Let’s Talk About “Casual Racism”
Racial Harmony Day 2025
Living in a multicultural society like Singapore requires us to be especially mindful and respectful in our interactions with others. Even a seemingly harmless or off-hand comment or joke about race, whether made casually among friends or in public, can cause significant harm and threaten the delicate fabric of unity that binds our diverse community together.
This year’s Racial Harmony Day assembly programme, held on 21 July 2025 and conducted by Defence Collective Singapore, brought this important message to the forefront.
The assembly programme highlighted Singapore’s commitment to being a multicultural and inclusive society by tackling current social issues and developments related to racial and religious harmony. During the facilitated session, students were encouraged to discuss these topics openly and to reflect on how their everyday words and actions can either strengthen or weaken the bonds of racial harmony.
One key focus was on scenarios where subtle forms of racism which are often normalised or overlooked among youths. These examples struck a chord with our student-athletes, helping them recognise that even small, insensitive remarks or unconscious biases can hurt others and disrupt social cohesion. The programme empowered them to become more aware and responsible, reinforcing the importance of creating a respectful environment where every individual feels valued, regardless of racial background.
Living in a multicultural society like Singapore requires us to be especially mindful and respectful in our interactions with others. Even a seemingly harmless or off-hand comment or joke about race, whether made casually among friends or in public, can cause significant harm and threaten the delicate fabric of unity that binds our diverse community together.
This year’s Racial Harmony Day assembly programme, held on 21 July 2025 and conducted by Defence Collective Singapore, brought this important message to the forefront.
The assembly programme highlighted Singapore’s commitment to being a multicultural and inclusive society by tackling current social issues and developments related to racial and religious harmony. During the facilitated session, students were encouraged to discuss these topics openly and to reflect on how their everyday words and actions can either strengthen or weaken the bonds of racial harmony.
One key focus was on scenarios where subtle forms of racism which are often normalised or overlooked among youths. These examples struck a chord with our student-athletes, helping them recognise that even small, insensitive remarks or unconscious biases can hurt others and disrupt social cohesion. The programme empowered them to become more aware and responsible, reinforcing the importance of creating a respectful environment where every individual feels valued, regardless of racial background.
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