Let’s Talk About Respect and Racism in Language

 

To me, any name or label that causes offense to someone based on their race or ethnicity is, by definition, racist.

However, in Singapore, I’ve noticed that some terms — like "Ang Mo" — are still commonly used, even though they can be deeply offensive to some people. The other day, I came across a Facebook post discussing Singapore's fall to the Japanese during World War II. Instead of offering thoughtful discussion, one person simply commented, "Ang Mo lost — couldn't fight for Singapore and just ran off."

That comment wasn't just disrespectful — it was historically inaccurate and dehumanizing. Many Allied soldiers died during the Japanese occupation. Thousands were captured, tortured, or starved to death while forced to build infrastructure for their captors. Suggesting they “ran off” erases the immense suffering they endured.

This brings me back to the larger point: racism isn't always about intent — it's also about impact.

Take the UK, for example. When Jeremy Clarkson used the term "slope" on a TV show, there was immediate backlash from many in the Asian community. Although that term isn't widely recognized as a racial slur in the UK, it is deeply offensive in other parts of the world. People were right to speak up — because what matters is whether someone is hurt by the words used, not just whether the speaker meant harm.

In the same way, "Ang Mo" may not be considered offensive by everyone in Singapore, but it is still a racial label — and it does upset people. That should be enough to give us pause.

If a word offends someone, we should think twice before using it.
Respect isn’t about defending your right to use a word — it’s about choosing not to use it if it might hurt someone else.

Let’s try to be more mindful of how our words affect others. That small act of awareness is what makes a diverse society truly inclusive.