SOCIO-POLITICS
Issue 7: Current Socio-Political issues
C) Sexism and gender stereotypes
Sexism was another important theme. Participants explored gender
stereotypes in all spaces as well as sexism in religion. Sexism, eroticism, and
exoticism in media representations (e.g. item girls in Tamil cinema) were also
discussed. Overall, people found difficulty in discussing these topics as they
are considered taboo.
Discrimination against racial minorities was, at times, a deeply personal
issue for many participants. They discussed racism in schools and workplaces
at every level. Schools and workplaces often respond with half-measures or
outright negligence. Constructive responses to discrimination are difficult
to explain and perform as they are often met with less than desirable results.
Moreover, racism often begins at a young age, which makes educating
children vital. Some participants believed people need to be tougher as
people are innately racist. Chinese privilege was also hotly discussed as
many people still deny its existence. The inwardness of the Indian
community and simultaneous divisions within it only exacerbate the situation.
Source: Goh, C. (2016, December 07). When Singaporean Chinese becomes minority abroad. Retrieved from
https://www.theurbanwire.com/2016/12/when-singaporean-chinese-move-abroad/
Maathi Yosi | 2019
40
D) Racial discrimination