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Widespread Use of ethnicity, race and religion to divide or define citizens threatens a return of wars and divisions of last century
Even as Singapore recently celebrated its 49th National Day and its own ability to forge "one people" out of ethnic Chinese, Malay, Indians and others, the spectre of identity-based politics continues to haunt the region.
How fitting it would be if the latest return visit to Asia by America's top diplomat, US Secretary of State John Kerry, on behalf of America's first African-American president, also helped push the region, including Southeast Asia and China, to move beyond stereotypes. This is critical if Asia is to move forward toward greater peace and prosperity.
Whether China with its large Uighur and Tibetan populations or Myanmar, also known as Burma, with more than 130 distinct ethnic groups, Asia is facing growing protests and unrest among minority communities who feel poorly served by national government policies and attitudes. Use of ethnicity, race or religion to divide or define one's own citizens should have no place in the Asia of today, whether in giant India under newly elected Prime Minister Nahendra Modi or the smallest Pacific island nation.
How fitting it would be if the latest return visit to Asia by America's top diplomat, US Secretary of State John Kerry, on behalf of America's first African-American president, also helped push the region, including Southeast Asia and China, to move beyond stereotypes. This is critical if Asia is to move forward toward greater peace and prosperity.
Whether China with its large Uighur and Tibetan populations or Myanmar, also known as Burma, with more than 130 distinct ethnic groups, Asia is facing growing protests and unrest among minority communities who feel poorly served by national government policies and attitudes. Use of ethnicity, race or religion to divide or define one's own citizens should have no place in the Asia of today, whether in giant India under newly elected Prime Minister Nahendra Modi or the smallest Pacific island nation.
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