It is encouraging to note the number of Singaporeans marrying outside their race has risen steadily and is now double that a decade ago. This is a good sign that multiracialism is still alive.

Though some parents may claim they are open minded and non-racist, the real test comes when their own son or daughter seeks permission to marry someone outside their race.

A friend once told me he has many business dealings with people of other races and has no problem accepting them.

I then asked him: 'What will you say to your daughter when she grows up and tells you she has fallen in love with a man of a different race and she wants your blessings to marry him?'

He shot back without hesitation: 'This will not happen.'

Let us accept multiracialism not only in theory but also in practice when it comes to important issues such as interracial marriage.

Nelson Quah