In a 2021 dialogue that delved into the subject of multiculturalism, Tay Ping Hui revealed that he grew up in a Mandarin-speaking dwelling, attended a Particular Help Plan (SAP) faculty that taught him Chinese language literature and had greater than 90 p.c of his buddies being Chinese language up until the years of nationwide service.
“I used to be very comfy, with everybody round me Chinese language. I believed I in all probability didn’t have to know in regards to the different races. It doesn’t imply that I had Chinese language privilege, however I need to acknowledge I had a majority blind spot. ”
That remark later drew consideration on-line as many questioned the distinction between the 2 phrases “Chinese language privilege” and “majority blind spot”.
Tay Ping Hui went on to make clear his stance, stating that he certainly had Chinese language privilege. “It was solely once I went to (junior) faculty, military, then college, (that I gained) the chance to fulfill and work together with buddies from different races, international locations… folks with completely different beliefs. It was throughout that point that I got here to a realisation that there have been so many issues that I didn’t know.”
“There’s a time period that can be used these days, which is known as ‘majority blind spot’, or form of a racial blind spot. I had that blind spot too, till a time once I needed to journey after my commencement from college. I used to be in Australia and the USA, the place I skilled some fairly intense racial discrimination. I used to be referred to with derogatory racist names and it made me realise much more the way it was like once I was now not the bulk.”
“I imagine that there could be many inside the Chinese language group who nonetheless don’t see a necessity to grasp the historical past, traditions and views of different races and cultures. They may assume that it’s not necessary, however it’s. As a result of solely once we open our minds to actively search to grasp others’ views, will we be capable of have constructive discussions. Be it Chinese language, Malay, Indian or others, it is a vital step that we must always take to grasp that the issues we’ve come to imagine, what we predict, will not be all the time the given fact. It’s my hope as we speak that that is what the Chinese language group can do for our society.”
Supply: Her World
