China: Diasporic Identity Based Obsession or Obsession Founded on Divergent Views - Term Paper Example

 China 1 China: Diasporic Identity Based Obsession or Obsession Founded on Divergent Views Are the effects of a diasporic reality to blame for the apparent obsession of Chinese citizens living abroad who long to return to a reformed China? This thought has baffled many a theorist, as China enchants all who come in close proximity to her charms. Is it their love for the diversity of the food? The healing properties of herbal medicine and acupuncture as mastered by Chinese physicians have truly increased foreigners love for all things Chinese, as it appears that there is nothing that can not be accomplished in China. However, China has been a place where widespread human rights violations have tormented its citizens for decades; yet, their love for China has endured. Chinese authors have bared their souls through printed text that clearly displays divergent views about what it is about China that makes it citizens so resilient, yet willing to submit to a status quo element that maintains the continuity of the good and bad sides of Chinese society. C.T. Hsia has made strong assertions in the article, “Obsession with China: The Moral Burden of Modern Chinese Literature”. To truly understand Hsia’s views, it is essential that we carefully analyze key excerpts of the article. Note the following: China 2 “What distinguishes the “modern” phase of Chinese literature from the traditional phase is rather its burden of moral contemplation: its obsessive concern with China as a nation afflicted with a spiritual disease and therefore unable to strengthen itself or change its set ways of inhumanity.” Hsia, "Obsession with China: The Moral Burden of Modern Chinese Literature," (article excerpt) Chinese citizens operating from a diasporic identity clearly feel it is their duty to articulate the horrors that occur in china concerning oppression of and human rights abuses against Chinese citizens. Theoretically, where traditional Chinese literature required and in many cases demanded compliance from Chinese authors in representing China as the government would have the world see it instead of how it was operating in reality, Chinese citizens in the diaspora are articulating chilling excerpts of life under oppressive regimes. Surprisingly, the proponents of traditional Chinese literature represented the lower social classes in many cases. Modern authors of Chinese literature are working feverishly to bring the lower classes to the realization that they must voice their displeasure about human rights abuses that affect them and if these atrocities do not affect them, the modern authors are sparing no expense to change that reality, as the lower class citizens will have to be enlisted in any successful movement that is geared toward spearheading change in China in order to improve the living conditions of all Chinese citizens in addition to facilitating an environment where Chinese citizens in the diaspora will be welcome once again in China. Here is an example of how modern Chinese authors articulate the harsh realities of a China being divided by harsh rule and divergent forces: China 3 she flies north t Peking, surrounded by the Communists. She is the only passenger on a one-way plane. She left her home at Nanking, because she was afraid of being arrested by the Nationalist government, which was still in power in the South of China, for her connection with some young people suspected of being Communist. In addition, she could not bear living at home: her brother had run away to the Communist-occupied area, her father had committed suicide; her mother is still having an affair with the family butler. In besieged Peking, she stays with the Shens, an old, traditional family in decay. The Communists have taken most of the country. Nieh, “Mulberry and Peach”, Page 66 These are truly gut wrenching horror stories that really paint a vivid picture of the trials and tribulations endured by the citizens of China. This particular scenario occurred in an environment that was in place almost 60 years ago. The effects of that era are still being felt today, as we are just three generations (20year generational cycles) removed from that era. Also, we must recognize the modern Chinese author’s attempts to make the leaders of China undergo a phase of self analysis through psychological acknowledgement of the inhumane treatment of Chinese citizens. The modern author’s clearly want the Chinese leadership to use the psychological acknowledgement as a catalyst for the moral contemplation that Hsia mentions in addition to being cognizant that a spiritual rebirth is needed in order to serve the citizens of China’s best interest. China 4 Now let’s address another excerpt from Hsia’s article: “this obsession does not merely register alarm over the government’s failure to cope with internal turmoil and foreign aggression: the shame that has been visited upon China also reflects its moral bankruptcy, its callous unconcern with human dignity and human suffering, irrespective of its power position in the world.” Hsia, "Obsession with China: The Moral Burden of Modern Chinese Literature," (article excerpt) While there is no refuting the fact that their have been countless human rights atrocities committed at the behest of Chinese officials, there is also no refuting that China is a fountain of wisdom that is respected as such by leaders, philosophers and intellectuals representing nations from every corner of the earth. This fact is a major reason that human right abuses continue in China. When human rights abuses are reconciled with the good China has to offer, the citizens of China will rather endure the present rather than embark on an unknown course that may send China on a downward spiral in regards to the traits that has made Chinese culture one of the most respected cultures in the world. This culture includes the major strides China has made in the medical profession in addition to literature, strategy and now economics. China 5 It is also important that we address the feelings of Chinese citizens who operate from and within a diasporic identity, as this is one of the best ways to assess what is wrong with China. Here is an example of life for Chinese in the diaspora: “Haha sat by the window looking out at the