Becoming a Fan -- of a Communist?
Yes, yes. A few years ago I jokingly said told my mom I wanted to join the Communist Party. That was then, a time when I really didn’t know my way around in the world. My idealist nature thought the same as those in the past: Communism looks good on paper. But, I’ve come to realize that the written word doesn’t quite take into account human nature, primarily GREED.
But those thoughts of mine aren’t why I’m writing this post. I’m writing because of Facebook, “strawberry people” and pop-culture. And Communism.
A friend of mine recently became a supporter of 溫家寶/Wen Jia-bao, the leader of the Communist Party in China. Now, this friend is a smart guy, well-read, a real thinker. So, I wondered, why would he be a supporter of Chairman Wen? So I asked. His reason: “There’s no reason, frankly - that I can support him on Facebook is kind of reason enough.”
At first, I was like, “Hey, sure its your call.” But then I started to think a little more. Are the 50,ooo+ “supporters” on Facebook supporting the man, or the political philosophy? Not even 50 years ago, the witch-hunts were on in the US because Communism was going to take democracy over. Now, the world is so “global” that the grass really is greener on the other side.
The Taiwanese call 20-somethings “strawberry people.” They’re sweet and juicy, beautiful to look at. But, if you touch them too hard, or push them too far, they squish. Hence, they’re strawberries. (Why? Taiwan’s economy’s been good, there hasn’t been a war in a good many years, and life is good.) I think the people in my generation are the same, just we’re not called Strawberries, we’re OPTIMISTIC and OPENMINDED.
So, back to Communism. Are people from a democratic background supporting this communist leader because they don’t know or don’t care of the implications of Communism? Are they thinking, “hey…China houses the largest population in the world. Communism works for all those people, it can’t be so bad. Communism is cool, and it makes a great logo for my overpriced T-shirt, too.”
There has been talk about China’s rise. China’s power. China’s possible overtaking of the free world. YES, of the FREE WORLD. China is a communist country. If it “takes over,” it’s political philosophies will TAKE OVER others’, including democracy.
Do people not see that the country takes away it’s “comrade’s” ability to be aware of reality? Things just do not exist in that country. Events just did not happen there. I’m thinking about Tinnament (misspelled on purpose) Square. I’m thinking about the earthquake a few years back that the government denied occurring. I’m thinking about the tv interview with the Dalee Llama recently that had parts blacked out on Chinese TV.
This morning my mom said that it might not be so bad to live in “Alzeihmer’s land,” the place you go when you don’t remember the past and are unaware of the present. You don’t think and that neutrality is pleasant. Ignorance is bliss. I don’t know. I think I’d rather be aware of the world and it’s happenings without a communist or military filter.
President Bush doesn’t read the newspaper and look where the country has gone — to shit. Unemployment is up, housing is a bust…and his policies are exactly the same.
Amidst my rambling, I mean to say: I do not support Chairman Wen. Chairman Wen represents Communism and not democracy. I do not support Communism. That said, I’m also pondering the rise in Muslim beliefs and philosophies coming into other “western” political philosophies — but that’s for another day.
But my real point is: People are not thinking. Taiwan’s unofficial motto is: Welcome to Taiwan, Now stop thinking.” People on facebook are not thinking: they are hoping some cool logo on their page will make their friends laugh or joke. But this isn’t funny. Your “supporting” means something to someone and might be used against you.
Don’t support something unless you really support it. Please? (Oh, I’m just remded of how we used to call people in high school “sheep” — they quietly walked the halls, not thinking, just following the person behind. Is that what my generation has turned into? Sheep? Oh, I do hope not.)
Labels: china, communism, facebook, PRC, sheep, strawberry-people
effort to deny those visitors — and its own people — the most basic freedoms. Last week, an I.O.C. official said he is convinced the Games would be a “force for good” in China. The committee and Western governments need to remind Beijing that the world is watching, and so far the picture isn’t good.
People are eating a half pound of meat every day? Wow. I guess I might have eaten about that when I was growing up, and sustaining myself in college. But…a half pound?
driving to the hypermarket where aisles of items shipped from afar lay waiting. They’re growing their own produce.
Shoes stifle creativity, I have always said. Taking off my shoes was always the first thing I did when getting off my middle and high school buses. The walk home was a mix of asphalt, cement, fallen acorns, drying seeds, piled leaves, and plush grass…and the changing temperatures and textures told me where I was, and how much longer I had until reaching home. I loved every minute of it. Still, when I return to my parent’s home, I take the dog out in my bare feet.
already demobilizing. (The dog here was taking himself on a little walk and swim while we were playing tennis…its too bad i couldn’t jump in the water with him!)
students. i start preparing to teach next monday (going to see the San Chong school and meet with the new private students…not teaching yet, not until the work permit arrives). the onother good phone call came in today from ivy who is just awesome. she reminds me of how to have fun teaching english — today’s super project idea is finger puppet stories.