hash.peace is deeply concerned about yet another incident of ‘Blackface’ in Singapore and feels compelled to raise our voice, underscoring the urgent need for schools, businesses, and the wider community to be more mindful of such racially insensitive behaviours.

These incidents, which involve painting one's face black or brown or wearing masks that mimic people of African descent or individuals from other ethnic groups with brown or darker skin tones, reflect a troubling lack of understanding about the social impact of these actions. While the individuals involved may not have intention of perpetuating racism, the lack of awareness and empathy toward the identities they are portraying is deeply concerning. hash.peace views this as a significant challenge to racial harmony in Singapore. We believe the community must address these issues proactively to prevent such incidents in our multicultural society, where respect for racial and religious identities is a cornerstone of our social harmony.

Blackface is widely recognised as racist because it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and contributes to the dehumanisation of individuals of African descent. The practice has its origins in a history of racial discrimination, where it was used to mock and caricature Black people, reducing them to offensive and exaggerated portrayals. In the local context, hash.peace has also observed the occurrence of Brownface which, similar to Blackface, is a form of caricaturisation of peoples with brown or darker skin tones. Through the use of blackface and brownface, a legacy of oppression and exploitation is invoked, reinforcing negative perceptions and dismissing the diverse experiences of minority communities. As a result, both blackface and brownface contribute to a culture of racism and exclusion, undermining efforts to promote dignity and equality for all.

While the history of blackface may be distant from Singapore, the occurrence of such incidents of blackface and brownface here highlights the importation of this harmful behaviour into our society. This underscores the need for education about the dark and painful history associated with blackface and brownface, ensuring that our community understands its origins and the deep-seated racism it represents. By addressing this issue through education, we can prevent the perpetuation of such behaviours and foster a more inclusive and respectful society.

hash.peace believes that diverse communities can be represented through respectful means that do not evoke painful, offensive, or dehumanising histories. Ignorance should not be an excuse. We must recognise the varying levels of knowledge and understanding of different cultures within our society and strive to avoid being overly sensitive to their expression. However, it is crucial to distinguish between cultural appreciation and racist behaviour. This awareness comes through education and increased cultural understanding.

hash.peace calls on schools, businesses, and community groups in Singapore to consider the following measures to address this issue:

• Schools, businesses, and community groups should host regular educational sessions to understand racism and why blackface is racist behaviour. These engagements will help raise awareness and understanding within the community.

• Create safe spaces for dialogue among students, colleagues, and community members, where they can openly discuss how racist behaviours, like blackface or brownface, affect individuals and communities, especially minorities and people of colour. Such dialogues are essential for developing empathy and understanding why these actions cause pain and upset within our society.

• Businesses should build diverse teams to ensure diverse perspectives are represented internally. This diversity will contribute to ongoing education about what may be offensive or insensitive to different communities, helping to prevent such issues from arising.

• Businesses must recognise the importance of taking proactive steps to ensure that their advertisements and communications, internal or external, do not contain racist or religiously insensitive material. This involves rigorous review processes and seeking input from diverse voices. 

• Schools and businesses should consider implementing additional educational measures for students or employees who have engaged in racist behaviour. Community work and projects promoting understanding and respect for diverse identities can strengthen their education and prevent future incidents. 

Beyond these measures, schools and businesses need to cultivate a culture of speaking out against racist behaviours, especially in a multicultural society like Singapore. Educating individuals who may display ignorance is crucial for an environment where everyone feels confident about their identity. 

Groups like hash.peace, along with other ground-up grassroots organisations, have consistently worked to raise awareness about these issues through school engagements and dialogues. However, these efforts alone have their limitations. Without the active and conscious support of schools and businesses, it will be challenging to effectively address racist incidents that occur within these environments. While we can serve as a reminder for better behaviour, meaningful change must be driven from within these systems.

Although racist incidents in Singapore are not as prevalent as in some other communities around the world, this is largely due to our collective low tolerance for words and actions that harm any group within our society. Therefore, institutions that are closest to these issues have a responsibility to create an environment that aligns with our national ethos of social harmony.

hash.peace is always open for dialogue with schools and businesses that may need help in this regard.