Coming back to how “racism” exist even within a community where everyone is the same race (weird right) – you can look at this video by laowhy86 on China’s internal stereotypes.
You will realise that alot of the descriptions and stereotypes will sounds REALLY familiar (regardless which country you are from and which races your country have)
Its because racism IS some form of invention of sort. It highlights “race” as the reason for the discrimination (which is how it is translated in chinese: 种族歧视 – which literally translated as racial discrimination)
However, the actual thing that is happening, is NOT racial discrimination – its simply stereotyping or tribal distinction.
For example, people living in Hougang, Singapore are stereotyped as opposition / worker’s party supporters – BECAUSE that is the distinction in actions and behavior that sets Hougang apart from the rest of Singapore.
However, while this seems to be true, IS also a stereotype which is actually not SO true when you look at the facts. The entire northeastern part of Singapore, especially where Cheng San GRC used to be – is predominantly teochew/hokkien – whom used to live in villages – whom thus are more “grounded” and “rural”, as compared to say, people living in Holland V – Bukit Timah area.
Thus they took a huge liking for Low Thia Kiang, whom is a passionate teochew orator. In contrast, PAP’s white and clean image is synonymous with the english-speaking elites that, just happened to be, the same stereotype I mentioned about, the people who live in those elite-heavy areas.
Thus it is the rebellious nature of “rural” or lower SES people (that you will find all around the world) that wanted to give that middle finger to the establishment elites, that propelled the support of Worker’s Party or Opposition in the North East.
But of course, this nature is changing with the average education level of the population in the North East – and thus you can see the transformation of Worker’s Party as well with younger more capable candidates that uses more educated logic and arguments to compete politically.
This seems like a huge “off-track” – but it is relevant.
We instinctively differentiate people into various identifiable groups based on what distinct them from others. Skin colors and facial/physical differences often stands out – because it is the most obvious distinction with just one glance.
Then with further experiences and time, the increase interaction/observation spawns further distinctions, like some people whom always rowdy, or loud, or wealthy, or haughty, etc… this is then reinforced into the stereotypes that is already plain factual like skin color or religion.
These stereotypes HELPS people navigate the world “safer” than if they do not know.
For example, seeing the dot or the white ash on the forehead signifies that this individual is Hindu. So what is the distinction of Hindus – they do not eat beef. As such, non-Hindus are able to navigate safely in the social settings to avoid eating beef around them, or gifting beef to them ; or to bring beef into the temple.
Similarly, a chinese individual who you identify as christian, perhaps because of the crucifix necklace or the “god bless you” – allows you to navigate safely by avoiding conversation with them in regards to religion or your disbelief in christianity.
Other more less politically correct uses of such stereotypes to navigate safely is, for example, people with tattoos who speaks hokkien loudly, are naturally identified as ah bengs or gangsters – thus people will keep away or stay extremely polite towards these individuals – or totally avoid the back alleys in Geylang to minimize the need to bump into or interact with these people.
There is a purpose to our natural tendency to stereotype – and thus racial distinction. However, when the distinction is wrong or negative – this results in discrimination.
Thus coming back to this youtube video – you can see that chinese people in China, despite the same race, behaves in exact same predictable patterns of the alleged “racism” that “plagues” USA, Europe or Singapore (actually everywhere)
Thus, racism is a misdiagnosed problem, or more accurately, racism’s definition is wrong in the first place.
Racism is the ability to identify racial traits and racial difference. Period. – There shouldn’t be anymore thing to this definition. Discrimination should NOT be part of the definition of the world racism. If we want to say someone discriminate racially – then the word is “Racial Discrimination”, not racism.
Discrimination is also not the same as distinction of people’s differences or stereotype. Because you need to be able to stereotype or identify a distinctive trait/difference BEFORE you can discriminate (a group or an individual).
And even so, everyone does stereotyping (as I said, its a survival mechanism), and even if we “discriminate” within our minds (which is what you need to do, to avoid getting yourself into trouble, as per my examples prior) – most people do not do “verbal/public discrimination”.
Why? Because to verbally or public discriminate against someone – is an action of a bully, or, colloquially : an asshole.
When someone fat shame another – that person is an asshole. When someone fat shame an entire race – that person is still an asshole. He is not simply a racist. (as mentioned racism is just the differentiation of races)
More accurately, he is a racist asshole.
But fundamentally – the issue is – that person is an asshole. Thats all.
Its not about racism or discrimination. EVERYONE can tell what race one another is. EVERYONE discriminates to ensure that they do not trend on each other’s tail. BUT, EVERYONE should have the self control to not be an asshole.
Thus, my point – Don’t Be An Asshole.
