Dear Editor,
I am writing to air my opinions about the prevalence of discrimination against minority groups in such a globalised and civilized city as Hong Kong. Our government has long been depicting Hong Kong as an international city of multicultural integration and cultural diversity but discrimination against racial minority groups actually undermines such reputation. This problematic situation needs to be changed and the message of zero tolerance to discrimination against any races should be filtered through to the city as a city’s value does not only depend on its physical glamour, attractiveness and extravagant advertisements and promotion, but the humanity standard of people.
Prior to dealing with the discrimination problem, we must first ascertain the factors contributing to people’s perverted attitude towards the minority races like Filipinos, Indians and people from the Middle-East. One major reason is that people simply dislike them and label them as weird people because of their difference in language, culture, skin complexion, living habits and physical appearance. This kind of mindset actually stems from our ignorance and misunderstanding of the minority groups, leading to a host of discriminatory acts towards them, like disrespect for their culture and religious beliefs in the form of verbal bullying, curtailing their rights illegally, which is frequently found in workplace as employers always refuse their job applications. Owing to misunderstanding, bias is developed so we always emphasize the difference in race and overlook the fact that we are all members of our community.
The seriousness of discrimination problem also lies in people’s misconception that the minority groups disrupt social harmony and public order, like committing crime and immoral activities. The clusters of minority groups are found in Sham Shui Po and Yau Ma Tei which are conceived as the breeding ground of crime and they are always being linked to dishonesty in doing business, prostitution and drug selling. Because of some black sheep among them, people often harbor hostility and malice towards them.
Added to the above, the minority groups are discriminated against because of their low social status. Sad but true, a large proportion of them live with slender means which can barely sustain the livelihood, especially for those who newly immigrate to Hong Kong with low education level. Some of them even cannot find a job because they cannot speak Cantonese, thereby only living on the verge of starvation by receiving limited help from the charities. Besides, for those who are employed, they can only perform arduous jobs like construction workers. Consequently, many Hong Kong people stereotype them as a burden to society and treat them in derisive manner.
To cope with the discrimination problem, all parties in our society must act in consensus. The government should play an active role. Though laws and regulations concerning racial discrimination are enacted, the enforcement efforts should be strengthened as all laws are useless if they are not implemented effectively. Promotion can be done among the minority groups to educate them about their rights and encourage them to seek authority’s help if they are treated in discriminatory ways.
Besides, the schools, charities and social organizations should make more efforts to promote racial harmony and cultural integration. As the young generation is the future pillars of our society, better mutual understanding between the youngsters of minority groups and Hong Kong teens can promote long term harmony and eliminate the perverted mindsets. Social groups and schools can organize cultural exchange programs, like day camps to achieve the above aim.
The mass media should not stand idle too. The media should be more concerned about the minority groups and reveal their situation to society through TV programs, newspaper articles and radio programs in order to make the public have more knowledge about them.
I believe that in a genuinely international city, discrimination against any races and people should not be tolerated. Concerted efforts of different groups in society should be made to bring discrimination to termination.
Yours faithfully,