racism. 1. Minorities in Hong Kong's Mainstream Society: The Invisible Other

Although Hong Kong is an immigrant society, residents of different skin colors, races, origins, languages, or living customs move here, but about 92% of the population are ethnic Chinese, which is roughly a single-racial society.

In this international metropolis that claims to be "diversified, inclusive and inclusive," the mainstream society centered on "Hong Kong people" and even "Chinese" still has strong xenophobic sentiments.

The label of "race" is more likely to encounter obvious and even offensive differential treatment due to its apparent skin color and appearance characteristics; the label of ethnic minorities itself is more often regarded as "original sin."

South Asian minorities and other people at the lower levels have encountered various discrimination and inconveniences in their daily lives. Due to the widespread existence of deep-rooted concepts in society, many problems have been ignored or concealed. Compared with the respected white people in Hong Kong (White people), they are more like "the invisible other."

Associate Professor Liang Xuming of the Department of Cultural Studies of Lingnan University told "Hong Kong 01" that the label stems from ignorance, and society should first face the issue of racial discrimination, instead of completely solving it.

(Photo by Yu Junliang)

As an example, Chen Demao, associate professor of the Department of Social Work at Hong Kong Baptist University, cites that white people’s insufficient ability to use Chinese will not be discriminated against and excluded, while ethnic minorities in South Asia will be subject to many restrictions due to this, which demonstrates the difference between positive and negative differential treatment.

(Photo by Ou Jiale)

Zhang Fengmei, director-general of Rongle Club, pointed out to "Hong Kong 01" that racial discrimination was more obvious during the epidemic.

Some people believe that minorities do not pay attention to hygiene and do not wear good masks to cause the epidemic to break out again, but the treatment of white people under the same circumstances forms a sharp contrast.

(Photo by Su Weiran)

For details, please read the 294th "Hong Kong 01" Electronic Weekly Newsletter (December 6, 2021)

[Race Discrimination Articles] One | Minorities in Hong Kong's Mainstream Society: The Invisible Other

Two|A tilted society: public services and welfare benefits for ethnic minorities

Three|Minority employment-is the gig economy a bonus or a trap

Four|Chinese or English?

——What kind of language education do ethnic minorities need?

5|What kind of multi-racial inclusion policy should Hong Kong learn from the international community?