Last Friday, schools in Singapore commemorated Racial Harmony Day to mark the anniversary of the 1964 racial riots. This is a wonderful platform to promote inter-racial understanding and celebrate Singapore as a harmonious society built on a rich diversity of culture and heritage. However, I think schools and for that matter, the rest of us can do better than just encouraging people to don traditional costumes such as the Cheongsam or Punjabi suit as part of the celebration.
For most Singaporean Chinese these days, I doubt that the Cheongsam is a meaningful marker of our ethnicity. Furthermore, the generic classification of race is an inadequate way of understanding one’s identity especially when you consider those from a mixed parentage. Indeed, what does it really mean to be Chinese, Malay or Indian and must it be associated with a particular religion? For that matter, why should the rest of the population be conveniently lumped under the category of Others?
As we continue in our Missions month, let us remember that “From one man, God made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth…” (Acts 17:26). In other words, we all share a common lineage from Adam, despite the colour of our skin or pupil. We are all made in the image of God and it is terrible when Christians buy into the lie that a certain ethnic group is far more superior or when we ourselves are guilty of perpetuating racial stereotypes. More often than not, the generalisations tend to hurt people and only serve to puff up the pride of others.
In addition, generalisations are unreliable guides for how we should relate with one another, even if the generalisations are statistically true. In some cases, they have proven to be fatal as seen in the recent tragedy that occurred in Florida. A 17-year old African-American male, Trayvon Martin was shot to death on his way home from to a convenience store after getting some snacks. The shooter, a White male, George Zimmerman was unduly suspicious of Trayvon and had hastily assumed that Trayvon was a burglar, with criminal intent towards him.
Admittedly, it is easy for our minds to be clouded with stereotypes. There are occasions when we want a particular person to fit a negative generalisation of an ethnic group, especially when we have had an unpleasant encounter with this individual. Sometimes, we may also speak unkindly of an entire ethnic group on the basis of such generalisation without any consideration for those in the group who do not fit the generalisation.
But as Christians who are called to obey the Great Commission, we need to ask the Lord to help us to grow in our love for others, especially those of a different ethnic background. Since “love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Cor 13:7), it means that we must guard against assuming the worst of others and acting hastily in judgment. In the Bible, we recall how the prophet Jonah was initially reluctant to go to Nineveh because of his personal bias. Although Jonah knew God would have mercy on the enemies of Israel, he did not want their repentance. Instead, he was sulking before God and God had to patiently teach Jonah that no racial or national barriers can disqualify a person from God’s love.
If we believe in the Gospel message of “God reconciling the world to himself in Christ” (2 Cor 5:19), then our interaction with others should demonstrate the practical outworking of this glorious truth. As much as Singapore’s demographic is changing, we can strive to be neighbours and colleagues who are known for our hospitality and compassion rather than our prejudices and xenophobic anxieties. For example, in this season of Ramadan, can we be more understanding towards our Muslim colleagues and offer a hand to lighten their workload? Or when Christmas draws near, can we consider opening up our homes for a simple, Gospel-centred celebration with our new neighbours from China or India?
Finally, we can also commit ourselves in prayer for those who have yet to hear the Gospel. When we humbly intercede for others, one ethnic group at a time, the Holy Spirit will mould us to become more tolerant and gracious towards those who are ethnically different. After all, our love cannot possibly remain skin deep when we are praying in accordance to God’s will (1 Tim 2:1-4).
