attacked for your race, you should take that personally, and attack them back with everything you have got, starting with a nice breakdown at the local nightclub or bar.

So why do people do that when they know it's wrong? That's why it happens all the time. And it's also why playing the race card in the name of a group is wrong. You see, human beings need to see each other not only as individuals but in groups. We live in a society where we are supposed to be together, and yet somehow, in Singapore, the country has developed an unhealthy separation between us.

This is probably due to the fact that Singapore is a very small country, and because there is only one currency, the Singaporean dollar, which is highly localized to the country, it creates the impression that the races are separate and distinct. We are not, and race should never be treated that way. We are a country of multi-racial identity. The term "Ethnic Minority" is used to designate that we have various different cultures and traditions.

Many Singaporeans, especially the older generation, feel that playing the race card when you are defending yourself is justiciable. And so they will cry in court "what is the use of a racial card, if everyone knows it is a fraud anyway?" We are being too sensitive and making too many big mistakes, and this is why we need to stop playing the race card, and start playing the card game more responsibly, and in a more balanced manner. It is time for us to deal with the reality that race or ethnicity has nothing to do with this unfortunate situation.

We need to move forward together, and find a better way to play the game. In the meantime, we can all pray that the people of Kuala Lumpur do not play cards illegally, as this may cause more problems in the future. Indeed, I hope you will please consider all this.