What Can We Do About Our Implicit Racial Biases? | Regardless Of Race: 5 Years On - Part 2/2

Is ‘casual racism’ really as harmless as many think it is? With the help of a psychotherapist, Janil runs a social experiment that puts the majority-race participants at the receiving end of ‘casually racist’ remarks for 7 days. He is shocked by the results. After revealing the impact of our implicit racial biases, Dr. Janil Puthucheary, chairman of OnePeople.sg looks into solutions in the second part of this two part series.
While laws have been strengthened to deal with racist acts and workplace discrimination, a nationwide survey reveals that minorities are more likely to feel that these moves won’t reduce racial prejudices.
Janil explores an AI-backed program that promises to free hiring processes from human bias. He also l checks out a bold research study where children are made to scruntinise race at a young age.
WATCH MORE Regardless Of Race: 5 Years On
Part 1: • Finding Out That We Al...
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About the show: The string of racist incidents since the pandemic started has thrown Singapore’s racial harmony into doubt. By digging into the science behind racism, can Janil Puthucheary find new working solutions?
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#CNA #RegardlessOfRaceCNA #Singapore #Diversity
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[@annaxu6379]

These kids' answers just make me feel sad and tear out. it is just sad that the environment around them makes them feel not happy with their own skin.

[@lloyd4956]

Being African American seeing this really hit hard close to home. And this for years has been normalized. I used to tutor Malay, Chinese, and Indian students with English. And all of them expressed these same issues. All of them had trauma from it..

[@QuintessentialFlyer734]

The emotional test was good. It is a proven phenomenon called ethnostress. Negative emotional and phsyiological responses have a cumulative effect over people's lives. Glad that we are talking about these very real effects of racism in Singapore.

[@KJJackson71]

I would typically just roll my eyes when somebody starts up about 'unconscious bias', 'casual racism', etc, etc. But watching those poor kids was heartbreaking. I will take it seriously from now on. Thank-you.

[@Djuan949]

1. I had a chinese colleague comment in a meeting with the senior staff present not to be "sensitive" when I made a request to speak in english when discussing work matters, which required my involvement. No one spoke up. 2. A chinese manager in a European MNC once interviewed me. He smirked and said "Indians like to talk a lot right? Was out of context but also sensed from the start that he'd no intention to assess me as a candidate. Of course one might ask, why would he invite you down then? There in comes the play of "quota" to show that they have "fair practices". 3. Walked into a recruitment agency and a chinese famale staff, looked me up and down with disgust, like I didnt belong there or was intruding some exclusive premises and said "yes.....?" The list goes on... Discrimination will always be present in every part of the world. Acknowledgement that it exists is the first step to real change. What I cannot digest is people discriminating intentionally - think it is alright because they are "part of the majority". Or turning a blind eye to the issue and saying it is all based on merits? I call BS.

[@Shineon83]

We, in the West (the EU & US) are having our own biases against Chinese colleagues (and colleagues of Chinese origin). Especially in technical, scientific and business fields, there is a notable distrust of these colleagues-and a seemingly widespread acceptance of their potential dishonesty & willingness to steal from the organization, in order to pass such information on to China…….(It’s just that it has been so wide-spread-involving tens of thousands of Chinese-that “trust” is pretty low right now)….

[@Danderman888]

Biases do not reside solely in racial differences. Any differences that are potentially polarising in nature, and there are many, will promote biases. The only way of removing this potential is to neutralise the polarising differences either by removing those differences or learn to grow towards more homogenised acceptances, for example, when interracial marriages pass the tipping point, racial biases will gradually but surely also reach a turning point. But it will be a tough journey, when in reality, the colour of one’s skin is not the only factor to overcome… there is also the polarising effects of religious beliefs which are more often than not, tied to their respective races.

[@kyledelrosario2081]

well said..it's really is about "differences"..

[@regunathanparasuraman8172]

Awesome video...especially on the studies done and the outcome (percentage) ;) Hopefully this kind of studies are done in malaysia to reflect on the actual situation.

[@pavsofficial4284]

CNA was just looking at how Covid19 virus affected asians in Europe. Its the same tbh, any country that has a majority will dominate and discriminate. Maybe future integration of people will be the solution

[@xcre8ionx]

Always wanna be better as a country, Proud to be Singaporean 🇸🇬

[@sheldon7374]

Love it. More people needs to watch this.

[@jenmar9428]

I had no idea that there is racism in Singapore. 😩 I live in Europe and I love working at international companies just because there is always a mix of different races and culture.

