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Ramasamy: Too much generalisation, personal experience in Teo Kok Seong’s claim of Chinese being racists
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Publish date: Thu, 21 Mar 2024, 01:15 PM
RECENTLY, former Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) professor of ethnic studies and member of council of professors Prof Datuk Teo Kok Seong was interviewed by the HarakahDaily about the Chinese community in the country.
Teo’s recent view on the Chinese vernacular schools was something controversial. I don’t agree with his view that Chinese vernacular schools are breeding grounds for racism leading to disunity in the country.
There are others who hold similar views of vernacular schools in the country. Some even went to the extent of challenging the constitutionality of the vernacular schools. They lost the case in the court.
There were calls for police action against Teo but I thought this was not necessary as we need to intellectually engage with him.
All of sudden, Teo has dropped another bombshell by claiming that the Chinese are racists stemming from the socialisation process.
Personal experience
Teo said the Chinese have the tendency to look down upon other races even against the much socialised and acclimatised Peranakan Chinese community who share a lot of similarity with the Malays.
Teo might have personally experienced racism from the Chinese. But as a former academic who is well-versed in theories of race relations, he should be careful in generalising about Chinese being by racists.
Like other ethnic communities in the country, there are racists and non-racists among the Chinese. The same thing can be said of Malays and Indians in the country.
Racism is not a particular trait common only to the Chinese community. It is perfectly acceptable for the Chinese, Malays and Indians to be proud of their civilisation, history, culture and others.
Pride in their culture and tradition doesn’t automatically make these races as racists and antagonistic towards others. I really don’t understand why a former academic can go the extent of labelling the Chinese as racists.
Racism is not the unique characteristic of the Chinese. There are racist elements among the Chinese, Malays, Indians and even among the Kelantan Peranakan Community.
It is not that racism is the sole preserve of the Chinese alone. I am sure as a former academic, Teo should have been exposed to the theories of race relations.
Given this, I really wonder how he could jump to the conclusion that Chinese are racists. If racism arises out of socialisation, then it cannot be said that the Chinese are by definition racists.
Institutional racism
There are so many factors that give rise to racism among different races throughout the world. While Teo focused on the Chinese, he conveniently forgot to mention about institutional racism in the country.
Perhaps he should have explored the notion of institutional racism and how it manifests in the country. If Chinese and Indians are passionate about preserving their vernacular schools, it might not be racism per se but a reaction to their discrimination in the country.
It is the presence of this nefarious institutional racism that the preservation of vernacular schools assumes a reactive phenomenon. Throughout the interview, Teo throws the word “socialisation” to demonstrate racism among the Chinese.
However, unwittingly Teo weakens his racist argument by saying that the Chinese become racists through the process of socialisation. In other words, Chinese are not born racists but become racists as a result of their upbringing and interaction with others.
The question is are all Chinese racists because of their proud history and civilisation? Can we say the same thing about Malays and Indians in the country?
If only Teo had differentiated the various kinds of reactions to the phenomenon of institutional racism in the country. There is a difference between institutional racism or otherwise and related reactionary forms.
In my view as a former academician and once a colleague of Teo in UKM, his thesis about Chinese being racists is based on an unsound empirical verification.
It resembles a gut feeling on the part of Teo due to his particular personal experience and not to forget to become popular among the racists and bigots. Shame on you Teo! - March 21, 2024
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the Urimai (United Rights of Malaysian Party) Interim Council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
https://focusmalaysia.my/ramasamy-too-much-generalisation-personal-experience-in-teo-kok-seongs-claim-of-chinese-being-racists/
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Discussions
Be the first to like this. Showing 14 of 14 comments
go to sendai (5205) forum and read the comments there over the last week for more examples.
1 month ago
I have been to this country, their people are not as racist as European countries, however their leaders and people are very territorial, it seems that the surrounding countries do not like them. Unrelated but this is a game I like https://suikagame2.io please stop by and try it out
1 month ago
While no society is entirely free from racism or prejudice, these factors contribute to the argument that Chinese people, as a whole, tend to exhibit the least racism compared to many other societies:
1. **Education and Awareness:** Chinese education emphasizes the value of harmony, cooperation, and understanding among different ethnic groups. Schools promote cultural awareness and teach students about the importance of respecting diversity.
2. **Social Cohesion:** Chinese society places a strong emphasis on social harmony and unity. This collective mindset discourages divisive attitudes based on race or ethnicity, promoting a more inclusive and harmonious environment.
3. **Historical Perspective:** Chinese culture has a long history of tolerance and inclusivity. Throughout history, China has absorbed various ethnic groups and cultural influences, fostering a more inclusive worldview.
1 month ago
Chinese just want to build a better life in this lifetime for himself, his family, his communities, his rightminded comrades and this country he call home.
1 month ago
Unfortunately, in the context of cheap politicking, human errors are often exaggerated, leading to a vicious cycle of inflamed emotions within an intolerant and unforgiving community. This environment blurs the distinction between truth and manipulation, creating a dangerous dance of rhetoric, slander and deceit. As individuals or groups seek to advance their agendas, they resort to twisting facts, distorting reality, and exploiting vulnerabilities in public perception. This manipulative behavior has further polarized society, eroded trust in institutions, and undermined the pursuit of constructive dialogue and genuine understanding.
Posted by Sslee > 3 minutes ago | Report Abuse
Chinese just want to build a better life in this lifetime for himself, his family, his communities, his rightminded comrades and this country he call home.
1 month ago
Protection of young children who tend to slip tongue when criticising beliefs (vernacular schools as sanctuary - safer place to make mistakes)
**Protection of Safety and Security:** In highly sensitive environments where tensions run high, segregating or avoiding certain interactions can be a way to protect individuals and communities from potential harm or conflict. It can prevent volatile situations from escalating.
1 month ago
Peaceful neighbourhood
**Preservation of Peace:** Segregation and avoidance can contribute to maintaining peace and stability within a community by minimizing contentious interactions that could lead to misunderstandings or confrontations.
1 month ago
All done for a noble reason
**Respect for Boundaries:** Respecting the boundaries and preferences of individuals and communities is crucial for fostering trust and avoiding unnecessary friction. Segregation and avoidance can be seen as a form of respecting these boundaries.
1 month ago
Suntze's art of war: To retreat by segregation is to advance harmonious agenda
**Focus on Positive Interactions:** Segregation and avoidance can redirect focus towards positive interactions and collaborations within the community, fostering a more harmonious environment where mutual respect and understanding can flourish.
1 month ago
Minimize unintentional friction and unnecessary confrontation: one man's medicine can be another man's poison
**Minimization of Provocation:** By avoiding situations that are known to provoke negative reactions or slander, individuals can protect themselves and others from unwarranted attacks or misunderstandings.
1 month ago
Without race, religion, vernacular school, UMNO is bankrupt of idea to survive in politics.
They have employed this tactic since 1980s. Najib too stirred some commotion until around 100 arrested under ISA.
1 month ago
"bankrupt of idea" will be reflected by weakening of currency, increasing country debt and deteriorating human quality
1 month ago
Little does that shallow-minded paper mill Cock Seong know, integration isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. In certain scenarios, segregation and avoidance can serve as proactive shields against slander and provocation in hypersensitive communities. It's not about exclusion but about protecting oneself amidst societal turbulence.
1 month ago
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but it is true. this is anecdotal case: project manager at pilot group (construction) openly announces to everyone on the site he is a racist. also lie to prospective employees about wages and retain passport of foreign workers - then slash wages.
1 month ago