COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Issue 4: Race relations
B) Casual Racism
Some participants shared experiences of racial discrimination during National
Service. One participant was given instructions in Mandarin and expected to
carry out his orders. Other instances included Chinese bunk mates playing
Chinese music loudly with no regard for others. Racism in National Service
has been a basis for discussion in local plays such as 2010’s “Charged”, which
drew attention to interracial prejudices in army camps.
While racism in
National Service has
been recognised, no
information is readily
available on the efforts
taken to address racism.
Source: Tan, C. (2016, January 19). Playwright Chong Tze Chien's Charged faces racism head-on.
Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/playwright-chong-tze-chiens-charged-faces-
racism-head-on
Maathi Yosi | 2019
23