For some strange reason, Singaporeans are obsessed with race. In some countries in the West, you can be sued for asking a person’s race or religion. But over here, nearly all job application forms ask for the person’s race and religion, even though most jobs have nothing to do with race or religion (such as teaching Math?).

The day after I posted Just had a terrific conversation with a parent …, a parent called and our conversation went like this:

caller:”Hello, are you Mr Eeeeyaaa…saa?”

me:”Yes, kind of.”

caller:”Are you Chinese?”

me:”Do I have to be?”

caller:”Oh, no, no, no. Sorry, I mean …. your name, I couldn’t figure out whether it’s Chinese, Indian or something. No, you don’t have to be Chinese.”

I’m a private tutor of Math and Physics. People KNOW that before they call. It intrigues me that callers do not first ask for my qualifications or teaching experience (actually, I’ve long intended to write another post – The kinds of parents who call me).

Ok, so what is my race? Because my father is Malay, I am Malay, simple. Am I qualified and experienced enough to teach Math and Physics? Click About Ilyasa to find out.

Once in a while I get phone replies like “Sorry, I seek a Chinese tutor.” Just once I got this comment from a parent:”You are Malay har? So are you good in Math?” ( I actually said yes). There’s some black sheep in every community. I’ve had tens and tens of wonderful and polite Chinese tutees (some from SAP schools even) and their parents who have no problems with me as their children’s tutor. Some of my tutees were also from Taiwan and the PRC. And fortunately, my Indian, Malay, Korean, Filipino and Myanmar tutees have not requested me to teach them in other than English, knowing full well that the exams are in English.

I do hope that Singaporeans move away from this obsession with race and look beyond our differences, else we should be ashamed to call ourselves Singaporeans.

Rgds,

Ilyasa