Why are Hong Kong’s young still bearing the brunt of prejudice and discrimination?
- Whether aimed at ethnic minority pupils, the children of mainland Chinese parents or local autistic children, discrimination is alive and well
- More laws are not enough, we should take a hard look at ourselves and cherish differences, not revile them
“Discrimination is not done by villains, it’s done by us,” said Vivienne Ming, the neuroscientist. Although condemned, discrimination remains prevalent, and while adults can sometimes cope, children often cannot and face lasting damage. In a city acclaimed for its quality of life, this situation is intolerable.
On September 8, the UN Development Programme issued its latest Human Development Index, which surveyed 191 places in terms of human development, being knowledgeable and having a decent standard of living, with Hong Kong ranked fourth. Although impressive, this rating belies the discrimination in key areas.
Equality of treatment is enshrined in the Basic Law and although laws exist to combat discrimination because of disability, gender, family status or race, some people fall between the gaps. Legislation notwithstanding, the prejudices that beget discrimination are hard to erase.