INTRODUCTION
Intra-Ethnic Conversations (IEC) is a program that aims to unpack the diversities within the different ethnic communities in Singapore. It aims to foster meaningful conversations for participants to share and learn more about the differences within larger racial groupings (i.e. CMIO). Participants will learn more about the lives of the Hokkiens, the Cantonese, the Sikhs, the Bugis, the Eurasians, and more. This is a ‘Diversifying Diversity’ effort by hash.peace, a social harmony advocacy group in Singapore. Through this effort, hash.peace intends to develop friendships that transcend differences and contribute to an inclusive society.
It is the hypothesis of hash.peace members that exposure and education about the diversity within each racial group in the CMIO framework will help to widen the knowledge and understanding of different cultures and practices within what may seem like the same ethnic community. This may help in reducing negative stereotyping, implicit bias and also microaggressions. Also at the same time, learning about different ethnic communities will help Singaporeans to better understand the identity of their fellow citizens and residents (e.g differentiating the Hokkien from Teochew, the Malayalees from Tamils etc).
#2: OUR DIVERSE INDIAN COMMUNITY
The second edition of Intra-Ethnic Conversations (IEC) will follow up from the first IEC with the aim of further exploring the diversity of the communities that would conventionally be viewed as “Indian” or “South Asian”.
IEC#2 aims to further develop and build our cultural knowledge and to break stereotypes. Similar to the first IEC, IEC#2 will invite guest speakers to share about the commonalities and differences in Language, Food & Festive Celebrations. Participants will engage in Zoom video conversations with the guest speakers and learn more about the different communities in Singapore.