The similarities are so obvious I’m surprised I don’t see this kind of news article more often. Xinhua, China’s largest news organization and an acknowledged government mouthpiece, ran a short story today about the American Indian tribes in New Mexico and Arizona. Why, you ask? Good question.
The story ran in both English and Chinese, and has obviously been sitting in a file waiting for the right moment to be published. I believe, prompted by all this news about the Dalai Lama and an arms deal with Taiwan, somebody decided that moment should be now.
Why the American Indians?
The story of the struggle between United States and its native inhabitants runs parallel to China’s relationship with Xinjiang’s Uyghurs and the Tibetans with the exception of one major difference: time. While ours has mostly become history, this battle in China – evidenced by certain riots last July – is very much a current dilemma Listen to the language of the two pieces (which, by the way, are completely different articles) and notice how they are making a story out of a non-event:“The Native Americans are living at risk in the United States.” (English)
“Native American culture…is facing the danger of extinction” (translated Chinese)
“Some Indian tribal languages are vanishing among native tribal members.” (English)
“Now it’s rare in the United States to see the head feathers and face decorations of the Native Americans.” (translated Chinese)
What’s the Point?
The unspoken yet subtle argument of these articles is simple: you’ve got problems, too, America. All of the statements above are correct, of course, but that isn’t an adequate defense. One of my students once tried to argue their way out of not turning in their assignment by pointing out that one of his classmates also forgot. I failed them both.
I would have laughed even harder, however, if that student had pointed to a kid who failed to turn in his homework 100 years ago as his excuse. The analogy isn’t perfect, of course, but you get the idea.
The Hypocrisy of it All
On one side you have the Chinese, who speak of a Native American culture dying within the beautiful reservations of New Mexico while ignoring the fact that they just tore down Kashgar’s Old City for the purpose of “modernization”.
On the other hand I’m not convinced that the U.S. was completely fair to the Native Americans and didn’t handle the situation very well in the beginning the way that the U.S. handled their native people was a complete failure. Our government tends to believe that the lessons learned from this should be shared on a global stage while China wants them to just focus on their own problems.
Neither side is going to own up to its hypocrisy, though, which means that one of the few results of this feud is going to be stupid articles like this one in Xinhua that is passed off as being “news”.
What do you think? Is it wise for China to bring the Native Americans into this fight or are you suprised it took them so long?
Update 2/03: I have received a stronger reaction from this post than I expected. I apologize if it seems that I brush past the plight of the Native Americans. I am not. I have not researched that situation as much as I would like and so I prefer to not open my mouth too wide. I am merely pointing out how unfair it is to use another person's suffering as a defense for your own behavior.
Update 2/03: I have received a stronger reaction from this post than I expected. I apologize if it seems that I brush past the plight of the Native Americans. I am not. I have not researched that situation as much as I would like and so I prefer to not open my mouth too wide. I am merely pointing out how unfair it is to use another person's suffering as a defense for your own behavior.
25 Comments:
"with the exception of one major difference: time."
Man, there is another difference, even more important.
Native Americans --> near extinction
Native Tibetans --> population doubled in 50 years.
Maybe the US really should teach China a lesson as to how to "handle" the problem.
It seems Native Americans are frequently one of the talking points when nationalistic Chinese respond to American criticism of China's minority policy. It is opportune to put a spread in Xinhua, as you said, though.
It's unfortunate that Xinhua chose not to interview anyone for this story though. The pictures seem ambiguous at best with respect to the claims of the text... I doubt Native Americans would want Xinhua speaking for them anymore than Uyghurs or Tibetans would.
The hypocrisy of the Chinese stance is one thing, the message to the West is another. If China suggests that America get off of its high horse when it starts moralising about minorities, environment, human rights or anything else there is no doubt that it has some right to do so. Western nations ascended to their current positions on the back of exactly the kind of policies that they now criticise in developing nations.