[@Bu5es]

Put into Singapore's Context, Lee kuan yew was a notable racist leader. He sidelined the malays and indians and sang high praises to the chinese. Even so, he accepted malays and indians into his parlimentary settings. If so, is he really a racist? Discrimination and biases is only seen as a issue when someone who shows racism is blatantly doing it, Lee kuan yew did it subtly and only into his later years did his racist remarks/talks of by-gone years came into the spotlight.

[@yut576]

LKY's attitude towards minorities esp towards Malay had a devastating impact on their economy and still reverberate till today. Only people who at the receiving end will only know.

[@beezlebub9]

Yep, he was racist. No two ways about it.

[@terryandrews3186]

Neither. He just used race. Lol. The real division is elites vs peasants

[@MysteryPunisher]

He wrote a book about it.

[@MysteryPunisher]

In the 50s and 60s he when into Malay areas in singapore wearing songkok asking for their support in malay language.

[@valley-girl]

Man...I just cried because of the kid. Especially the darkest girl. WTF! Wtf is wrong with these people?? They created this society for these kids.

[@ChirpyChat]

Let's look at each other as members of the human race, whether we are looking at individual weaknesses or strengths.

[@lloyd4956]

Beautiful video documentary ❤. I'm rooting for you Singapore 🇸🇬

[@angelineesther6227]

When I saw the kids, I cried! Those little ones are victims of racism!

[@rockycomet4587]

🤣🤣🤣 🤡

[@ikiga4385]

“Regardless of race,language or religion.” Good attempt on race, Singapore is a very unique and diverse country and should remain so. if Dr Janil did a docuseries on “Regardless of language” it would be hilarious. But if he did this on religion, it could expose time bombs. Singapore will never have a docuseries on “Regardless of Religion” because it will expose a very sensitive , bigoted, racist and ugly side of mankind. Singapore may never be ready for such a docuseries on religion, or the lack of.

[@Fledermausmann]

Honestly, I would agree. Language more so than race, we can talk about it and reason with each other and laugh a little, have a bit of fun but religion will immediately get people to react emotionally and frankly, it'll be disasterous.

[@redchan2571]

While I think religion in Singapore may be a bit of a time bomb, if I am not wrong CNA is producing some documentaries on religious extremism in other countries titled "in bad faith"

[@2008amiame]

Well done. I hope they do sth similar to this in Malaysia as well. I am outlier in that I believe in the value of the human race, not any single race, Malay, Chinese, Indian, Dayak, or whatever. To do so, I have forced myself to detach the sort of obsession with my race’s food, celebration, religious affiliation, etc. All these things, in my current value, is what contributes to separation, not unity. We live in a time where we are conditioned to embrace racial culture. Moving into the future, we should consider dialing down this aspect of humanity. I dream of a world with no borders, physical or figurative.

[@uwaisal-qarni8364]

Melayu layu🤣

[@faz8027]

I hope to be a diversity ambassador . Wish it was a proper job

[@simonsimon2888]

Just like sitting for the Senior Cambridge, everyone is given AN INDEX NUMBER for taking the examination.

[@graphicpip5174]

Good video. But it needs to go further. Any majority in any country will dominate conversations around everything - and thus hold on power. The reason most people accept a Chinese boss is because there is more examples of Chinese bosses in Singapore. They do not know what it's like to have a minority boss. But the program neglected to ask if they will accept a Caucasian boss. Despite their low numbers, the post-colonial mindset here will probably see quite a high number of people accepting a Caucasian boss. Similarly, half a century ago, you could have asked if people will accept a female vs male boss and many will not want a female boss. But now we see more women in power or positions of authority in work --we do not think it's so unusual these days. Getting more minorities in higher positions is key, so that common people will increase their acceptance. I can say from experience most racist people at work are not the leaders (few would have risen that high) or hiring managers (who has been trained by HR), but actually the fellow colleagues with racial superiority complex or people who do not accept our diverse Singapore culture.

[@tanchye1720]

In media, I see young typical male Malay faces only in football interviews. Programs like this often shows Lady, Elderly and Child Malays. Young male Malay faces shown usually looks Peranakan (Chinese look). Is this true integration?

[@2008amiame]

What about judging people by their beauty? That’s some sort of discrimination too, I think. How can we sort that out? Get rid of porn? Get more and more normal, not attractive people into movies? No more beautiful models in adverts? Shift the focus from the face, to intellectual prowess, or physical strength?

[@eugeneyap3615]

The doll test on the 3 kids really made me sad. I am of the majority race anw.

