Intercultural communication is especially relevant in Singapore’s heterogeneous society. National education has taught us the need for sensitivity towards and understanding of different cultures between neighbours of different races. Every day, we are with people from all walks of life, from different ethnic groups with different beliefs and values, and we have grown to respect this great diversity. It is almost like second nature for Singapore-born citizens. We feel safe mingling and working with people from different races
In recent years, there has been a
shift from interracial relations to international relations with the focus now
being on people of different nationalities. This is so as Singapore has opened
her doors to higher skilled expatriates and lower skilled labourers to help build
and drive the nation’s development and economy.
I will touch on the rising xenophobic
sentiments in Singapore and how intercultural communication can be used to
alleviate this situation. Following
events such as the Little India Riot and the Anton Casey’s Facebook post saga,
it is not difficult to observe that it is easier than ever to spread xenophobic
sentiments and ideas. The myriad of social media platforms and forums allow us
to use them to influence their thoughts and actions subconsciously.
Personally, I feel that when it
comes to improving intercultural communication and behaviour; it is not just about learning
how to communicate with someone or a group of a different culture. Rather, it
is also about being aware of what ideas we are sharing when our ‘own’ people
tell about the ‘other’ group. What thoughts are we putting into a person’s
mind? If we are unhappy about a situation, is this an isolated event or
something that is reflective of the entire group? I do not know if you agree with me but sometimes,
we do need to reflect and be aware of what we say on online platforms
especially so, in today’s Singapore where our social fabric is as delicate as
ever .
While policymakers work on developing
the country, I hope that the delicate yet intricate social fabric of Singapore
remains a primary consideration in building a harmonious world-class state for
all and this cannot be the work of just government organizations but of us all.
Share your thoughts with me!
Hi Joyce,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your insights on the matter of intercultural behaviour and I agree with your points.
As a nation with vibrant cultures, it is essential that we are racially sensitive to our behaviour and speech. And I believe that this sensitivity comes with experience of being exposed to different cultures. I have a friend who had made a racially insensitive remark to another friend who is of a different ethnic group. However, she did not know that she was being racially insensitive and was just genuinely ignorant and curious. I believe that this was partly due to her having little friends of different ethnic groups, hence she was not sensitive enough to other races. Therefore it is important for us to immerse ourselves in different cultures and be more racially aware in order to improve intercultural communication.
Also, I believe it is important to not let our unhappiness on government policies be passed onto the expatriates and foreign labourers. They simply took the chance that were offered to them in order for a better life. However, it takes two hands to clap and it would be best if the expatriates and foreign labourers take time to understand the reason of our unhappiness. While we remain culturally sensitive and open to them, it is not much to ask the same from them. It takes two understanding parties to create a single cohesive community.
Overall, like what one of our classmates mentioned: when we are judgmental of the expatriates and foreign labourers in our country, let us not forget who our forefathers were.
Hark Hui