This is not in any way to justify the actions of the Chinese government, of course, but rather to suggest that criticism of this kind carries a whole lot more weight when coming from individuals or institutions not themselves directly associated with exactly the same kind of actions. The situation in Xinjiang is pretty much incomparable with what happened in America: the Uyghur have not been slaughtered wholesale; exposed to devestating pathogens; enslaved and corralled. If China cheated on its test, America stole the answers, broke the windows and beat up the teacher.
James, you made a mistake in your last sentence:
"China cheated on its test". This is incorrect. The politically perfect sentence should be:
China cheated, cheats/is cheating, and will cheat on its test.
Moreover, "America stole the answers, broke the windows and beat up the teacher."
Forget it, they are all past tense (i.e. "While ours has mostly become history"). After all, the US has passed its PhD dissertation, and has become a fully-fledged lecturer. Its motto perhaps is "do what I say..."
@Anonymous - Like I said, I agree that the situation wasn't handled well by the U.S., but I'd have to see some credible research before I start to believe that the Tibetans are better off thanks to all of this!
@kepsiz - Good point. The images are stock photos that really say nothing about the story and help the Native Americans in no way.
@James - Thanks for weighing in, but I think I beg to differ about there being similarities. In fact, the similarities are so apparent that even the Chinese see it and post this kind of article on Xinhua.
Also, when you talk about being exposed, I think you very much forget about everybody who died as a result of the nuclear testing in Lop Nor. That's a biggie.
Josh,
"In fact, the similarities are so apparent that even the Chinese see it and post this kind of article on Xinhua."
I take that as evidence that you sincerely believe there are similarities between the fate of Tibetans in China and the native Indians in the US.
You also states that "... I'd have to see some credible research before I start to believe that the Tibetans are better off thanks to all of this!"
Well, better off or not could be a rather subjective issue depending on who you are and what measures you take, etc. Nevertheless, would you agree that the Tibetans as a people are much better off than their native Indian "counterparts"?
I think the point here is that is the US a bit hypocritical in lecturing (sincere and measured suggestion/advice should be welcome) China what to do? I don't think some heavy-weight research is needed in this case. Common sense should suffice.
I'm somewhat surprised at this post. I had much respect for Josh, but now I confess that that
has faltered a bit.
China has done much for its minorities - much more than what can be said for Red Indians in America or Aborigines in Australia; or the tribals in India's Naxal Belt (many of whom started a movement called Naxalism to protest the lack of development in those areas and years of government neglect. This phenomenon has been called by the Indian PM as the 'Biggest internal security threat to the country').
In 2007 there was a 6.8 magnitude earthquake just 100 miles away from Kashgar. In 1902, there was an 8.0 earthquake, one of the 20th century's biggest, which killed 667 people. Clearly, this is a highly earthquake prone area.
Yet, I feel that what Josh and the western media would rather that when an earthquake strikes, Kashgar's citizens would die beneath those old and crumbling houses. (At least they will die preserving their own 'culture'!) If that happens, the same western media will say that - look - the Chinese government has not developed the minority regions!! Therefore, it discriminates against minorities!
Consider the state of exiled Tibetans in India. For fear of losing Tibetan 'culture', the Tibetan government in exile doesn't allow them to intermarry with non-tibetans. Many don't know English or Hindi and can't get jobs or an education. (http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1884187,00.html)
Also, China is not 'using another person's suffering as a defense for its own behavior'!
If China really discriminated against minorities, then why is the one-child policy relaxed for them? The Western media keeps saying that China 'encourages Han migration into the region so that Han become the majority', without giving any evidence of it. The majority of the Han grants are just trying to escape poverty and unemployment in their own areas, but the Uygurs consider them as competitors, taking land, jobs and other scarce resources from local people.
However, if China develops the autonomous regions, then more Han will migrate there in
search of jobs, sometimes at the cost of locals. Then what is the government supposed to do, not develop the regions at all? (Also I understand that their are reservations for minorities in educational institutions).
I think that the riots were a result of there being very less people to people contact between Uyghurs and Han Chinese - they just don't trust each other, and not because of any
Government policies, as in India.
