Enough Tears to Go Around
May 20, 2008 by chunzhu
Just got back from a little trip to Guangdong, but my sister is coming today for a 10 day visit, so I won’t have much time to write anything since I’ll be her tour guide and translator around Beijing.
So let me ramble for a bit about nothing before I go meet her at that big new airport.
There’s been a lot of stories of heroics around the Sichuan area. You know, soldiers saving lives, miracles of children led by their teachers walking a thousand miles to safety, teachers sacrificing their lives to save some kids… it’s really moving and my girlfriend has been crying in front of the TV for three days now. But to say that all of China is united by this tragedy would not necessarily be true.
When I was in Guangdong, I went to eat dinner with a bunch of my old students. Now these kids are the sons of newly rich businessmen and are all fairly ‘uncultured’. So while we were eating, they began to talk about the earthquake. But they were focusing on all these little things. Like they were arguing about who donated more money as if the 10 RMB that they gave would help so much more than the 5 RMB that another kid gave. There were talking about how the American scientists knew about the earthquake but didn’t tell China about it. They talked about how many high ranked multi-starred generals showed up to help in Sichuan. And they talked about how hot Sichuan University girls who were taking a shower ran outside naked during the earthquake.
Now all this was said in the privacy of a little room among friends. They have long considered me to be one of them and the only difference between us is my heavily accented Mandarin (though my Cantonese is better than theirs since they’re all from other provinces). Out in public, they probably would have acted more appropriately since they have at least that much consciousness.
Which would be pretty different than the peasants I was riding on the train with on the way back to Beijing. During the moment of silence that we were supposed to observe, they were talking and laughing and eating, much to the dismay of the more civilized folk around them. Some of them were still playing cards and not even standing up.
What I saw was real, though I hope they don’t represent the majority. The apathy of these people were real, just as real as the sorrow of those who lost their friends and families.
My immediate reaction was disgust. I sat there glaring at my students while they laughed and joked about the earthquake. I tried to nudge the lady who was eating her watermelon seeds into standing up. But now that I think about it, there’s nothing wrong with any of this.
Why should they be forced to express their sadness when they don’t feel it? Why should they act like they care when they don’t? If they don’t have any tears to shed for those who died, then they shouldn’t have to force it out. It’s a waste of time and effort. Enough tears will be shed by those who do care so that those who don’t can go on with their lives.
Alright, times up. There won’t be many posts this week and once again, if your comment doesn’t show up, give it some time.
Hi (What is your English name though?) Chunzhu (This is kinda weird to call.. )
The truth is that no commiseration has been taught by teachers in the schools and I truly believe this is a cultural thing. It is also a common sentiment for all the human beings. It can be shameful for some of your old students, but I am so proud of my whole country in front of this catastrophic battle of the earthquake. The majority is DOING WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO THROUGH THEIR CONSCIENCE. At this point, I don’t really want to judge anyone. I don’t want to argue anything about the “patriotic” spirit right now. I love my country as of loving myself. Come on, China!!
I just keep thinking about the homeless people because of this tragedy. What can the government of China do to help that many people? I think there are 5 million homeless now. I keep wondering how they can even survive without a good place to sleep, fresh water, food….
My other thoughts go to religion. In the USA, when something like this happens, the churches help take care of the victims. They provide food and shelter. But also, they provide emotional support for the grieving people. I understand China’s history with religions that had a bad influence, but most religions can help the people in many ways.
As for the young men who were joking about the earthquake….I think people grieve in different ways. These young men might still be in denial about the extent of suffering and damage done. If they were to spend some time helping the victims or helping rescue workers, I think their attitude would quickly change.
By the way, I would like to see some photos…do you have any on this blog?
@Silu - Well, if you don’t want to call me Chunzhu, I’m fine with ‘Stupid Pig’. Or ‘hey dude’ would suffice.
As for what’s happening in China, I personally think that most people care and are trying to find ways to help. There has been a lot of self-criticism by the Chinese people themselves, especially starting with Lu Xun, about how they don’t care about each other. Like many of my co-workers and friends all say that Chinese people only care about money these days and blame it all on the lack of religion or stuff like that. Even all that nationalism and anti-foreign sentiment doesn’t prove that Chinese people love their country, only that they like to hate people who hate on them.
However, I think for the most part, though the few people I mentioned in this entry are possible exceptions, truly feel and care and want to help others that they have never met before. In my opinion, this expression of simple compassion shows that they are just as ‘human’ as any other people in this world.
@ Delirious - Glad to see more comments from you, sorry it took me so long to approve your posts (haven’t been in front of a computer for a while).
I think in the recent past, the Chinese people have always depended on family connections or the government for aid. In time sof small crisis, family can take care of it and in terms of large disasters, the government will step in. So in this case, I’m pretty sure most of the work will be done by the government with some augmentation by NGOs.
I do have pictures… but I’ve been too lazy to upload them. Maybe someday I’ll do it.