The oppressions that different classes and ethnic groups face are linked to a greater institutional issue. “Overly long working hours exploits the time of Hong Kong adults to cook, to shop, to take care of their children and elderlies” (Constable, 2005). Many workers are thrown into the labour force in order to earn an income to support their families, in which they sacrifice the time to spend with each other (the basic family reunion) and the the to take care of the family. “Comparing with the importation of labour, the cost of offering free childcare and services for the elderly is much higher. It would have been the responsibility of the government, but the importation of foreign domestic helpers help the government to escape from the obligation in a certain extent. The government lays the responsibility of nursing and caring problems back to the families themselves and regards these out of its responsibility. This is seen as a solution that is similar to neo-liberalism.
In this paper, it is going to analyse how the ethnic minorities contend against the institutionalised racism they face in daily life, by using the movement where the Philippine domestic migrant workers fight for their rights and justice as an example. What’s more, it also investigates the relationship between liberalism and polyethnic rights by stating and reviewing Will Kymlicka’s Liberal Multiculturalism.
Table of Contents
- The Oppressions Faced by Different Classes and Ethnic Groups
- The Philippine Domestic Migrant Workers' Fight for Rights and Justice
- Erwiana Sulistyaningsih's Case and its Impact
- Liberalism and Multiculturalism: Reconciling Individual and Group Rights
Objectives and Key Themes
This research essay analyzes how ethnic minorities in Hong Kong contend with institutionalized racism, using the struggles of Filipino domestic workers as a case study. It also examines the relationship between liberalism and the rights of ethnic minorities, particularly within the framework of Will Kymlicka's liberal multiculturalism.
- Institutionalized racism and its impact on ethnic minorities in Hong Kong.
- The fight for justice and rights by Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong.
- The tension between individual liberties and group rights within a liberal framework.
- The application of liberal multiculturalism to address the concerns of ethnic minorities.
- The role of civil society in advocating for racial tolerance and equality.
Chapter Summaries
The Oppressions Faced by Different Classes and Ethnic Groups: This chapter introduces the concept of institutionalized racism and its interconnectedness with the exploitation faced by various classes and ethnic groups. It uses the example of long working hours for Hong Kong adults, highlighting the sacrifice of family time and the government's reliance on imported domestic helpers as a way to avoid responsibility for childcare and eldercare. The chapter sets the stage for analyzing how ethnic minorities, specifically Filipino domestic workers, challenge these systemic inequalities.
The Philippine Domestic Migrant Workers' Fight for Rights and Justice: This section details how Filipino domestic workers, through their occupation of public spaces in Central Hong Kong, have created a form of temporary autonomy and challenged prevailing racism. By transforming Central from a weekday business hub into a weekend multicultural space, they’ve subverted the power dynamic and forced Hong Kong's mainstream Chinese population to confront their own biases and cultural assumptions. This section emphasizes the power of reclaiming public space as a form of resistance and the potential for multiculturalism to foster tolerance.
Erwiana Sulistyaningsih's Case and its Impact: This chapter focuses on the case of Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, an Indonesian domestic worker who suffered severe abuse. It highlights the inadequate response from Hong Kong authorities, despite public outrage, and underscores the widespread racial discrimination against migrant workers. While Erwiana gained international recognition, the chapter points out that the case, despite its impact, hasn't resulted in significant changes in government policies or public awareness. This section emphasizes the ongoing need for systemic change to address racial discrimination and protect vulnerable workers.
Liberalism and Multiculturalism: Reconciling Individual and Group Rights: This chapter delves into the theoretical debate surrounding liberalism and multiculturalism, questioning whether liberal principles of individual liberty are compatible with the demands for collective rights of minority groups. It introduces Will Kymlicka's work, which attempts to reconcile these seemingly conflicting viewpoints, arguing that liberalism can accommodate multiculturalism. The chapter explores the complexities of group-differentiated rights and their potential conflict with individual autonomy. This section provides a theoretical framework for understanding the political challenges of balancing individual and group rights.
Keywords
Institutionalized racism, Filipino domestic workers, Hong Kong, multiculturalism, liberal multiculturalism, human rights, migrant workers, racial discrimination, collective rights, individual liberty, Will Kymlicka, Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, public space, social justice.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Research Essay on Institutionalized Racism in Hong Kong
What is the overall focus of this research essay?
This research essay analyzes how ethnic minorities, specifically Filipino domestic workers, contend with institutionalized racism in Hong Kong. It examines their struggles for justice and rights, exploring the tension between individual liberties and group rights within a liberal framework, and applying the theory of liberal multiculturalism to understand and address these issues.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include institutionalized racism and its impact on ethnic minorities in Hong Kong; the fight for justice and rights by Filipino domestic workers; the tension between individual liberties and group rights within a liberal framework; the application of liberal multiculturalism to address the concerns of ethnic minorities; and the role of civil society in advocating for racial tolerance and equality.
What specific case study is used in the essay?
The essay uses the struggles of Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong as a primary case study to illustrate the impacts of institutionalized racism.
What is the significance of Erwiana Sulistyaningsih's case?
Erwiana Sulistyaningsih's case, involving severe abuse suffered by an Indonesian domestic worker, highlights the inadequate response from Hong Kong authorities and underscores widespread racial discrimination against migrant workers. While the case gained international attention, it also points out the ongoing need for systemic change to address racial discrimination and protect vulnerable workers.
How does the essay address the relationship between liberalism and multiculturalism?
The essay explores the theoretical debate surrounding liberalism and multiculturalism, examining whether liberal principles of individual liberty are compatible with the demands for collective rights of minority groups. It utilizes Will Kymlicka's work on liberal multiculturalism as a framework to understand the potential reconciliation of these seemingly conflicting viewpoints.
What is the role of reclaiming public space in the context of this research?
The essay highlights how Filipino domestic workers, through their occupation of public spaces in Central Hong Kong, have created a form of temporary autonomy and challenged prevailing racism. This act of reclaiming public space is presented as a form of resistance and a potential catalyst for fostering multiculturalism and tolerance.
What are the main chapters covered in the essay?
The essay includes chapters on the oppressions faced by different classes and ethnic groups in Hong Kong, the fight for rights and justice by Filipino domestic workers, the impact of Erwiana Sulistyaningsih's case, and a discussion of liberalism and multiculturalism in relation to individual and group rights.
What are the key words associated with this research?
Key words include institutionalized racism, Filipino domestic workers, Hong Kong, multiculturalism, liberal multiculturalism, human rights, migrant workers, racial discrimination, collective rights, individual liberty, Will Kymlicka, Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, public space, and social justice.
What is the intended audience for this research essay?
The intended audience is primarily academic, aiming to provide a structured and professional analysis of the themes related to institutionalized racism and the struggles of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong.
- Quote paper
- Andrea Fung (Author), 2016, Social Justice. Minority Rights. Regain of public spaces and civil movement from the Philippines, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/374751