Maitreya
http://indiaschinablog.blogspot.com/
@Maitreya –
First, in regards to infrastructure and the modernization of Kashgar, you make a valid point that if a major earthquake were to hit again, it may cause devastation. The problem occurs (which is a major theme here) in that China’s leadership does not discuss or work with the Uyghurs. Rather, they force them out of house and home, and let the tension boil. Not to mention that many of these buildings could have been saved/retrofitted.
Secondly, the argument that China is “easier” on the Uyghurs is absurd. I think it’s great that they don’t enforce the one-child policy, but what good does that do when you are living a life that is void of rights? And the problem with Han migration is that the Uyghurs want to preserve their culture and way of life, and with the population shifting to majority Han, the youth will no longer speak Uyghur (they will speak Chinese), and they will no longer carry on the traditions that have made them unique for over a thousand years. On this topic of preserving culture, I want to be very clear that what the United States did to the Native Americans was absolutely wrong, and reprehensible. The difference is that China hasn’t completely wiped out the Uyghurs, and there is still chance to come to a cooperative agreement that allows Uyghurs’ self-determination.
Lastly, your statement, “I think that the riots were a result of there being very less people to people contact between Uyghurs and Han Chinese - they just don't trust each other, and not because of any
Government policies” could not be farther from the truth. The government controls the media in China; therefore it could be considered “policy” when the only thing spewing out of Xinhua and the People’s Daily is negative fabrications about the terrorist and separatist activities of the Uyghurs. You are right in that a majority of the Han does not hold their views because of contact with the Uyghurs, but rather, it is because of China’s calculated language, and off-putting image that they cast upon the Uyghurs and Xinjiang.
-Erland
http://uyghurblog.com
Erland,
"self-determination". sooner or later, somebody is going to hold up this holy banner. Self-determinate what? Nobody else other than Uyghurs can settle here? Oh, let's start the "we are here first" argument. The Uyghurs are the natives (and nobody else), so this is our land. Get out, otherwise, we cut your throats. Is this the metality of the so-called "self determination"?
"negative fabrications about the terrorist and separatist activities of the Uyghurs.", you must really believe that in this world only you and the Chinese government are the master of information. While the Chinese government fabricates, you tell the truth. The rest of us only have two choices, either beleive the Chinese propoganda or the truth of yours?
You get to teach us how the evil Chinese fabriated the 120 or so killings last year. You should also enlighten us as to how to shed a positive light on the holy non-terrorist, non-separtist activities of the Uyghurs (some Uyghurs to say it more accurately) who enthusiastically took a hand in the killings.
Josh, you are getting famous now.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8492224.stm
@Anonymous –
I apologize for the obvious animosity that you have on this topic. We should all remember that this is a very sensitive subject, and there are no black and white answers. I want to quickly address some of the items you brought up because they are very counterproductive to a meaningful conversation. In regards to “self-determination”, I am not claiming that Xinjiang should be Uyghur only, that’s unrealistic. The actual definition of self-determination is it “embodies the right for all peoples to determine their own economic, social and cultural development.” Unfortunately, this cannot be achieved with bulldozers and batons.
The violence on and around July 5th was inexcusable, however, it did happen. If you think that “120” individuals were killed (assuming that they were mostly Han), I think you should attempt to get primary accounts of what happened during this event. The Uyghurs who acted with violence were wrong to do so, I agree. I just ask you not to be ignorant to how the protest originally started, and the conditions that the Uyghurs were dealing with before the event took place.
I don’t claim to know everything. It’s actually impossible to know everything because of the absolute restriction of information coming in and out of China. I believe there is a reasonable and peaceful way to resolve the tension in both Xinjiang and Tibet, and move the country forward as one unit with all sorts of different parts. It begins with an opening up of the media, and a lot of reconciliation.
P.S. Congratulations Josh. It is great to see a blogger have such a large impact on the international community. BBC. Well done!
