Witchhunt
guest commentary
By: Scott Savitt
Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: Columns
Last update: 4/28/08 at 8:27 AM EST
Last update: 4/28/08 at 8:27 AM EST
On April Fool's Day, The Chronicle ran a spoof headline: "China Invades Duke, SAT Scores Rise." Now, I like a good joke as well as the next guy, but this headline made me nervous. I will explain why.
After graduating from Duke in 1985, I returned to China where I had studied abroad and lived and worked as a journalist there for the next 18 years. I covered the events in Tiananmen Square in 1989 and did not return to the U.S. until I was finally put in jail for 30 days for my unwelcome reporting and then was expelled. So I know something about Chinese sensitivities.
Following the tragic events in 1989, in which I witnessed dozens of people shot and corpses in hospitals (I have photographic evidence) and in which the Chinese Red Cross told me 2,000 people had died before the Chinese military took over the hospitals and no more death figures were released, the Chinese government redoubled their efforts to inculcate a patriotic education in young Chinese, so that no large-scale movement like that led by the students of 1989 would repeat itself.
Throughout their education all Chinese are relentlessly reminded of China's "Guo Chi" [national humiliation]-almost two centuries of occupation, invasion, and colonization by foreign powers including the U.S.-that turned China into "the sick man of Asia" and only ended with the victory of Chairman Mao Zedong's Revolution in 1949, the founding of the Peoples Republic of China, and the expulsion of all foreigners from China. China had finally, in the words of Mao, "Stood up," and would not be bullied by foreigners anymore. This powerful resentment against China's former colonizers is never far below the surface of every Chinese person I know. It is understandable, although I believe that the Chinese government has cynically manipulated the patriotism of this young generation to deflect criticism from their own failed policies in Tibet, on the environment, even in the planning of this present Olympics torch relay, and onto foreign countries and their "biased" media who are trying to harm, weaken and divide China just like they did beginning two centuries ago.
After graduating from Duke in 1985, I returned to China where I had studied abroad and lived and worked as a journalist there for the next 18 years. I covered the events in Tiananmen Square in 1989 and did not return to the U.S. until I was finally put in jail for 30 days for my unwelcome reporting and then was expelled. So I know something about Chinese sensitivities.
Following the tragic events in 1989, in which I witnessed dozens of people shot and corpses in hospitals (I have photographic evidence) and in which the Chinese Red Cross told me 2,000 people had died before the Chinese military took over the hospitals and no more death figures were released, the Chinese government redoubled their efforts to inculcate a patriotic education in young Chinese, so that no large-scale movement like that led by the students of 1989 would repeat itself.
Throughout their education all Chinese are relentlessly reminded of China's "Guo Chi" [national humiliation]-almost two centuries of occupation, invasion, and colonization by foreign powers including the U.S.-that turned China into "the sick man of Asia" and only ended with the victory of Chairman Mao Zedong's Revolution in 1949, the founding of the Peoples Republic of China, and the expulsion of all foreigners from China. China had finally, in the words of Mao, "Stood up," and would not be bullied by foreigners anymore. This powerful resentment against China's former colonizers is never far below the surface of every Chinese person I know. It is understandable, although I believe that the Chinese government has cynically manipulated the patriotism of this young generation to deflect criticism from their own failed policies in Tibet, on the environment, even in the planning of this present Olympics torch relay, and onto foreign countries and their "biased" media who are trying to harm, weaken and divide China just like they did beginning two centuries ago.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 636
chinese American Student
posted 4/28/08 @ 10:44 AM EST
I was educated in a Chinese elementary school before my family had a chance to escape to freedom. I can confirm what Scott said about renewed indoctrination post Tiananmen Square. (Continued…)
another Chinese-American
posted 4/28/08 @ 11:05 AM EST
There is a Chinese saying that roughly means "when you settle in a new village you adopt the customs of that village." These Chinese graduate students are in America and they have an obligation to adhere to our customs. (Continued…)
Taiwanese-American
posted 4/28/08 @ 11:10 AM EST
The Chinese grad students have proved that they are thugs, just like their government. I fear for the Asian democracies which have to put up with the Chinese. (Continued…)
Chinese student
posted 4/28/08 @ 1:12 PM EST
Dear Scott,
I think your article is very well written. But I want to make one point, do you think nationalism is something which will disserve China? According to my understanding, South Korea people exhibit the utmost nationalism. (Continued…)
chinese grad student in chemistry
posted 4/28/08 @ 1:55 PM EST
Mr. Savitt has painted a very realistic picture of the system of indoctrination in my country. It is a chilling system which is producing so many brainwashed people. (Continued…)
duke class of 2008
posted 4/28/08 @ 2:11 PM EST
Scott made a great point that these Chinese "patriots" are just guests here. They need to behave themselves according to the rules of American society (which includes freedom of speech). (Continued…)
pratt school of engineering class of 09
posted 4/28/08 @ 2:15 PM EST
Shame on the so-called Chinese students and scholars. They are incapable of holding a civilized discussion on anything. On April 9th they pretty much shouted down the pro Tibet demonstrators. (Continued…)
peace and quiet, please
posted 4/28/08 @ 2:23 PM EST
Scott,
i agree with much of what you say, but your methods of befriending Grace and using her for your own development as a journalist are questionable, your writing sub-par for a professional. (Continued…)
This article SUCKS!
posted 4/28/08 @ 3:18 PM EST
1. What is the definition of nationalism? How does it defer from patriotism? Why is the same sentiment labeled patriotism for Americans, but nationalism for the Chinese? And do you know who are the real chinese nationalists? It's the "Chinese Nationalists", aka KMT, aka the ruling party of Taiwan, aka the majority in the parliament of Taiwan, aka the bunch of "goons and thugs" who were supported by the US for decades, and got thrown out of power by the commies! Talking about "Chinese nationalism". (Continued…)
Chinese
posted 4/28/08 @ 3:21 PM EST
Scott,
Thank you for another masterpiece. I echo most of what you said in this column. In my opinion, it is the motive behind the words are questionable. (Continued…)
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