Interview with a family member on their view on prejudice and dsicrimination

This is an interview conducted by me with my father’s view on prejudice and discrimination. Before I show the interview transcript, I would like to write them my personal feelings of this issue.

I personally feel that having prejudice against someone without actually really knowing him is a really hateful act. I mean, think about it. The person who is discriminated against is being judged by something that is totally not under his control. For example, some people are discriminated because they are blacks while women are being discriminated in some parts of the world. Can these people control their race, their gender, their colour? I think that everyone should have an equal view on things. Even if we start to accuse people, we should be very sure about our facts and base our accusation on something that is under the person’s control. It is totally not fair to judge someone because of their colour or gender or the way they are.

Interview transcript

Interviewer: What do you think is prejudice and discrimination and how do you feel about them?

Interviewee: I think that prejudice is having an unreasonable bias against something and discrimination is treating someone better than another without good reason.

Interviewer: Have you noticed any forms of prejudice or discrimination in Singapore?

Interviewee: Yes.

Interviewer: Ok, in that case, can you describe some of these prejudices and discriminations?

Interviewee: Well, the Singaporeans’ prejudice against PRCs is an example because Singaporeans think that the foreigners are taking away their jobs and are uncouth. Another example could be the prejudice against women in business and government; that women cannot take up responsibility and leadership in the country. An example of discrimination is where rich people are treated better because they have influence and money; hence people give them better treatment and service.

Interviewer: Have you ever experienced prejudiced or discriminations before? Elaborate.

Interviewee: Yes. When I was studying in Australia, the lecturers seem to favor the Australians students more than Asian students. We felt that there was a prejudice against Asian students because the Australians felt threatened by the influx of immigrants into their country. Due to their prejudice, Asian students seem to be discriminated against by not being able to enroll in popular courses that they are interested in where there are limited places.

Interviewer: How did you feel and react to it?

Interviewee: Angry, of course, and unjustified, but we decided that it is best handled by working hard to prove to them that we are equally good, if not better than the Australians.

Interviewer: What do you think can be done about this?

Interviewee: I think that one of the things that can be done to eradicate prejudice and discrimination is through education. This is done by letting people understand that all humans are equal and should be treated equally. Furthermore, this is a moral principle that all should abide to

Interviewer: Do you think that discrimination is justified?

Interviewee: Of course not. I detest it as it creates unfair competition and usually deprives deserving people of their rights.

Interviewer: Thank you