-Erland
http://www.uyghurblog.com
Erland,
The genuine grievances of the Uyghurs should be addressed, so are the ones of other ethnic groups in China. The Han Chinese also have theirs. So, if the intention is, as you have pointed out, how to move the country forward as one unit, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that demand. However, what we are seeing now is not, again as you have pointed out, a problem with black and white answers. Unfortunately, many people, especially those who stand far away and pretend to know the answers straight away always like to paint a black and white picture (for whatever reasons/agendas), i.e. the innocent oppressed Tibetans and Uyghurs and the evil Chinese oppressor. Moreover, they often say that the silver bullet is "self-determination".
There were "self determinations" in Cyprus, former Yogoslavia, Kosovo and Georgia. Who win and who lose? The politicans and the elites of the society who can gain power and wealth later win, so do the powers who stood behind. What about the people who suffered and is still suffering or even perished?
Self determination, who is the judge here? Where is the limit? Can the Serbs in Kosovo self-determinate? What about the Turks right to self-determinate in Cyprus (their country is not really recongnised)?
I am a Chinese currently living in USA. Since I came to USA, I have noticed there is no black graduate students in this big building.This
state has more than 30% black population. If I see some black people, they are the cleaners. I also noticed black people and Latin
Americans usually do manual labour, such as building house or attendants.
Before I came to USA, I read some tips about living in USA. One of them is always putting 5 or 10 $ in your pocket, if black guy asks for
money, just give them.(My friend in Virginia was robbed last year.) My roommate(who has a house in a central state) told me white poeple
do not like to live with Black people. It seems Michelle Obama also said that. I also heared there are more black in US prisons. Have I
ever met a Native American in 2 years? I don't think so. They seem to have disapeared.
My bike was stolen just after one day I bought it. A black guy tried to open my lab door during Xmas holiday. Actually I was inside but
he didnot see me. I called the campus police, the policeman arrived after half an hour. My neighbour(also black people)told me one guy
peered from outside of window at midnight. I was scared. I donot discriminate against any people. Why black people have much higher crime
rate? Has anybody thought about that. I told my friend black people maybe need another 150 years to reach the same lever of white people.
Nobody say these in public, but it does exist.
No offese to US and American people. That's just my experience so far.
When I was in China, some friends and classmates are minorities, such as Man, Mongolian and others. But I even didnot know that after a long time. However, tt's very easy to know Hui people because their religious belief. I really enjoyed Muslim noodles. Average Chinese really do not care about what ethnic group the people (including hifself/herself) are from. However I noticed US gov tortured the uigher people in Guantanamo prison. And US gov,congressmen and most Americans donot allow to release them in US territory. Why? These gentlemen said they are not terrorists. The four uighers released in Palau said they still wore handcuffs on the flight to Palau. If they are terrorists, why not send them to China? If they are not terrorists, why not release them in US? Mr. Cheney strongly criticized obama's plan to close infamous Guantanamo prison. What a shame.
I would like to state for the record that I regret posting this article - not for the content as much as for the misunderstandings. Many people have correctly pointed out that I don't have a good grasp of the Native American history and I wasn't trying to act as if I did.
Also, I am not sticking up for America's actions here. As I said above, BOTH parties are equally hypocritical and it bothers me to see another group of people thrown into this mud fight against their will. All the things the Xinhua article mentioned about the Native Americans are CORRECT. But does Xinhua really give a crap about the Native Americans?
I appreciate the comments and I've learned a good lesson here.
I donot hate any ethnic groups in China. I have not reason to hate them. I respect them. I welcome them to preserve their own cultures and languages. No doubt, they are the treasures of China. I don't think Chinese gov is trying to eliminate them. Actually chinese gov did much better than other countries. Monirities have more right than Han people. But monirities usually live in mountain areas, or border areas, it's hard to improve their living levers as fast as eastern coast areas. (It's the same that Mississippi is much poorer than NY.) Yes, Chinese gov needs to do more. But China is developing country, local govs sometime do not carry out central gov's policies. Or Chinese people need to change their views about some issues, such preserving the culture sites. Bad things not only happen in Kashi, but also in Beijing. A lot people just want to live in modern building with all kind of modern facilities. But they have not realized that if these historical sites are distroyed, they will never get back. But no negotiation with terrorists. I donot think Obama will talk with Osama bin Laden.
