City has become blind to racial stereotypes

Your Sunday issue carried a report about a local TV programme that has caused an uproar: “Darker side of race relations in the city”.

The unhappiness centred on the age-old issue of racial stereotyping. Perhaps the drama was not intended to portray ethnic minorities – in this case our muchneeded and most helpful domestic helpers – as inferior or only suited to a particular line of work. That it gave offence is material. But how and why has racial sensitivity remained an issue in our city for so many years.

Stereotyping goes back a long way. Sixty or more years ago, any Filipino in Hong Kong would have been assumed to be a musician, an Indian or Pakistani person would have been thought of as a guard or watchman, a Caucasian a drunkard or overbearing, and a Chinese from Shantung to smell of garlic.

Things don’t seem to have changed much. There is still insufficient understanding of the role and importance of those who have come to support, help with and share our tasks and burdens.

Perhaps the almighty dollar has blinded us to the virtues, industry, tenacity and loyalty of those we engage to release us from mundane chores so that we can run to a better life. Just because we pay them does not mean we are better, superior or a class above. Have we or dare we ask our domestic helpers or any member of the other ethnic minority groups how they might stereotype us?

Equality might mean different things to different people but fairness is in everyone’s heart. Let’s be fair: do unto others as you would yourself.

James A. Elms, Wan Chai