Singapore celebrated Racial Harmony Day (RCD) on 21/07/16. It was to commemorate the importance of racial harmony in Singapore with the diverse cultures we have!! Here’s a photo of me and my friends celebrating RCD a few years back:

Currently, Singapore is living in racial harmony. How about 24 years later?

 “Singapore population to be half-foreign by 2030” 

Are foreigners able to cope with Singapore’s strict laws regarding racial harmony?

Will they be able to accept the different races and religions we have?

Is it possible for a multi-culturalism society?

Culture dilution is yet another issue we are worried about. Putting aside living in harmony… With increasing diversity in cultures, will we lose sight of our traditions? Singapore’s one of the rare nations whereby we have our distinct colors and yet have a common national identity when we come together.

This article “Migrants add flavour to 'salad bowl' nation” speaks positively of migrants and the writer seems to be rather confident in Singapore’s foundations to cope with the diversity.

On the other hand, the situation in France seems to be saying otherwise.

Last year, 7 January 2015, there was a shooting incident that took place due to “cultural clashes”. People living in Europe value freedom of speech a lot, however, others may not think the same. The Charlie Hebdo shooting took place because of “freedom of speech”.

Charlie Hebdo was a French satirical newspaper that mocked Islam/Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) using sarcasm etc. This was perceived as freedom of speech in expressing views against Islam/ISIS. Well, the people being mocked did not feel the same. They felt ridiculed instead. In short, this tragedy is a product of racial and religious differences.

What is your take? Can cultures co-exist?

Let me know at the reactions column!!