Growing up in Singapore, I considered myself to be relatively culturally aware. It is one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world, and I’ve celebrated everything from Diwali to Vesak Day to Christmas.
Under the city state’s Ethnic Integration Policy for public housing, I interacted with neighbours with backgrounds different from my own. I even received structured racial harmony classes in school, culminating each year in a Racial Harmony Day where Singapore’s cross-cultural communities were celebrated with traditional food and dress.