A popular comedian will see if laughter and love are the best medicine for Singapore’s open racial wounds in a new talk show launching next month.
After a spate of racist meltdowns – and rising intolerance for discrimination – Kumarason Chinnadurai, aka Kumar, will host a program meant to promote racial harmony by engaging interracial couples with humor to tackle sensitive topics they face from stereotyping and misunderstanding.
“I feel people ought to know that interracial marriage is not a bed of roses. While I hope that love conquers all, I am sure there must be moments of anguish and frustration in these relationships. What better way to bring this to the surface is through a comedy talk show,” the Singaporean comedian said in an announcement.
He hopes people will tune in for a laugh and pick up greater understanding.
“Hopefully through the joy and struggles of these couples, we will all learn to compromise and deal with people of other races more graciously,” she said.
Let’s Tango! Kumar Talks Heart to Heart with Interracial Couples is what’s planned for at least the first of six episodes. On the program, a panel of interracial couples will address their experiences with racism, how they navigated them, and how they think others can embrace diversity.
They will also dive into their experiences telling their parents about their relationships and how they experienced each other’s cultures.
It seems like there’s been a slew of racially charged incidents in the past year alone. In one that stood out from June, a Ngee Ann Polytechnic lecturer insulted a man of mixed Indian and Filipino heritage who was with his Chinese-Thai girlfriend. The viral incident was called out by several politicians to urge the public to live up to Singapore’s multiracial ideals.
Tickets to the one-hour stream are on sale now for S$30.
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