Casual racism at the playground
 

Brought my toddler to the playground earlier today and there were these 3 Malay kids playing at the playground structure.

When I approached the slide to let my toddler have a go, they kept laughing and pointing at my kid then they told me he looks “funny”. I asked them why and one of them said “he looks like my classmate xxx (some Chinese name)”.

Was quite shocked at the casual racism displayed by these kids (primary school age). I really didn’t expect such behavior by young children.

As a parent, do you have similar experiences? How do you react?

there are always these riff raff who display this kind of rude behavior
their parents probably didnt bring them up with good values
i make it a point to inculcate tolerance and understanding in my kids

you can only control certain things
that being said, kids nowadays are used to multi-cultural settings an I have great hope for our youth (i work with kids in a voluntary capacity)

Imo it is perfectly normal for kids to congregate together via common characteristics and ostracize the odd one.

Can be color. Can be curly hair. Can be unbranded bags.

Actually I see this happening for adults as well. A group of colleagues speaking Chinese to one another and the only other odd one no catch ball to the conversation.

Our kid may likely do the same outside supervision in school. I will think it's a good opportunity to teach the kid to be tough against such scenarios, and to be more sensitive so they can avoid being hurtful to others

You got picture of your child? Not everything is racism. Maybe really have physical defect

IMHO.
Maybe you can share where is the casual racism ?
The title of this thread and what you have written, there is.

haha.. i agree with you. more like TS is the racist

Eh.. i find out info only hor. :D

Not defending the boys' behaviour, but it doesn't seem like racism IMO.

Nothing to do with Chinese or Malay. Even you quoted him as saying, "he looks like my classmate XXX" and not "he looks like a Chinese" or something similarly racially offensive.

More like they found something funny in one of their friend's classmates. Probably a physical feature? Or perhaps they didn't use the right words to express how they felt your boy looked like his friend?

Though nothing was mentioned about the immediate reaction, I hope you had reacted more positively to remind them to be nicer to one another.

Perhaps the Malay kids just weren't tactful, after all they are just at primary school age.

Nothing racist. Don’t everything also racists. It’s TS who is racist. He is assuming ppl are racists coz they different race.

Erm... "He looks like my classmate xxx" and you call it casual racism? :s11:

Some people say that I look like a relatively famous personality.
Some people say I don't look Singaporean.
I go Thailand, Indonesia, people think I am a local Thai Chinese or a Malaysian.

Point is, people of all ages have their opinions.

TS,Dun overthink....

Define Casual Racism ?

I don't see anything wrong in that comment made by the kids ....

Would you come here and rant if an Indian girl says you look like chow yun-fat .....or would you go around screaming " Issit because i am Chinese ?!?! "

:s8:

You don't come and drama and play race card la.

Ya lo. I brought kids to playground since they learn to walk. Play with other kids no issue diff races. I don't even stand that close or listen to their kids chat. Also nv see other parents do that. Even if they play most of time, u only heard kids shouting with excitement.

Ts story very cool story or think too much.

Sent from Toilet While Making Cake. using GAGT

Nothing racist, maybe your child really looks like the classmate?

But for you to point out their race...I thought that’s unnecessary. You could have just NOT mention their race.