When racial slights persist, what does it mean to react with civility?
In 2019, an ad campaign featuring Mediacorp actor Dennis Chew sparked controversy in Singapore by depicting Chew, a Chinese actor, portraying characters from the country’s four main races—including a brownface portrayal. The ad, created by NETS to promote e-payment inclusivity, instead ignited a backlash for its lack of racial sensitivity, underscoring the complex undertones of racial representation in Singapore.
In response, musician Subhas Nair and his sister Preeti produced a satirical video expressing frustration with racial insensitivity, but Subhas faced legal consequences, including a two-year conditional warning. Most recently, he faces trial for “promoting feelings of ill will” due to his commentary on racial issues, raising the question: when addressing racism, how can one respond in a “temperate and dignified” way?
Subhas argued that his video was meant as satire, expressing genuine frustration rather than an attack. But as Deputy Public Prosecutor Suhas Malhotra pointed out during his trial, responding to racism in a “temperate and dignified manner” might prevent legal repercussions. This expectation of restraint raises broader questions about how Singapore’s minority communities are expected to respond to experiences of racial slights, from subtle biases to overt discrimination.
Racial discrimination stings deeply, especially in a country that prides itself on multicultural harmony. But for many, the call for “temperance and dignity” in the face of these experiences feels inadequate and out of touch. It’s hard to remain calm when a lifetime of repeated racial slights adds up, and these slights continue to be downplayed as mere “cultural sensitivity” issues.
If responses must be “temperate and dignified,” then perhaps they could take a more subtle, ironic form:
When confronted with criticism for dating outside one’s ethnicity, a simple reference to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle can make the point.
When cultural cuisine draws complaints, remind the complainer that they are welcome to season their own food too.
And when someone relates their own experience of racial bias abroad, listen empathetically, holding back from pointing out that it’s a daily reality for minorities here.
However, these examples merely underscore the need for more open dialogue. In a society that values harmony, the challenge remains: how can those affected by racism address it in a way that is both heard and respected?
