Aw, yeah... he's back. This pleases me. I haven't even read your post yet... this is a pre-read-your-post comment.

lol jamie, i thought the chicken thing was funny, a certain emily did not, as i do recall... but .. i thought it was pretty dang hilarious. lol.

good to c ya writing again! --stephen

You forgot to mention the part of how my dad was almost murdered by this 'certain emily'.. with the bow and arrow. that was almost the best part. :o --Stephen

Yeah, if I had shot your dad with a bow and arrow then I would understand the hoopla. Oh well, at least we can look back at it all and laugh.

Wait a minute, you did hear the story about my dad almost gettin shot in the chest by emily right? lol. not you!

--stephen

How long have you been in China, and you are telling people to go to a "Minority Cultural Village Park" to dance with minorities and drink out of cocounts? I think you have a responsibility as someone educated on racial equality to avoid encouraging people to participate in one of China's least subtle forms of racism. If you don't know what I'm talking about, please read the following article for example.

China's Minorities Get Huge Affirmative-Action Benefits

Rena Singer

Knight-Ridder Newspapers

BEIJING - His hair is a wavy dark chocolate, not black. His first language is Uighur, not Chinese. His religion is Islam, not Buddhism.

That's why 14-year-old Ya has it made.

He will be able to get into one of China's best colleges with merely average grades, win a special scholarship to pay for it, have an easier time getting a job when he graduates and have more than one child after he gets married.

Ya is the beneficiary of Chinese-style affirmative action.

As an ethnic Uighur (pronounced WEE-gur), one of China's many "ethnic-minority nationalities," Ya is eligible for comprehensive "privileges" designed to help minorities attain a piece of China's prosperity pie.

Still, Ya is not optimistic.

"All of these privileges are just for effect," he said bitterly. "We still have no power."

His disillusionment reflects the problems China faces as it tries to address inequity and racism. Though Americans tend to see China as a sea of homogeneous black-haired people, the country is fairly diverse.

China is dominated by the Han Chinese. They make up 91 percent of the population, and they have ruled the country - with a few interruptions - for centuries. Mao Tse-tung, Deng Xiaoping, the actress Gong Li, the sage Confucius and pretty much any other Chinese person most Americans have ever heard of are Han.

55 minority nationalities

The Han are generally richer, better educated and live longer than the 55 minority nationalities, which are a mixture of exotic hill tribes, conquered kingdoms and immigrants.

Although those minorities make up only 9 percent of China's people, they have a disproportionate importance: They inhabit about 60 percent of China's land mass - particularly concentrated in China's north and west border areas rich in natural resources such as oil and timber.

For that reason, the government has sought to win their allegiance with a dizzying array of preferential policies.

"This issue is very, very crucial to the Chinese government," said Colby College professor Suisheng Zhao. "They are afraid of a rebellion. They need stability."

Policy not inclusive

But just as in the United States, China's affirmative-action policy is controversial, divisive and, some argue, unsuccessful.

It is also, to Western eyes, flawed. That is because the policy is not based on any philosophy of equality, or any desire to "celebrate differences."

Instead, the Chinese people, for the most part, remain completely at ease with racial stereotypes. Affirmative action here does not mean re-evaluating the Han belief that all minorities are "backward, primitive barbarians" who need the help of their "Han older brothers" - to quote some cliches.

China's policy is purely pragmatic. The idea is to give the minorities just enough power, education or economic success to keep them quiet. As opposed to empowering minorities, it is meant to encourage assimilation and the creation of a peaceful, unified and essentially Han country.

Indeed, treatment of minorities in the popular press, and for example, the creation of a "minority theme park" - a sideshow-like museum in Beijing, where curious Han can have their pictures taken with minorities like Ya - make continued Han chauvinism painfully apparent.

Policy is far-reaching

Nevertheless, Chinese-style affirmative action is comprehensive and so far-reaching that America's similar policies appear trifling by comparison:

-- There are free elementary, middle and high-school-level boarding schools and special college-preparatory classes for minority children.

-- Minority children can get into a university with exam scores 20 to 30 points below the minimum score for Han children.

-- A separate network of segregated universities exists only for minority students.

-- Though most Han in urban areas are limited to one child per family, minority families can have two, and in rural areas many are legally allowed three. In practice, many minority families simply have as many children as they want.

-- No-interest loans are offered for small minority businesses.

-- Businesses are officially encouraged to hire minorities.

-- A comprehensive, bilingual-education program aims at helping minorities learn Chinese. Meanwhile, scholars are creating alphabets for minority languages that had no writing systems to help ensure that these languages do not die.