[@Net12333]

Good

[@ysngngys7753]

Just like being sexist of always discriminating female drivers, there are certain anecdotes that are here to stay. Probably review how the education system shapes ppl mindset to draw finer lines thus become more sensitive, and how can we change so?...Though its a sad truth, ABNN is here to stay...

[@audreychoong7323]

Maybe remove “race” in the NRIC altogether. Just put Singaporean (nationality) . This means we are recognised by our nationality and not race, if race is such a concerned. Frankly, compared to western countries, Singapore is quite good for people of different ethnicities and cultures. Yes, there are the occasional racial jokes … but as long as it is not too insulting or in bad taste, it should be acceptable. After all jokes are made using simple things that took place in different culture, behaviours, expectations and stereotypes. As to the experiment done using the 3 dolls, if you put in a lighter colour than beige, that is representing westerners, I am sure all the children will choose the lightest colour doll. Discrimination or biases will always be around. If you are talking about racial discrimination at work, what about gender discrimination? Age discrimination? There is no perfect world or society.

[@terryandrews3186]

Especially we have a war with China. How can we have Chinese listed. It would be confusing

[@alpharedmeat]

I think it is a perception issue, we would assume a cat is more docile than a dog which might bark at us, but the cat rarely expresses aggression. When public observes a person such as the one who wielded a sword at Buangkok, the information they remember is his race. And to add on to deriving stereotypes, is when one observes the “less-Singaporean “ behaviour we observe publicly eg foreign labours at Lucky Plaza, Paya Lebar, Little India, Coleman st, Chinatown, Peoples Park, etc. Notice we don’t feel the same negativity when we are in crowded Raffles Place?

[@beezlebub9]

Tbh, I didn’t notice his ethnicity.

[@valley-girl]

Are you chinese bruh? Because that explains your denial.

[@admiraljamster]

20:20 HAHAHA YIXI GOT CALLED OUT.

[@foowayne2947]

Malaysian civil servant to population ratio - 1 to 19.37 / AND more than 90% of them are the Malays. AND the highest civil servant ratio in the whole wide world. OMG, laugh die me leh! Singapore civil servant to population ratio - 1 to 71.4 Indonesia civil servant to population ratio - 1 to 114 Conclusion: IF...there is a signboard fell fr a shop house, the probability rate of hitting on a civil servant would be as high as 80%.

[@kawaiipink6958]

Actually I totally agree But I disagree in what person in the video meantioned that ee would why must u even meantioned the race and what has that particular race done to u

[@kenwdesouza]

Always amazing... Keep talking about Race in Singapore but always forget about the Eurasians.... what a joke program

[@transformer1865]

Correct me if I'm wrong but is it your experience that Eurasians are subject to the same discriminatory treatment as Indians/Malays are? Because I've literally not heard one Eurasian talk about their racial grievances in Singapore.

[@Shineon83]

….It is odd comparing biases based on the culture you are living in. I have worked on two such surveys for PEW Research……European/American biases have certainly become sharper regarding the Chinese (MAINLAND Chinese, it must be stressed, although there is some cultural crossover) - due to both closer scrutiny of China & the current Chinese leadership. Some “Positive” stereotypes of the Chinese include): Excel in STEM professions…Polite & hardworking…Loyalty to family……And (NEGATIVE): Dishonesty (due to widespread tech theft) …Cruelty to animals & widespread disgust toward choice of food items (Wet Markets, consumption of animals & animal parts repugnant to Westerners)….Over-conformity & lack of individualism….Frugality-verging on stinginess. And, Asians, likewise, have similar stereotypes of Westerners….

[@kgyeo1402]

Biases are natural. It can only be reduced but not eradicated. It is present also among people of the same race and church - university graduates versus non graduates, Mandarin speakers against English speakers, cliques, etc.

[@aaroniemcwonley]

43:00 What a waste of transparencies. Use PowerPoint lah.

[@thegamer9575]

Ask God to come down and solve this issue because he is the creator.

[@omaronnyoutube]

Are there lots of discussions of "political correctness" in Singapore like in America?

[@AdwinLauYuTan]

Hah. The religion documentary was good as well, because the entire 'filial piety and honesty and integrity are Chinese values' really brings up some other assumptions. And that documentary didn't even identify the three main Chinese religions as separate. They're Confucian values, not Chinese values. I remember all too well other Chinese people telling me what that man said, and it is really another microaggression, so to speak. I can't just say: 'oh, I don't follow those Confucian values as a Buddhist', because it brings up a whole tin of maggots.