@Erland
I appreciate your comment (on my comment).
Your first point is that the reconstruction work is being carried out without consulting the Uyghurs. Well, may I tell you that the regional government is filled with - guess who - Uyghurs.
Secondly, since I have no way of verifying this independently, I'll quote a NYT article, which seems to be biased for the most part, except maybe this:
"The city says the Uighur residents have been consulted at every step of planning. Residents
mostly say they are summoned to meetings at which eviction timetables and compensation
sums are announced."
(http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/world/asia/28kashgar.html?_r=1)
Note that this is not the Chinese state media, but American.
Your second point is that the relaxation of the one-child policy has no meaning if Uyghurs have
no rights. What rights are you talking about? They have the right to food and water - I don't think any minorities are so poor that they don't get three square meals a day. They have the right to education - The right to education bill of 1986 ensured that. They have the right to practice their religion - there are mosques in Xinjiang. I've heard that only government officials are not allowed to practice their religion in public. Well, that's because China is officially atheist. This doesn't count as discrimination, since it applies to Han Chinese too.
Your next point is about preserving Uyghur culture and way of life. First of all, as some others have also pointed out, to say that Uyghur culture lies in bricks and mortar in a city is insulting it.
It lies in people's hearts and minds and way of life. Speaking of preserving culture and way of
life, how exactly will that be (largely) affected by Han migration? The government is not stopping them from living their life the way they want to.
Then you made the point about language. Well, let me remind you that bilingual education has
existed in Xinjiang since 1992. As far as higher education is concerned, it is true that the Uyghur language has been phased out of higher education. But that is the result of many other factors.Will you send your children to an institute which teaches engineering in Uyghur? This same problem exists in India too, as well as many other countries.
Next you go on to say that 'only thing spewing out of Xinhua and the People’s Daily is negative fabrications about the terrorist and separatist activities of the Uyghurs'. Just go to any Chinese news website and search Uyghurs. You will get only positive and optimistic news reports about Xinjiang. Also, are you implying that just because Xinhua carries a news item about separatists, it is implying that all Uyghurs are separatist? Are all Muslims terrorist simply because some of them carry out terrorist attacks?
You seem to suggest that the resentment and rioting is caused by the media!!
I don't think that the media casts an 'off-putting' image about Uyghurs at all. Just search the websites and you know. Note that terrorists are a different case.
In conclusion, I would just like to say that the moment it is known that Kashgar is earthquake prone - the discussion should stop and the residents evacuated immediately.
Even if they are given less compensation as some western media reports say (without giving
any evidence for it), it is any case better than dying in an earthquake, isn't it?
Instead of being thankful to the government, you are saying it discriminates. The government
gives more importance to saving people's lives (the memories of the Sichuan earthquake are
still fresh in their minds), than to preserving some old and crumbling piece of Muslim
architecture. If the government wanted to wipe all such architecture out, there are many other
historical places in Xinjiang that it could have destroyed - Why choose (85% of)Kashgar?
Maitreya
http://indiaschinablog.blogspot.com
@Josh
You're right. Xinhua doesn't give a crap about Red Indians. But for the matter of that, the western media also do not give a crap about Uyghurs. They just want a chance to write against China.
Even Tibet. Countries the world over don't give a damn about Tibet or the Dalai Lama. They just use him as a pawn against China.
Lastly, I just want to say - And I am speaking as an Indian, a country which maybe has witnessed more riots than any other ,and where 2000 (yup, 2000, that's not a typo!) ethnic groups live - There is only so much the Government can do to integrate people of different groups. The main thing is that the people should develop trust and respect for each other. And that will take time.
