Sunday, April 29, 2007 Term 2 Week 6 Assignment
Qns: Prejudice is a disease we can never get rid of. Discuss.
Prejudice is an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowledge. It is usually due to biasness against someone or a group of people. Disease is a problem that cannot be resolved and never get rid of means can never be removed and is always there.
I concur that prejudice is a problem that cannot be eradicated. Prejudice can exist in a few forms. They are racial, religion and gender prejudices. Examples are “I do not like a particular race because…” (No offence) and “Men are better than women in every ways”. These are not only unfair and also not morally right to that particular race group and to all the women, in the above illustrations. They can be seen as being racist or over generalizing and stereotyping- a fixed idea that people have about what someone or something is like, especially an idea that is wrong.
In the past, before Singapore gained her independence, there are cases of racial riots. An example is the communal riot between the Chinese and Malays in the 1960s. It causes social unrest, economic instability and strained their relationships. It also put the country to a standstill. However, in this 21st century, we have never witness any racial riot. This is the success of the government’s effort to promote racial harmony through the implementation of the Housing and Development Board (HDB) ratio quota. This set the number of different racial families living on each level of the block. This gives the different racial groups more opportunities to interact with one another and to create a better understanding of their cultures and beliefs, thus reducing any conflicts and misunderstandings. It also helps break down the racial barriers between them and hopefully able to foster strong bonds.
Although racial prejudice is greatly reduced, we cannot say that it has been solved totally. In other countries, racial prejudice is still very prevalent. Example in the United State, the Blacks is being discriminated by the Whites and most people perceive that crimes are generally committed by the Blacks. An example of religion prejudice is the Muslims against the Christians.
In the older generations like in the 1960s, men are seen as the best, the only people with the power, while women were inferior to them. Both genders do not obtain the same treatments and opportunities. In the past, only males get to study and to be educated. Females’ onuses are to stay at homes to do chores and to take care of their children. They are not allowed to go against their husband wishes or decisions and their opinions would not be heard. However, in the modern society, everyone has equal rights, no matter which race, religion or gender they are from. Everyone has the same opportunities. Females are not only confined to their homes. A large population of women has entered the workforce, once deemed as the men world and some are very successful in their careers. In Singapore, women also hold high job positions. Examples are minister positions in the political system. Hence, the statement “Males are superior to females” no longer stand in this democratic Singapore.
However, Singapore is only a tiny red dot on the world map. There are still other countries practicing gender inequality. Examples are China and Japan. Thus, gender prejudice still exists and will continue to exist. It is a mindset anchored into people minds since long ago and it is hard to change a mindset. You can try asking your grandparents to get the answer.
In conclusion, I agree that prejudice is a disease we can never get rid of. However, I believe that with everyone’s effort and co-operation, its effects can be greatly reduced, but can never be eradicated.
Prejudice is an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowledge. It is usually due to biasness against someone or a group of people. Disease is a problem that cannot be resolved and never get rid of means can never be removed and is always there.
I concur that prejudice is a problem that cannot be eradicated. Prejudice can exist in a few forms. They are racial, religion and gender prejudices. Examples are “I do not like a particular race because…” (No offence) and “Men are better than women in every ways”. These are not only unfair and also not morally right to that particular race group and to all the women, in the above illustrations. They can be seen as being racist or over generalizing and stereotyping- a fixed idea that people have about what someone or something is like, especially an idea that is wrong.
In the past, before Singapore gained her independence, there are cases of racial riots. An example is the communal riot between the Chinese and Malays in the 1960s. It causes social unrest, economic instability and strained their relationships. It also put the country to a standstill. However, in this 21st century, we have never witness any racial riot. This is the success of the government’s effort to promote racial harmony through the implementation of the Housing and Development Board (HDB) ratio quota. This set the number of different racial families living on each level of the block. This gives the different racial groups more opportunities to interact with one another and to create a better understanding of their cultures and beliefs, thus reducing any conflicts and misunderstandings. It also helps break down the racial barriers between them and hopefully able to foster strong bonds.
Although racial prejudice is greatly reduced, we cannot say that it has been solved totally. In other countries, racial prejudice is still very prevalent. Example in the United State, the Blacks is being discriminated by the Whites and most people perceive that crimes are generally committed by the Blacks. An example of religion prejudice is the Muslims against the Christians.
In the older generations like in the 1960s, men are seen as the best, the only people with the power, while women were inferior to them. Both genders do not obtain the same treatments and opportunities. In the past, only males get to study and to be educated. Females’ onuses are to stay at homes to do chores and to take care of their children. They are not allowed to go against their husband wishes or decisions and their opinions would not be heard. However, in the modern society, everyone has equal rights, no matter which race, religion or gender they are from. Everyone has the same opportunities. Females are not only confined to their homes. A large population of women has entered the workforce, once deemed as the men world and some are very successful in their careers. In Singapore, women also hold high job positions. Examples are minister positions in the political system. Hence, the statement “Males are superior to females” no longer stand in this democratic Singapore.
However, Singapore is only a tiny red dot on the world map. There are still other countries practicing gender inequality. Examples are China and Japan. Thus, gender prejudice still exists and will continue to exist. It is a mindset anchored into people minds since long ago and it is hard to change a mindset. You can try asking your grandparents to get the answer.
In conclusion, I agree that prejudice is a disease we can never get rid of. However, I believe that with everyone’s effort and co-operation, its effects can be greatly reduced, but can never be eradicated.
written at 4/29/2007 11:21:00 PM
