Heart of the Matter Podcast: Education and awareness matters more in dealing with casual racism

[LaksaNews]

It was recently announced that casual racism allegations will be investigated as disciplinary breaches in the police force. But are guidelines always so clear cut? Where are the grey areas and how can organisations deal with it?

Dr Mathew Mathews, head of the Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab, Aamir Bana, an undergraduate at Yale-NUS College and Jerviel Lim, head of people and culture at Tatsu Works have an honest conversation about how we should deal with casual racism in our society and workplaces.

Host Steven Chia (extreme left) with his guests, Aamir Bana, a Yale-NUS College undergraduate, Dr Mathew Mathews, head of the Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab, and Jerviel Lim, head of people and culture at Tatsu Works. (Photo: CNA/Junaini Johari)
Aamir Bana:

People who have experienced casual racism, very few have actually voiced out. Speaking from personal experience, sometimes you just take it on the chin, or you laugh it off.

Jerviel Lim:

I believe that being clear about your boundaries is being kind ... and at workplaces, everyone needs to be mindful of each other's boundaries.

Dr Mathew Mathews:

People recognise that (casual racism is) problematic ... even when you do it among friends. (We) are increasingly becoming more sensitive about that.

Jump to these key moments:

• 1:10 What is casual racism?
• 5:12 Casual racism in a workplace
• 9:34 When is it easier to "let it go"?
• 12:04 Tell people if they are offensive
• 14:09 How organisations deal with complaints
• 16:46 Should it be legislated?

Find more episodes of Heart of the Matter here.

A new episode of Heart of the Matter drops every Friday. Follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify for the latest updates.

Have a great topic for us? Drop the team an email at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg

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