Living in an ethnically diverse society

Question: It is beneficial to live in an ethnically diverse society. Do you agree? SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: 1. What counts as an “ethnically diverse” society? What does it really mean? Let’s first define ethnicity: • Broadly speaking, ethnicity refers to a group of people bounded by shared culture, practices and values. It could therefore be describing groups of people categorized by race, citizenship, nationality, religion, language, ancestry and geographical origins. • Note that the focus here is less on ethnicity but rather what is the benefits of diversity • However, it is still important to clarify your definition of ethnicity in order to write your essay and structure your argument 2. Why is it important we consider the advantages of diversity? • Historically, in many different societies that have existed: diversity has always been present • Humans are naturally different from each other, and societies therefore will inevitably be filled with disparate and distinct groups of people with their own beliefs, culture and traditions • However, diversity as an issue has become increasingly prevalent in today’s context due to globalization • Globalization: a phenomenon whereby people, goods, capital, knowledge, ideas are becoming more fluid. They are moving extensively across different parts of the world, different nations and countries as international borders become more open and porous. • With the advancements in transport, people are become more mobile today. Migratory trends are increasing and more people move to different countries as travellers, settlers, workers, etc. • Globalization enables societies to become more diverse, vibrant and less uniform. The influx of immigrants from many different countries of origin will add on more varieties of cultures, traditions, language and knowledge to existing societies. • As such, this question is crucial because it is important for us to start thinking about what good can come about from living amongst people of all kinds. This can help to to prevent conflicts, misunderstandings, exclusions and discrimination between people in diversifying societies • Maybe we should also remind ourselves that a homogenous (which means entirely the same) society has never occurred, and is in fact a narrow-minded goal and outlook that signifies an immature intolerance for inevitable differences between people

3. Narrowing your argument to apply it to the context of Singapore: • Why is it so relevant to Singapore? - Singapore has always taken to the label of a “multi-cultural society”. Singaporeans take great pride in our ability to co-exist harmoniously despite our differences and we like to see ourselves as inclusive and welcoming. - Singapore is also renowned for her openness to the world economy and global population. Not only are we a popular tourist destination, Singapore is also celebrated as a wonderful city to work and live in. On top of our racially and religiously diverse community, Singaporeans live amidst newly immigrated citizens, foreign workers and curious travellers. - All the more, as Singaporeans, it is particularly relevant to analyse how our social environments has shaped and influence our attitudes and behaviours towards diversity - Are we accepting or are we merely tolerating the differences we observe and experience around us. - If we are able to think about and consider deeply the benefits of living in such diverse societies, we would be able to gain much more knowledge from the people around us: and build a more harmonious, if not, at least tolerant and understanding society 4. What are some conditions that have to be fulfilled in order for benefits to be reaped from ethnic diversity? 1. People from different backgrounds have to be willing to come together to interact, putting aside their differences and learning genuinely about each other’s cultures, traditions, language, etc. 2. Benefits from ethnic diversity can prevent racial, religious and civil conflicts, but it is most likely to happen in a stable social environment which proves conducive for people to interact with each other without the fear of being threatened, abuse or harmed. 3. Appropriate and constructive education for the young on ways to understand and navigate diversity. When children are inculcated with positive values about how they should approach and interact with those who are different from them, they mature into adults who do not resent or fear diversity, but is apt at socializing and forming bonds with those who do not share similar cultures or backgrounds as they do 4. Entrenched prejudices and discrimination against groups that are marked as unbelonging outsiders must be slowly dismantled, rectified and set aside in order to begin any form of interactions as equals 5. In the process of getting to know the other groups of people better, anti-discrimination laws should be present to enforce moral and fair behaviour/practices by individuals, corporations, larger social institutions, so that minority groups are fairly represented and treated in society If these conditions are not fulfilled, do you think that living in an ethnically diverse society will be beneficial? Beneficial for who and at whose expense (who will be disadvantaged?)

Yes, it is beneficial for us to live in an ethnically diverse society No, it is not beneficial for us to live in an ethnically diverse society (what are the dangers involved?) 1. Exposure to different cultures and traditions will help us grow as individuals – to become more knowledgeable, tolerant, understanding and accepting of diversity - We travel today to different parts of the world in order to gain precious exposure to various cultures that are unique and exotic - We want to explore the limits of how much we can experience different cultures, challenging ourselves to try out practices exclusive to the communities that we visit abroad - In that sense, what better way to know about different cultures but through the people who experience them as part of their daily lives? - Our interactions with them will serve as good exposure as we can always participate in their local festivals and traditions - This enhances our knowledge about different customs, cultures and practices that were previous unknown to us  helping us grow our understanding about how diverse people’s beliefs can be + learn new language to communicate more - Becoming more tolerant and even accepting and welcoming differences is a positive character trait that we will not object to having 2. Living in ethnically diverse society, assuming that the right conditions are met  can cultivate and nurture citizens who are able to unite despite differences, building a stronger country that are more immune to attacks attempts to divide the population - If the schools, if individual families, if legislatures, and major institutions are able to provide suitable environments for anti-discriminatory, non-prejudiced and equal forms of interactions to take place between people of all kinds - These interactions could likely produce strong social bonds between members of the same community and nations  allowing greater understanding and appreciation of varying cultures - When ethnically diverse society provides the platform to cultivate citizens into mature individuals who can understand the inevitability of differences between groups of people  the country is less divisible, especially with harmful threats like radicalization or fake news attempting to sow discord between the people (in today’s world) 1. Many societies remain collectively resistant and hostile towards the idea of diversification, including ethnic diversity - Rampant and severe discrimination still occurs in many societies towards minority and marginalized groups (like