For such an ethnically diverse country, Singapore has a remarkably harmonious society. While racial and religious tensions regularly flare up in many parts of the world, in the city-state of Singapore, people of various races have lived together peacefully for many decades. _(1)_ Visitors who enjoy Singapore's shopping, food, and other attractions may not realize that the racial harmony they observe is not there by accident. _(2)_ On every July 21, the nation celebrates Racial Harmony Day, which is held to remember the race riots that occurred on that day in 1964. _(3)_ During Racial Harmony Day, school children are urged to think about the success Singapore has had in becoming a society built on racial diversity and harmony. _(4)_ A good example of how seriously racial intolerance is viewed can be found in a recent incident in which a woman named Amy Cheong posted complaints and insensitive remarks about the Malaysian community on her Facebook page. _(5)_ After Cheong's Facebook post, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on his own Facebook page that people should respect other cultures and be careful about what they say. Taking into consideration Singapore's racially troubled past, perhaps it's not surprising how strongly Cheong's words were condemned.
(A) In two separate incidents during that year, both of which saw violence between Chinese and Malaysian groups, 36 people were killed and 556 were injured. (B) Although Cheong later apologized publicly about her comments, she was fired from her job at a trade union center and a complaint about her was made to the police. (C) The country has put a lot of effort into building and maintaining good relations among its residents. (D) Racism is learned from family members or friends at an early age. (E) What's more, students are encouraged to dress in their traditionalcostumes. (F) While 75 percent of the population is Chinese, the other quarter is made up ofMalaysians, Indians, and others of mixed ethnicities.
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