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tomitomi
Do you have anything like this in your country?
By tomitomi
@tomitomi (5429)
Singapore
July 19, 2010 12:48pm CST
Come July 21st, for us who live here in Singapore, this is the day where we remember and celebrate Racial Harmony Day, although not gazetted as a public holiday. The idea of a racial harmony is ever so critical in a multi-religious, multi-lingual, a multi-cultural, multi-racial society like ours.
The idea was first mooted in the 1990's based on a true-life tragedy that happened here way back in the 60's when racial riots broke out and took its toil in the loss of lives and properties. Besides, it brought the small economy then to a standstill. Schools and public organizations were the first to experience this as children and staff were encouraged to wear their ethnic costumes. Today, big, private organizations have taken part in. People begin to wear costumes not from their own ethnic background as they sample the food and culture of one another.
Do you think it helps to foster harmony among the different ethnic groups? Let's hear your views. And thanks!
7 responses
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
20 Jul 10
We don't have that kind of holiday, but I think that it is good to foster harmony among different ethnic groups. Our country has one of the most number of ethnic groups having different languages and cultures, and most of the division among the people arises from the difference in race. I think that while each should revere his/her own ethnicity, we should learn to accept others' as well.
1 person likes this
@tomitomi (5429)
• Singapore
20 Jul 10
Hi gloryacam!
I think no country can escape inheriting a plural society. The extent of this pluralism and diversity becomes more evident with the nature of its topography and the accessibility of its land mass and people. The easier and the more the interaction of these communities the more understanding and hopefully the more respectful of each other they become. Thus, what you rightly said "while each should revere his/her own ethnicity, we should learn to accept others' as well." The least, it exists in our hearts.
Thanks for sharing. 
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
21 Jul 10
Right, our country has some 7,000++ islands, and I guess there are as many cultures and languages as there are islands. Even in the mainlands, the pluralism and diversity is apparent. There are laws intended to protect the minority groups, but, I guess it would be good to suggest to our lawmakers the passing of a bill for the celebration of unity among all the groups. Eventually, this sort of thing could be adopted in the entire world, because it cannot be denied that some of the wars of old was brought about by the differences in cultures of the various nations. Good day to you as well!
1 person likes this
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
19 Jul 10
Hi tomitomi,
Nice to learn that you are going to celebrate Racial Harmony Dayon July 21. This speaks a volume of the value of humanism out there. I can understand how difficult it is to come through a multilingual, multicultural, multiracial society.
But you people have lived out your lives like this in harmony and what else one needs? Unless there is communal harmony likelihood of misunderstanding and finally people resorting to blood shed is quite a normal activity.
This is why I guess Singapore stands as the least corrupt country in Asia. Bravo.
1 person likes this
@tomitomi (5429)
• Singapore
20 Jul 10
Hi krajibg!
I should think that there is no 100% homogeneous society all over the world. Somehow there is always a pluralism. The least are the different opinions and views, the different personalities of different communities within a larger society.
A day like Racial Harmony and Satvabana Divas or Good Will Day is where we should begin by reminding ourselves that although we may merely think differently we may be similar in many ways and we can certainly learn to embrace, to coexist with mutual respect and understanding. When we decide to bury the hatchet we can work hand in hand for the good of all.
Thanks for sharing.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
20 Jul 10
Hi,
you are correct, leaving some Nations most others are pluralist ones. In today's move it is hardly possible to live in a homogeneous country. even small villages are no longer homogeneous now. Thus there lies the knot of unity and unity can be achieved through programes like Racial Harmony Day and [b]Sat Vavana Divas
thank you my friend
1 person likes this
@chiyosan (30186)
• Philippines
17 Aug 10
Well that is a good one. I heard that many people are actually feeling very criticized in singapore... is it true that for workplaces, SG people are discriminating more than the US or UK?
I just heard this from some who has been to SG... Im glad there is this kind of celebration - it would enlighten a lot of people and to consider each one of us' differences.
@tomitomi (5429)
• Singapore
17 Aug 10
Hi chiyosan!
'Criticized' thats a very strong word. You need to live and work here for some time to be able to understand us better. Lots of Filipinos are doing big here in SG. They couldn't have done it if we had not open our arms. And thanks for your comments.
@o0jopak0o (6390)
• Philippines
19 Jul 10
well i dont know if we have that kind of holiday. But i think its a great idea.
1 person likes this
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
23 Jul 10
Hi tomitomi,
It was nice to be reminded of racial harmony. I remember my aunt telling me what happened at that period when there's racial clash, she had to run and hide among her own community. How far we have progressed since then.
Recently I became very good friends with an Indian lady, I told her I do not have close friends of other races and she is the only one. She was quite surprised because we have classmates of different races in school but we still go back to our respective ethnic groups and somehow did not develop close relationships.
I think it is very important to have peace and harmony, not only among different ethnic groups, but among people of different nationalities too. We have a connection with one another, as we are all human beings on this planet called earth.
1 person likes this
@tomitomi (5429)
• Singapore
23 Jul 10
You have raised a good point there bluemoonpavilion.
We normally find comfort and solutions to our problems within our own ethnic groups. And we seldom venture beyond. We seldom see the need to. And we lock the other ethnic groups out of our world apart from the fact that we still see them while commuting to work have them to work with. A day like Racial Harmony makes us aware that we are not alone.
I love to think that the more adaptable we are the easier it is for us to cope with life. I love the fact too that I've had friends from many ethnic backgrounds. And while our looks may be different we are the same in many many ways.
Thanks for sharing.
We normally find comfort and solutions to our problems within our own ethnic groups. And we seldom venture beyond. We seldom see the need to. And we lock the other ethnic groups out of our world apart from the fact that we still see them while commuting to work have them to work with. A day like Racial Harmony makes us aware that we are not alone.
I love to think that the more adaptable we are the easier it is for us to cope with life. I love the fact too that I've had friends from many ethnic backgrounds. And while our looks may be different we are the same in many many ways.
Thanks for sharing. 1 person likes this
@MrDollars (454)
• Australia
10 Aug 10
I think it is cool to learn about what other countries celebrate and join them if it was to come to it BUT I totally disagree and this is what is happening here in Australia, we have Muslims come into our country and try to stop our beliefs to suit their wants and needs which is not fair for no one bugs them into changing something they believe in, in their country.
Or like Christians try to stop schools singing Christmas songs. That is so stupid and unfair for all the children who want to celebrate Christmas but noooo people come here and try to change that. What I reckon is, if you come to live in a certain country, you must learn to deal with what we celebrate and believe in. For people do the same when they enter theirs.
$-MrDollars-$
@MrDollars (454)
• Australia
11 Aug 10
I can not remember what I meant though either haha Sorry I was so tired when answering questions but what you said is what I mean also!
$-MrDollars-$
@damned_dle (3942)
• Philippines
25 Jul 10
We don't have that in our country but it is a really good idea. But how come it is not Public Holiday? Anyway, I think it would be nice to have that as an International Holiday.
@tomitomi (5429)
• Singapore
25 Jul 10
Hi damned_dle!
As gloryacam has mentioned it would indeed be great "to suggest to our lawmakers the passing of a bill for the celebration of unity among all the groups. Eventually, this sort of thing could be adopted in the entire world."
As long as it is felt in your heart, I know it does, for eventual peace and harmony it's worth keeping such dream alive. Thanks for sharing.
