I have noticed a recent trend in the publicizing of boycotts in China. This has happened to major chain stores, news media, dance parties and now… movie stars. What disturbs me is that instead of boycotts been a personal choice and belief, it has been politicized to the point of propaganda and used as an excuse for violence and congregating mob mentality.
It seems to me that in the mind of these people, the best way to ‘scare’ those who do not agree with them is the threat that the whole Chinese community will not buy their product. And rather then letting the people themselves chose their own opinion; they will use force, barricades and heckling to ensure that their opinions matter over others. Any who dared ‘oppose’ their views on boycotts were dubbed unpatriotic, traitorous, and an enemy to the Chinese people and were attacked verbally and physically.
Further more, this culture has led to the glamorisation of companies denouncing certain products, using the publicizing of these denouncing to further politicize their company image. Yet the mob do not see this simple fact that they are been used and led, and join in with violent protests and threats in this maelstrom of the perfect human storm. Are the acceptance of propaganda so ingrained into our system that we fail to see the very equality which we seek and fight for with the western world, are the first ones we trample and discard at the first sign of these disagreeable opinions? Are we such a primitive people that we must resort to violence and name calling when faced with the harsh reality of human opinion, then scream oppression and racism when the other side does the same.
The best demonstration against the Free-Tibet movement I have seen so far, came with out violence, with out shouting or shoving, it came with the acknowledgement of rights of others, as well as demonstrating their point. When I say their silence was deafening I mean it literally. In Germany (correct me if I got the country wrong) around 100 students stood in the middle of a square holding up signs of their belief, with scarves and covers over their mouth stood in defiance and belief. This almost over whelmed me with pride for the country I call my own, and for once in this dark period filled me with tears and hope that China will rise above. Not with violence, cursing and screaming, but with dignity, pride and intelligence.
Alas, somethings are too much to hope for in this world filled with the idea that “might is right”. But these small beacons of light, like stars spread against the blackest night bring hope and solace, my only wish is the day when these stars fill the sky and turn night into day.
I leave you with these thoughts.
We have a culture that survived longer than any western culture, yet we’re the first ones willing to throw them away to peruse those perceived as ‘better’.
We are a race of people who pride ourselves on intelligence, pride and dignity, yet we’re the first to lower our standards in ourselves for gain.
We teach our children stories of being the bigger person, fables to in-still virtue, yet we’re more riddled with corruption then those we look down upon.
We have an rising economy strong enough to rival those of the ‘big boys’, yet we undermine our own by producing faulty goods that kill, not just through exports, but distribute internally as well.
China is a sleeping giant who will rise… but unfortunately s/he is not yet ready…
