Embracing otherhood

Qn:What do you think are some of the challenges facing Singapore as the country plays host to more people from different backgrounds and
cultures?

As Singapore plays host to more people from different backgrounds and cultures, the main challenge faced by the country is how to close the gap between the "others" and Singaporeans. According to the article, the population of foreigners is on a rise. Yet, Singaporeans still find it hard to hang out or see them as part of "US". Singaporean minds still finds it hard to imagine white person as an integrated resident and not some overpaid expatriate, and they just can't stop assuming that mainland women are all predators out there to seduce old men of their CPF savings.
Foreigners don't factor into our daily consciousness unless we are "forced" to recognise them. For example, Filipino, Indonesian and Indian women are often known as maids. When we mention Philippine and Indonesia, the first thing came into our mind is maid, not their cultures or backgrounds. Same goes to construction workers-they are all illegal Bangladeshi workers. We all see them in our daily lives but they are far from being one of "US".
Though these foreigners contribute to our economy, they do not get what they deserved. For example, an illegal Myanmar worker who fell to his death while working on a block of flats. his death was not reported by his employer who simply dump his body at a car park. The failure to provide this poor exploited worker a dignified end is stunning. Though he ended his life BECAUSE he's building nice flats for us to live in, yet the incident did not seem to register with the average Singaporeans.
Another challenge faced by Singapore when it plays host to more people from different cultures and backgrounds is that the population of citizens is declining.
The 2000 population census showed that more than one in four people in Singapore is a foreigner. The jump in population from 3.05 million in 1990 to 4.02 million in 2000 comes mostly from the influx of foreigners. Citizens now make up only 74% of the population.
Also, foreigners are having a difficulty with mixing around with Singaporeans. Each side persists in hanging out with their own kind and the gap widens as the population grows.
As Singapore plays host to more people from different cultures and background, Singaporeans must stop resenting foreigners as those who take away their jobs, who seduce the old men and see them as lower class citizens.