6 Billion Others
June 10th, 2007
Check out this wonderful video that Erik Slayter has noted. This is one reason I agree with Henry Lane, who spoke to us earlier in the year, that it’s only a matter of time before China becomes an economic, political, military and geopolitical force to be reckoned with. They just have too many people like the amazing young woman that’s the subject of this video portrait who are willing to buck up, sacrifice and just get it done ….
Chris — I recently came across this website. This site is a project where they interview regular people from all over the world on a handful of topics such as “love, tears, happiness, childhood, etc.”. It is a very compelling site if you enjoy watching people.
Also, of particular interest to us is an interview with an 18 year old Chinese girl who has just moved to Shenzhen to start working. To get to her interview, once you’ve gone to the “English” page, click on the little link called “portraits”. Once you get videos playing, you can scroll down to “China”.
She talks about her family, her country, her work, etc. I found it to be very interesting to listen to her talk.
Go check it out…it might even be better than watching people at the airport.
Also, before you lecture or preach to the Chinese on labor and factory issues, and to help you put the issue of the factory working conditions we will see in China into a comparative historical context and perspective, you simply must read this Wall Street Journal article, Lemonade Stands? Children Used to Toil 14 Hours, Every Day.
Professor Carr October 15, 2008 update: See also this thoughtful Newsweek article on factory girls in China, Assembly Required. An interesting piece that comes at this controversial topic from a different angle that most I have seen. The book highlighted in the article might also be a good one to select for your Spring quarter book review.
Entry Filed under: Pre-Departure, Shenzhen, China, Misc.
3 Comments Add your own
1. Athena Schwartz | June 11th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Listening to testimonials such as hers make me feel ashamed for complaining about any of my simple problems. I’ve been lucky and have never known the hardships that she must have faced. Our class is so lucky to have the opportunity to get a higher education and to pursue almost any career we desire. Although it might feel awkward, I’m looking forward to the english corner where we can hear more stories like hers.
2. Frank Wallace | December 16th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
This really is a cool website. I watched the video on Jia Yi Yang, and it is sadly similar to so many other stories that could be told from people in China. Although this is just one story from one girl in China, it is a story that resonates throughout their country. For example, when you watch the Tank Man video, one of the six parts interviews three Chinese girls that work in a factory, and each one of them tells a similar story to Jia about not being educated, working in a factory for countless hours a day, and wanting to make enough money to support her parents and siblings. Listening to her story really puts things into perspective for me. It makes me realize how good I actually have it and how things could be and are for some people in this world.
3. Chris Carr | December 16th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Yes, step back for a minute and really think about what she said … “Mama/Papa, thank you for feeding me.”
Not to sound like an old foggie, but I have yet to hear anybody in the US make such a statement of gratitude to their parents.
One of the reasons, but not the only reason, I wanted you to watch this video is because this is a side of village life in parts of rural China that a number of these factory workers come from that the business bashers of the world will never show you or discuss on their blogs when they argue these workers are chained to their factory machines 24 hours a day. Yes, it is a life none of us would want or take on, but its also because we do not have to. Many of these workers come from such deep poverty in their hometown villages that they view working in a factory as a step up and forward in life. This is part how things work in a developing country and is a part of its transition, just like the US once was.
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