street. The leisured ladies of London were taking the air, their complacent faces redolent with the pomp and grandeur of British culture. This took her back to the streets of her childhood, to the revolutionary grannies of Peking who seemed to find themselves and their society more radiant than the sun.” Liu,”Chaos and all That”, Page 10 This example clearly represents the longing of Chinese citizens who wish to experience the joy of the life they used to know in China. Please note the following: London. Peking. Classical sculpture. Opera. Nationality. Peking Man. Anna Karenina. Wang Baochuan. The criteria for making judgments that had been drummed into her from infancy were no use at all when she actually had to make up her mind about anything. Those criteria were all about victory and defeat, right and wrong. Everything she did was in competition with the people of London. Liu,”Chaos and all That”, Page 10 China 6 While Chinese citizens in the diaspora appear to have the freedom they have always sought, it is clear that this freedom has come with a steep price, as they have had to sacrifice everything they love. Imagine being in a situation where freedom demands that you reprogram your long held beliefs and way of life. These examples clearly detail the divergent effects of Chinese culture on its citizens. The diasporic identity of Chinese citizens abroad has facilitated the paradigm shift in modern Chinese literature, as their pain and suffering demanded the honesty and good intentions of Chinese authors who would work towards change concerning the treatment of Chinese citizens in China and the diaspora. It is essential that we acknowledge from the examples of the diasporic identity of Chinese citizens living abroad that they must come to a conclusion that they must become comfortable with their new reality and home in order to enlist aid in their fight against oppression in their former homeland. Fighting against the culture of their new home only facilitates an environment where they work against themselves by making enemies out of the citizens that have welcomed them into their country in stark contrast to a Chinese government that has shunned and banned them from Chinese society. While modern Chinese literature articulates the diasporic identity of Chinese citizens living abroad that has them longing for their former homeland, their mission and intent will be stifled until they successfully balance the articulation of pain with an acknowledgement of reality concerning their need to embrace their new home and the citizens that would assist them in making a change for the better in China. China 7 This analysis is proven by the following argument made in Hsia’s article: “Every important modern Chinese writer is obsessed with China and spares no pains to depict its squalor and corruption whereas every modern writer of England, America, France, and Germany automatically identifies the sick states of his country with the state of man in the modern world, the Chinese writer sees the condition of China as peculiarly Chinese and not applicable elsewhere. He shares with the modern Western writer a vision of disgust if not despair, but since his vision does not extend beyond China; at the same time he leaves the door open for hope, for the importation of modern Western or Soviet ideas and systems that would transform his country from its present states of decadence. If he has the courage or insight to equate the Chinese scene with the condition of modern man, he would have been in the main stream of modern literature.” Hsia, "Obsession with China: The Moral Burden of Modern Chinese Literature," (article excerpt) As you can see, Hsia’s article clearly focuses on modern Chinese author’s tendencies of dwelling on the past and current state of China instead of focusing on solutions to China’s societal problems. These authors also appear to concede that there will be no change in China’s problems without Western and or Soviet assistance of a theoretical nature at the least. While this appears to be what I suggested in regards to Chinese citizens in the diaspora, their alliance with those who China 8 would help them must be secondary to a reality where Chinese citizens in China and the diaspora understand that they themselves must recognize the fact that China must expand the breadth and scope of its responsibilities to the international community. A paradigm shift of this nature would provide limitless possibilities to Chinese society. This type of initiative would also reduce the following example of extreme poverty that is a direct result of unbalanced sharing of wealth in China: “Each family had so little living space that the water had to be stored in small vats in the communal kitchen, and that was never enough for anyone. The men and boys normally bathed in the river, unless they were too lazy to go down the mountain; then they’d wash on the courtyard steps, using a basin of water, dressed only in underpants.” Ying, “Daughter of the River” Page15 The diasporic identity of Chinese citizens living abroad has altered the beliefs of those who are in love with the good of Chinese culture and society. China has much to be proud of in this respect; however, China also has much to be ashamed of concerning the continued existence of human rights abuses against its citizens. Modern Chinese authors of 20th century Chinese literature has articulated these human rights abuses in addition to the growing pains associated with living the homeland they have and still cherish. While these Chinese authors have been successful at articulating what is wrong with China, their cause is limited concerning change in China due to the fact that they have attempted to fight the problems in Chinese society alone instead of making friends with citizens of the nations that have embraced them. China 9 Works Cited Hsia, C.T., “Obsession with China: The Moral Burden of Modern Chinese Literature,” Appendix I of “A History of Modern Chinese Fiction”, 2nd ed. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1971) 536 Nieh, Hualing., “Mulberry and Peach” The Women’s Press, Ltd. [USA] 1988 Sola, Liu., “Chaos and all That” Breakthrough Publications [Hong Kong] 1991 Xingjian, Gao., “Soul Mountain” HarperCollins Publishers Pty. Limited [Australia] 2000 Ying, Hong., “Daughter of the River” Grove Press [New York] 1997 Read More