Having begun to study Chinese in earnest - their politics, history, and language - I am quickly coming to find it quite interesting how ignorant many Americans are in relation to China. I have had such remarks made to me as: "Why in the world would you learn Chinese? They all know English!" ; "The Chinese really don't have much of an effect on the world outside of China." ; "They are all just dumb communists." And I could continue - some of these comments made by intelligent, educated, individuals. With China rapidly undergoing modernization (note that modernization and westernization do not always coincide - as some mistakenly believe that they do) with such a large - and fast growing - economy, I believe that if there ever was a time when western society needed to gain knowledge of china (and, I might add, the rest of the world) - it's history, polities, and what, essentially, makes it tick - this is that time.
As much as I love America, and am proud to be a citizen of this country, I am sometimes amazed at how little many Americans know, and are aware of, the forces outside of this country. We know, almost begrudgingly, something of the middle east. We know a bit about the nations close to us (both geographically and politically speaking). But aside from that, we tend to be left unaware of anything that is not America. Of course... A rather large portion of the population does not even care to know what is happening in our own government. So I may be jumping the gun when I start complaining that we are not active enough in gaining an understanding of U.S./foreign relations. But as it stands I deeply believe that we - as individuals, and as a nation - we would be better off if we spent a little more time educating ourselves in such things. It seems, however, that most people find it easier, I suppose, to stay inside the happy box of obliviousness. Ah well... I will do my part and, when the time comes, teach my children to do theirs.
I am grateful for parents who did such things as actually talk about the government; took me to major historic sites; taught me our history; volunteered to work at voting offices; served in the military; learned other languages; and grounded me in an appreciation for the opportunities - and responsibilities - I have as a citizen of this country. I don't take that citizenship for granted. It has taken too many lives - not only the ones taken in war, but those also which were spent in dedicated service to this country - to not have a sense of grattitude and duty.
...
This is an interesting article to me:
A Call For Free Press in China.
Many of the people I've talked to lately have been under the impression that people in China are either too stupid to know that things could be different, or are in bed with the worst sort of political ideas. I don't believe that either of these options are the case. So... Enjoy reading. And... Well. Go register to vote or something.
Move,
Sean