[@OpheliaPG]

As a Filipina-American I found this series extremely fascinating. Having grown up in the US I knew of the explicit prejudices and racism of whites against non-white citizens. It’s a shock to see it in Singapore and other non-Western countries. Is the idea of “Racial supremacy” over others part of human nature or is it a matter of classist stratification? Either way, as a species, we MUST evolve past our own biases or we won’t have a world worth saving. #OneLove

[@lastChang]

You are a Chinese, why do you pretend to be a Filipina-American?

[@vicnad92]

I would say its not a classist stratification. Non-Chinese Singaporean of higher SES do still suffer from racism. Whats ironic is Singaporean Chinese will go to Australia or USA and whine about being treated negatively for their race when they do the same thing to Indians, Malays, Filipinos, in Singapore. Though, whites still do have ''higher status'' notoriously in Asian countries who only view them positively due to Hollywood influence, an African or Middle Eastern will have a complete difference response in Asia.

[@OpheliaPG]

@@vicnad92 Indeed, the irony! We should all keep in mind that every human being bleeds🩸 red and bones 🦴 white; our biases, prejudices and perceived “superiority” over others only lead to disharmony, war and death. We need to evolve past these barbaric and ignorant thinking if we want our species and our planet to survive.

[@darlynnavales1]

racism of whites against non-white citizens? Asians are the most successful group in the USA. Over achievers. Whites are not discriminating against you.

[@beezlebub9]

@@vicnad92 agree.

[@anziar3038]

Individual merits triumph over race.

[@QuintessentialFlyer734]

Totally agree! Think of all the qualified and hardworking Malays and Indians not hired due to racist employers!

[@MysteryPunisher]

They prefer mandarin speaking.

[@urbn9t]

Maybe time to give more work to this MP. Seems he's very free, always making his own programmes.

[@terryandrews3186]

What about discrimination of the unvaccinated?

[@user-wwwai]

They deserved to be discriminated since they are so selfish.

[@ksneoh3572]

This program is utter rubbish. It is artificially curated to give the results that it wanted to see -- that is all. So, the bad people, the racists are all the Chinese majority. That is classical playbook of Victimhood. Mr Puthu needs to realise that the Indians and Malays have never had it so good in this country or elsewhere in the world, where they are more privileged over and above the Chinese majority -- mainly for political reasons. Instead of dousing any lingering embers of racism, this whole show greatly threatens to add fuel to the embers. It is going to flare up into an unstoppable fire. If the minister is really sincere about racism, then I would suggest that he makes investigation why there are an overwhelming majority of Indians in the banking and IT sectors, hugely disproportionate to their percentages in the overall population.

[@vicnad92]

''overwhelming majority of Indians in the banking and IT sectors"???? Did you pull that statistics out of your ass? Also, do not confuse Singaporean Indians from India Indians. Thats like me lumping Chinese Singaporean with Mainland Chinese. If thats the case then ask yourself why construction overwhelmingly Bengalis and South Indians? Your response is typical from a Chinese Singaporean, but yall will go to USA or Australia and whine about racism there.

[@transformer1865]

You start off by saying the minorities are playing the race card and victimising themselves and then go on to reveal your xenophobia/racism by questioning the number of Indians in the banking and IT sectors. The number of Indians in the legal profession / Parliament, I believe, is also not proportionate to their % in the population. What's your point? If you're suggesting there's implicit bias in hiring Indians for IT/banking roles, then how different is your point from Indians/Malays being aggrieved at being subject to such implicit bias in almost every other profession in existence? I don't actually think you watched the documentary because it has shown many examples of how casual racism/microaggressions/racial preferences disproportionately affect the minorities here. And it starts at a very early age. Of course, no country has it perfect and it's utterly pointless to compare the performance of Indians/Malays against the Chinese in other countries when the mix is obviously not the same. Which other country do you know has a majority ethnic Chinese population with a significant Indian/Malay mix? There's none. Just because no country is perfect does not mean we can't strive to be better. What political reasons are you talking about exactly? Are you implicitly suggesting that race and policies have become intertwined? In which case, you're literally supporting the point being made in the documentary about race discrimination.

[@Fals3Agent]

shut up la

[@beezlebub9]

KS Neoh, it is you who is flaming racism. How did you not question why the Chinese were disproportionately present in banking and finance in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s. Does racism only upset you when it impacts on you? It is precisely of people who think like you that these issues need to be talked about.

[@terryandrews3186]

Maybe we are better at it