Maitreya
http://indiaschinablog.blogspot.com
(btw, there seems to be a problem with the commenting mechanism. That's why I had to delete my first comment and post it again).
@Maitreya –
This is a good conversation to have, but we may have to agree to disagree on some of the topics. I’ll try to keep it short, and you can choose to respond if you’d like.
From what I understand, the regional Uyghur government is merely a pawn of Beijing, which was actually led by Wang Lequan (a Han) during the disputes in July. Mr. Lequan was the center of much Uyghur animosity and has since moved on. Your NYT article is correct and proves my point. They are “summoned to meetings at which eviction timetables and compensation sums are announced.” There is a big difference between being part of the conversation, and listening to the conversation.
My rights include more than food and water. You asked for examples, and I have many. Again, we can choose to disagree on this, but I want to give you a few. First, Islam is a certified religion in China, but it comes with restrictions in Xinjiang. Youth are not allowed to enter mosques under the age of 18, individuals are only allowed to use the state-approved version of the Holy Quran, any men working in the state sector cannot wear beards, and Imams are often searched and imprisoned. Speaking of prison, due process and a fair justice system is a right the Uyghurs do not enjoy. A good site to start with is Harry Wu’s Laogai Foundation (http://laogai.org/). I know you probably consider it Western-dribble, but one could also reference Human Rights Watch for more documented cases of many human rights violations. You can also view my blog and read about the Uyghurs illegally deported out of Cambodia who have since disappeared.
In regards to language, it would be good to see the difference between a bilingual education policy, and what is being taught in the schools. I have read concerns from Uyghur parents who are struggling to cope with the younger generation not speaking Uyghur. I understand that business is conducted in Chinese, and so there is an incentive to learn Chinese for the Uyghurs.
Xinhua and People’s Daily DO speak quite positively about Xinjiang, and all the “great things that are going on there.” There is a difference between what is going on in a region, and the people who exist in that region. During the July 5th riots, the Uyghurs were portrayed as terrorist and separatists. When I interview Chinese Nationalists living in the United States, they have a skewed view of who the Uyghurs really are because of the media. It didn’t cause the rioting, but it did not help it.
I want to be very clear that I am not a China hater. I don’t hold a grudge against the Chinese citizens, and I know that many in government are just doing what they are told. As an American, if there is any country that I want to partner with and build a relationship, it would be China. I think that they have made strides, but they have a long way to go. But what do I know? I am some young American blogger who obviously has too much time on his hands (our long comments are evidence of that).
-Erland
http://www.uyghurblog.com
"due process and a fair justice system is a right the Uyghurs do not enjoy."
What is "liangshaoyikuan"?
"When I interview Chinese Nationalists living in the United States, they have a skewed view of who the Uyghurs really are because of the media."
The Chinese have a skewed view of a Chinese region, we Americans have a balanced view. Hehe, how could they have any "unskewed" view as you have already labelled them as "Chinese nationalist" (a lot of negative connotation carried in the west).
@Erland
I think that the argument is getting childish here and off topic. For example, your main concern is against suppression of religion. However, we are discussing (NON) DISCRIMINATION TOWARDS MINORITIES - not FREEDOM OF RELIGION. The policy of children under 18 not being allowed inside places of worship and state employees having to shave beards - that are arguments against FRREDOM OF RELIGION, which is not what we are discussing here. These policies are not discriminatory against Uyghurs, since they are implemented even for Han Chinese (Muslims).
I find it appalling that some in the western media automatically think of minorities like Uyghurs in terms of their religion. I find this condescending. There are other things in Uyghur culture besides religion. Also, take the Uyghur practice of having multiple wives. This is not allowed according to PRC law. Will you say that this is discriminatory?
About access to a fair justice system - Well, the same laws apply to Han Chinese as well. You are again going off topic here. Your comments are suitable in a debate about LEGAL RIGHTS, not (NON) DISCRIMINATION TOWARDS MINORITIES.
