Racism & Bullying
Imagine what it is like to live in fear of being attacked or having to fight for your right to exist just because of the colour of your skin? This fear isn’t just aimed at you, it affects everyone in your immediate circle - your parents, your primary caregivers and protectors - their lives too, are constantly threatened as a result of racism and bullying.
No one, not to mention any child, should ever have to experience this but it’s happening everywhere in the world and these two real-life stories shed light on what it is to grow up in such an environment.
“We must not be divided by cultural differences but be united as humanity in diversity.”
The hope is that as diversity and social justice issues gain traction, our awareness and education about the issues will evolve and together with better law enforcement, we can finally dismantle systematic social and racial bias.
Though Singapore has had its fair share of racial tensions in the ’60s and ’70s, where many lives were lost during the race riots between the Indians, Malays and Chinese. Thanks to effective law enforcement, the dismantling of ethnic villages, strategising for different races to live together, introducing cultural differences in textbooks and uniting us via a common language, Singapore has struck a delicate balance. While more can still be done for racial equality, it could also be a lot worse.
Case 1: Racism and Bullying in the UK
This short article about racism and bullying in the UK is written by my friend Dee. From the age of 3 to 13, Dee, a British Indian has had to fend for herself and witness continued social discrimination inflicted upon her family.
RACISM, BULLYING AND THE BIRTH OF GRIT
Case 2: Audio Interview of Chris Wilson in the USA
Sentenced to life for murder at the age of 17, Chris Wilson turned his life around while incarcerated and was released after 16 years of being in prison. The author of ”The Master Plan: My Journey from Life in Prison to a Life of Purpose”, his story details what it’s like to grow up as a black person in the US and witnessing his own mother raped, and receiving no help from the authorities afterwards. For Chris, carrying a gun was the only way he knew how to protect himself, and his family from harm. This heartbreaking, inspiring audio interview illustrates how Chris went against all odds, set sights on his goals and turned his life around, determined to make a positive impact on society.
