thilly thenny

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To be honest, I’m a little more excited about the Beijing Olympics than I anticipated. It’s really a historic day for China.  I remember growing up, my grandparents used to say that the Chinese used to be a premier empire in the world with a great many inventions: gun powder, fireworks, china, noodles, etc.  This was the late 80s before Macao and Hong Kong were returned to the Mainland, before the expansion of capitalism and before Beijing was ever in contention as an Olympic city, and my grandparents speculated that one day, China will once again fall into the favor of the world.

Well… it’s happening.  And there’s some nationalistic pride that swells in me and I simply can’t control it.  It’s the same fierce passion (or rage) that leads me to denounce Japanese policies towards World War II atrocities (fuck your stoic apologies, if you’re not teaching the youth about the violent acts of your ancestors, were you ever really ‘sorry’?) or defend China and its government during Tibetan protests (I’m sorry, but if you’re British, you are NOT allowed to protest ANY human rights atrocities for at least the next 200 years… when was the last British colony to gain its independence?  What the fuck did you do to India and Pakistan?  Um… South Africa anyone?).  I think in most cases, I’m a fairly rational person.  But even having spent only 1/5 of my life in China, I’m still wrapped up in Chinese pride.  I don’t mind being teased about being communist and love talking about the long term economic developments that the U.S. couldn’t mimic with its system of 4 year presidential terms (not good, not bad, just a point).

I think it’s the constant teasing and discrimination I felt for being Chinese and an immigrant and not speaking English good that makes me so very Chinese.  Sure, everyone thinks I’m an ABC (American Born Chinese) now, when I have perfect pronunciation and know how to hide my Chinese-ness.  But if you look hard enough, it’s still there.

This year is the year of the Rat, my zodiac year.  I’m wearing red underwear the whole year (Victoria Freaking Secret made so much money off me).  I still call my parents almost every day, even though I’m 24.  My favorite snack is stewed (is that the right word?) duck’s feet and wings.  I love shopping at Chinese supermarkets because I know what cong is but until 2 years ago didn’t know it’s called green onions in English.  Also, it’s like 3 times cheaper to shop there.  I still get deeply offended when people say they’re going to cook Chinese food… sweetie, microwaving egg rolls and whipping up some cabbage to make moo shoo is not Chinese food… not really.

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Point is… I’m so excited about the opening ceremonies this Friday.  I’m Chinese.  I’ll be rooting for them.  You can call me FOB (fresh off the boat) cuz I am and I’m damn proud.

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P.S.  I’m not trying to downplay human rights or Tibet or media censorship in China.  It’s population is over 1 billion people.  The government’s going to fuck it up… a lot… a whole lot… like more than you’ll think is possible.  But they usually don’t get media attention for all they’re getting right.  They’ve chosen a slow economic policy with strict exchange rates to control inflation, the middle class in China is flourishing and the government’s built alliances with a whole list of nations- probably more than the U.S. has allies at this point.

My other point comes from one of my favorite quotes: “How you stand depends on where you sit.”  So let’s sit on my/the Chinese side for a moment. Rationally, it only makes sense to boycott the Beijing Olympics, if you also believe in boycotting all U.S. goods.  The Chinese may have maltreated Tibetans, but the U.S. invaded a sovereign nation, which is comparatively much worse.  Generalizing in terms of nations and not individuals, it’s so hypocritical for Western nations to pick when the U.S. war in Afghanistan and Iraq, it’s foreign policy with Turkey and how a handful of ibankers/bondsmen fucked Argentina are all completely looked over.  Not 100 years ago, most Western nations were still empires, i.e. owned territories and people in third world countries.  The lack of memory and self righteousness just constantly astounds me.  You may disagree with me, but based on all the facts and arguments above, I believe I’ve made a solide case.