Chinese Apologists and ‘How Do You Like Them Apples?’
January 28th, 2007
About three months ago, my phone rang at home, I picked it up, heard the words “You f***** China lover. Go live with those Commies if you like them so much,” and then the line when click. A week later it happened again. Then it recently happened again.
I laughed each time, and if anything, was surprised the call did not come earlier. I can see where the caller was coming from — there are some out there who, in their fear of the world and own geopolitical insecurity, interpret another’s intellectual curiosity, passion, writing about via a blog such as this, taking a group of students to a communist country (politcally but certainly not economically), resisting the urge to judge or condemn the warts of China without knowing all the facts, etc., as un-American.
I plead guilty to the first part, but definitely not to be being “un-American.” Do those issues impact business in some way, shape or form? Of course, but so does how the English commoners view the monarchy of England, but I don’t write and blog about that.
In any event, I do occassionallly write about and highlight the dark side of China. I try, though, not to make a ”the world/China is half-empty” view the focus of this blog because: (1) the purpose of this blog is to focus on interesting business issues related to global business and China, not to wake up every day and bash Beijing re: its ineptitude and/or corruption; and (2) the dark side of China is complex and I highly doubt I can offer an answer or practical solution to those problems that someone far brighter than me has not already thought of — e.g., the “Taiwan issue”.
This post is another example of how sometimes I do write about the dark side of China, and on that note I highlight and refer you to Lonnie Hodge’s great post on “When the Revolution Comes“. His post, and the video and pics it refers to, say all that need to be said about China needing to get parts of its act together. I am bullish on China and certain other parts of Asia, but I am also not naive or ignorant of some of the many messes they will need to clean up and address over the coming decades.
Now back to the person out there who keeps calling me at night … ”How do you like them apples now?” Good Will Hunting. Man, I adore that movie!
Entry Filed under: Pre-Departure, China, Misc.
9 Comments Add your own
1. Chuck Rylant | January 28th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
You are the victim of a crime. You should file a criminal report and put a trace on your phone line. If he calls again, have him prosecuted. Ignorance is no excuse. Let me know if you want it done!
2. Lonnie | January 28th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Gad, sorry about your sinophobic stalker…
I get much the same and frequently…The media has done much to demonize China.
Coming back through LAX a few months ago I was detained for an eternity because of my long stay here…They just could not figure out why a person would choose to live here…
After this old bomb squad officer (top secret nuke clearance) and Hapkido trainer of many an Air Marshall was done I felt like I had done something terribly wrong…It took me 2 1/2 hours to jump all their hoops…I would hate to see how they treat a non-vet….
Thanks for letting me know that the post was OK…I write and then worry about how those kind of posts will be accepted…
It is about the courage of the Chinese people to do what WE purport that they cannot: demand a say in their own government…It IS happening….and with frequncy alarming to the government…I have another one going up about a teacher’s strike in Guangzhou…
Unlike many of my Chinese colleagues, the guy on the phone is a coward…No need to lock him up, he is pretty shut in as is…
Best from my beloved Middle Kingdom,
Lon
3. China Law Blog | January 28th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Chris –
I am unabashedly pro-America. Hugely so. I have seen not a shred of evidence on your site to lead me to believe you are otherwise.
Those who think ignorance and bias are somehow good for America are idiots. Knowledge and truth are the key.
Few things are simple. This is that simple.
Report that guy to the police and move on.
4. Chris Carr | January 28th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Chuck, Lonnie and Dan,
Thanks for the comments. Recognizing that “stalker man” likely reads this blog, unless this rears its ugly head again I will let it roll off my back and keep the focus on the paper pile on my desk that seems to be getting taller, not shorter!
By the way, Chuck, as you are a police detective, I am thinking of running a contest when we visit Tianannmen Square in Beijing to see if any of your classmates can recognize and count more plain clothes policemen and surveillance cameras than you with your law enforcement training and background!
Chris.
5. Lonnie | January 28th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
You will run out of fingers and toes….
6. Christopher Arena | January 29th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
I once heard in a movie that “History is written by those win the wars,” or something to that effect. Now lets apply that concept to the American Revolutionary War. Can you imagine how history books would read if the British had won the war, and stomped on our freedom. Would they be calling George Washington and Thomas Jefferson patriots, or anarchists? Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying that I wish we had lost the war. Don’t be that naive. I cherish my freedom and pray for the men and women who fight day and night to defend it, no matter how unjust (that’s an entirely different blog). My point is this; there are hundreds of different viewpoints on every issue, and as an educator (Dr. Carr, and Dr. Hodge), your job is to state facts and show students and those interested, important, relevant information on all sides of an issue. Every viewpoint, every theory, no matter how politically incorrect. To ignore a viewpoint simply because it isn’t held by the majority would be…dare I say un-American. Is our system not designed so that those in the minority have a voice so as to invite change? Keep the viewpoints coming. And I agree with Chuck, prosecute that guy to the fullest extent of the law.
7. Lonnie | January 29th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Well said Christopher…
Lonnie
8. Chuck Rylant | January 30th, 2007 at 9:15 am
Wow Chris, I agree with Lonnie. That was well said.
9. Danny Allustiarti | January 30th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
I hate to admit it but I too like what Chris said. As for the weird phone calls, I can sympathize and am sorry you have to go through this, but I am glad you are not taking it too personally and that says a lot about your character. My recommendation is to stop picking up numbers you don’t know (if it’s your cell). The person who is calling you can probably look at 9 of 10 of our blogs and postings and say the same things to us. I know I have not written about China in a bad way or negative light yet. I thought about why and came up with several reasons. For starters, I am just now starting to get my feet wet and hands dirty with China. Prior to this course I have had very little exposure to their past history as well as keeping up with their current events. All of the stuff I am learning is new and interesting to me. I am just excited to be learning so much and am looking forward to the trip more and more every time I read something. I think the main reason I have not written negative comments about China or the Chinese is that I have no backing to say any negative. I have read some things in books and articles that portray them in a negative light, but who am I to say who is right or who is wrong. I wouldn’t even have enough backing after going there for just three weeks. I simply don’t have enough information or experience to make any type of judgment at this point. Every time I read something negative it seems I read something positive. I am hearing both sides of the story, and I am glad because it really opens my eyes to different viewpoints and helps learning process. Every person is entitled to their own opinion and I do not think the phone calls are at all necessary for the situation. As for me, this just makes me want to learn more and always look for the other side of the story. Good luck with everything and keep up the positive attitude.
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