Racial Blindness?

In reference to the recent National Day Rally Speech by PM Lee.

Should we learn to be "racial blind" to the presence of sensitivity of racial issues in Singapore? This is a question posed by many netizens in forums discussing the issue of racial acceptance. Some wonder why we are putting so much hussle to educate on racial differences and learn how to be tolerant to other races. Our PM also dedicated much time on this issue during the speech.

Singapore society is just like a fabric; interwoven with all kinds of people from different races. People have already gotten used to living with other races that people have closed two eyes or are oblivious of other races' customs and practices.

Some argue that this concept of blindness is actually beneficial in nurturing a multi-racial society as the idea of "equality" and that "we are all the same as Singaporeans" will be easier and this will unite our society as a whole. So, why kick a fuss out of this racial differences? We have already gotten used to the other races and treat them as the same anyway? After all, Singapore has already been successful in accepting gender differences.

It is fact that Singapore is a multi-racial society and therefore, we are vulnerable to conflicts. "It is a bolder and grander vision", as Dr Balankrishnan said, to understand and accept each other's customs and differences, rather than try to deceive ourselves that we are all the same as Singaporeans. Conflicts are bound to happen - from the jam caused by mosque and church gatherings to Malay weddings and Chinese funerals in void decks. Feigning ignorance will not solve the problem - Singaporeans love to complain, still. The greater step towards a cohesive, multi-racial society is to be conscious of each other's customs, and really accept them.

Blindness to differences is to feign ignorance. Understanding and accepting is progress.

Singapore is not as homogeneous a society as Japanese, thus there are more complications involved. However, this actually benefits Singapore. Although both are ageing populations, Singapore would have a higher ground in solving this problem - foreigners who come into Singapore would find it a much easier time to blend into our "rojak" society than be in a all-Japanese society and feel left-out.