A reprint of my earlier blog entry, on thoughts related to the divisions among Chinese people. Posting here can encourage more discussions and comments.Main Article
Often we speak of the Chinese people as a pot of loose sand, to indicate the constant conflict and fighting among subgroups of Chinese people, in all of history. Even in the US, when faced with the common obstacle of survival in a strange new land, they cannot unite together within Chinatown to gain a councilman seat, but rather that each subgroup present a candidate, only to both lose to a third party.
Perhaps this is to be expected. Simply labeling all Chinese American as a group is most simplistic, since there are so many different subgroups, due to their regional, education and economic background, their history in the US, etc. In fact, precisely because they are all in Chinatown, that different groups want to voice their individuality and distinction. But even in Westchester, at work, we see that the people from China always associate together, apart from the Taiwanese. To see interactions among the two, you will have to find a company with so few Chinese that there is no more picking and choosing. Only in the case of business, (such as buying a house), that a Taiwanese agent would appear as endearing as one from China.
Often our adversaries are not those in far-away land, but those closest to us, because we as ego-centric human beings will find those closest to us (e.g. our spouses, family members, neighbors) to differ in opinions from us, naturally because we interact most often and hence have the most number of possible disagreements.
So how is democracy and social unity possible in the US? Perhaps it is precisely the fact that US welcomes immigrants from all over the world, that people of all backgrounds are faced with living together, and hence, acknowledging their differences, rather than their commonality, that people learn to be respectful and courteous, and think highly of other groups by default, that a social discussion is possible at all.
Perhaps then a successful way of uniting Chinese Americans or Asian Americans is not solely emphasizing our common trait, but more importantly to recognize the different subgroups, and allow difference in opinion to interact with respect and civility. In essence, truly learn about democracy.
Aside:
Democracy is not about having enough majority to force the minority into submission, but finding a common ground that all participants feel victory.
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