Racial and Religious Sensitivities

During this food trail, my group learnt about a lot more about racial and religious sensitivities. Sensitivities seems like a big word but actually it just means that we have to understand and accept each other the way we are. Remember, being SENSITIVE is being

susceptible the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others.

Racial and religious sensitivities is something that is not just addressed just over a topic/forum. This matter is commonly addressed everyday, everywhere.

One way where this "topic" is introduced and expressed through is through FOOD - a basic life necessity.

In a racially diverse country like Singapore, we are exposed to different food all the time. There are the Chinese, Malay, Indian, Western, Arab just to name some. These food can be found everywhere.

More commonly, when we try another race's food that we do not like, it is not that we are rude, it is just that we are not really used to their food. However, Singaporeans are fairly diverse as we try another race's cuisine all the time. We do not stick to our own cuisine, which shows supceptibility to other attitudes.

Sometimes, race is related to religion. For example most of the Malay population in Singapore are Muslims. Muslims cannot eat non-halal food such as pork.

It is very heartening when we often see non-Muslim people not eating pork or even preparing port in front of a Muslim. That shows susceptibility to other people's circumstances.

Another example is if a Chinese person who can eat all types of food throw a party, she does her best and try to make her dishes halal and vegetarian friends. If not, she would surely cater some food that they can eat for them. This shows care and concern, which is linked to sensitivity.

When a person immerses himself in Singaporean culture, he can experience racial and religious sensitivities at all places, at all times. For instance, people have changed and shaped their dishes in a way to fit or merge with another culture. They might even change their ingredients as an alternative to make the dish cater to more vast customers.

In conclusion, racial and religious sensitivity is everywhere, it's just whether you are aware enough of it.