About the summoning to meetings - what would you have the government do? ASK the Uyghur population to leave when it is convenient to them? Thus increasing the earthquake risk still further? The government has in fact offered incentives for those leaving early. Also, I would like to point out that the demolition of Kashgar was planned BEFORE the riots.
Also, you say, "There is a difference between what is going on in a region, and the people who exist in that region". What do you mean by 'What is going on in a region'? Aren't the people part of it?’
“During the July 5th riots, the Uyghurs were portrayed as terrorist and separatists.” I don't think they were. Only Uighur separatists are portrayed as separatists, not the normal Uyghur citizens. The media outlets have separate pages for minorities - Xinjiang, Tibet etc.
Your interviewing Chinese in the US is a moot point. Variance of opinion exists everywhere. For eg. on this blog, a Chinese living in the US commented that they respect Uyghurs.
(PS - i don't think you have too much time on your hands. After all, commenting takes only about 4-5 mins :-))
The Uyghur population has increased by about 60 % since 1990, due to govt. policy. That’s why Han Chinese talk about special privileges about minorities, as a commenter did. The bottom-line is what I said earlier, the govt. wants Uyghurs to live better and safe lives – God and Religion are not going to help them in an earthquake or to get jobs - the government is, and does.
Maitreya
http://indiaschinablog.blogspot.com
Congrats Josh!! Nice to see you getting referenced on a website no less than the BBC!!
Keep up the good work!!
Maitreya
http://indiaschinablog.blogspot.com
"Our government tends to believe that the lessons learned from this should be shared on a global stage"
I don't believe that the US government truly believes that. There would be many individuals who would argue that the current treatment of Native Americans and other ethnic minorities absolutely appalling in this country. And how much we tried to push our way of life onto other people because we believe it is the "right" to live. Vietnam wasn't too long ago, Iraq is still going on, soon there will be Afghanistan and perhaps countless other nations in this world.
I am feel like it is somewhat ridiculous to respect a "peaceful" nation as long as they don't do anything bad as long as they are an ally of the US. Especially if their wrong doings and oppression is in the acceptable form of oppression (lack of women's rights), but other forms of oppression is absolutely horrendous as long as it doesn't fit the western view of right and wrong.
I don't agree with what is happening to the Uyghurs, nor do I agree that women should travel around in 100 degree heat covered from head to toe as a form of "modesty", but it wasn't so long ago that I read in "Three Cups of Tea", that this is okay because we must respect another's culture. But at the end, I have to respect them. When does it end that we stop judging other countries, or other cultures because of our own biases?
White Americans grow up having been taught that white people are right, that their laws and that their ways have brought betterment in this world, that it has given people freedom. This topic has been much discussed under the topic of White Privilege, particularly White American Privilege. For your, and probably most of us who grew up in the US, we grew up watching the world through rose-colored lenses. That what we do in this world is right, while other people have been doing wrongs. Why do you think your initially post says "I’m not convinced that the U.S. was completely fair to the Native Americans and didn’t handle the situation very well in the beginning", it is not simply because you don't understand Native American history very well. Who could possibly in this country since not a whole lot is written on it ever makes it into the everyday people's readings? What that shows to me is your rose colored lens, the righteousness of Americans, how much more honorable we are here over everyone else in the world.
"Our government tends to believe that the lessons learned from this should be shared on a global stage while China wants them to just focus on their own problems."
Please.
Since the invasion of Iraq, over 4 million Iraqis have been displaced around the world. Between 2003 and 2007 only 800 refugees (over 2 million) were admitted into the US. Much of those refugees are living in neighboring countries who probably didn't ask for this either. Since 2007, the number of refugees relocated to the US is still less than 0.5%, that leaves 99.5% somewhere else in the world. And for those who end up in the US, they are facing homelessness, poverty or end up working at menial jobs when they were highly educated people in Iraq.
I'm not trying to say what China is doing is not bad, what they're doing is incredibly bad. All I can say is, I do believe they are learning from the US, many good things, but lots more bad things.
Sorry about the harsh common above, got a little worked up there. =(
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