'Race' against Time

I have another important question to ask you this week.

How many of you Chinese students have a good friend who is a Malay or Indian?
And how many of you Indian and Malay students have a good friend who is Chinese?

Do you know the different cultures of your friends? When is their New Year? What traditions do they carry out?

Do you know the reasons why we have a special day set aside called the Racial Harmony Day? Why is it important for us to celebrate our differences and live together peacefully?

Let's go back in time to see how race can become a big, no HUGE problem which can tear a country apart if not dealt with properly.


The Holocaust

How many of you were aware that the Holocaust was supposed to wipe out an entire race? Approximately 6 millions Jews were killed mercilessly by Adolf Hitler, the most notorious personality in History. It was one of the most horrific events in the History of the 21st century and even the children were not spared. (1.5 million were killed).

Even though the Jews in Germany considered themselves Germans and fought in the war, they were considered the 'opposite race' and had to be eradicated. Most of them were sent to death camps and ghettos where they were killed systematically in gas chambers.

Watch also this video titled "Children of the Holocaust'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZlGCs78KEI

Now I want to bring you back to somewhere nearer to home.

Malaysia, Nov 2007

'Minority ethnic Indians are fighting a "losing battle" for equal rights in Malaysia, and their fledgling protest movement against the Muslim-dominated government is likely to die soon, a protest leader told The Associated Press.

"We have to close the chapter. There may be a new chapter, but we may not be part of the next chapter," a tired-looking Moorthy said during the chat at a McDonald's restaurant. "I know, eventually we will also fail."

Ethnic Indians form about 8 percent of Malaysia's 27 million people, and complain that the government denies them opportunities in jobs, education and business. They say that years of systematic repression have kept them at the bottom of society. The government denies this and says all Malaysians have benefited from the spectacular progress of the export-driven economy since independence in 1957.' (extracted from International Herald Tribune)

To see the protestors in action, click on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m96FCTKHNA8

Racial discrimination is very real in our world as history has shown. When people become prejudiced against each other based on their race, skin colour, religion or their origin, violence and oppression can result.

Can it be prevented? Let me know your views by leaving a comment.