Autonomous governments

In areas where many minority people live, special "autonomous" governments at the provincial, county and village level try to give minorities more control over their own affairs. A certain percentage of government officials in those areas are required to come from minority populations.

In the Hui autonomous region in central China, for example, each government department must be at least 30 percent Hui (a Muslim minority), because the local population is just over 30 percent Hui. The governor is always Hui, and at least two of the five vice governors and all department directors must be Hui.

No tax money collected in these autonomous areas has to be sent to Beijing - it can all be invested locally.

Reading the Chinese press, you'd think the government had succeeded in winning the minorities' favor.

"People of all nationalities are now living and working in peace and contentment, and their living standards are constantly improving," an article in July's Beijing Review declared. "All nationalities live in harmony and are as close as brothers."

The real picture is far more complex.

Minority relations strained

Though minorities in many areas have benefited from affirmative action, and cross-cultural cooperation and intermarriage are up, minorities in general remain poorer than the Han. In some of China's border areas, particularly the north and west, relations between minorities and Han Chinese are strained.

In February, anti-Han-Chinese riots in Xinjiang, an autonomous region populated by Muslim minorities, left nine people dead.

On the Internet, you can find the surprisingly militant "Free Southern Mongolia!" home page - in English - with links to home pages for a free Tibet as well as a free East Turkestan (China's Xinjiang autonomous region).

These militant groups are relatively small. Far more common among minorities, however, is a pervasive resentment and suspicion.

"They (the Han) take all the natural resources and make a lot of money," said Ya, the 14-year-old Uighur. "The Han work at all the oil fields, they do all the logging. . . . We never see the money they (government officials) say they send to Xinjiang."

Ya and his family, who are from Xinjiang, say that despite the "autonomous" designation, the region is in fact controlled by the Han, who have all the connections to Beijing and other government leaders.

Minorities denied `real' access

Indeed, Chinese minorities still are denied "real" access to political power, said Dru Gladney, an expert on Chinese minorities and culture at the University of Hawaii and East-West Center.

Gladney points out that although the National People's Congress has heavy minority representation, the Chinese Communist Party, where the real power lies, is primarily Han. He said there is no first party secretary of any Chinese administrative region who is a minority.

Minority people also complain of continued Han racism - the undisguised and condescending belief that Han culture is naturally superior.

That is evident even in the government's Minority Affairs Commission. "The minorities suffer from backward education, culture and economy," explained Zhang Zhong Xiao, the director of Ningxia's religion bureau in the commission. "They are not so open-minded."

A feature story in Women of China magazine asked for patience with "developing" minorities. "It is understandable that . . . feudalist, slave and primitive society systems cannot disappear all at once."

Then there is the "Chinese Ethnic Culture Park" in Beijing. In what can only be described as a cross between Epcot Center and a zoo, Han Chinese pay to dress up in minority costumes and pose for photographs with real minorities trucked in from the hinterlands displayed "in their natural habitat" - i.e., bamboo huts or yak-hair tents.

The park's director of public relations, describing the minorities' song-and-dance performances, said although the displays were "not up to Chinese standards" many Han Chinese were curious about the "backward and primitive peoples."

Many Han are resentful

Meanwhile, many Han have come to resent the preferential treatment for the "ungrateful" minorities.

A Han-Chinese Ningxia government official, China's version of America's angry white man, complained of watching minorities with less experience and "less talent" leapfrog over him to better, more prestigious jobs because of their minority backgrounds.

"Of course it is frustrating," said the official, who asked not to be named. "I can't move up even though I am very qualified. Sometimes the Hui who are promoted aren't qualified at all, but I have to listen to their orders."

As in the United States, China has seen particularly vehement criticism of the policy that allows lower-scoring minority students into universities.

"Many people believe the privileges are bad because the minority students know they don't have to study so hard and they can get into university," said Liu Guo Qing, director of the Ningxia foreign-affairs office. "So they become lazy."

China needs areas

Nevertheless, the central government remains committed to a broad spectrum of preferential policies, said Zhao, the professor at Colby College.

China needs those resource-rich border areas and peace within its borders. So Communist Party leaders continue to pressure cadres in minority areas to satisfy minority demands however they can with the hope continued economic development in minority areas will quell any dissatisfaction and ultimately trickle down to fill minorities' pockets, Zhao said.

"The government is so worried," Zhao said. "They know these preferences don't work, but the party has no other option."

Sorry, I didn't take the time to read all of that because I really don't need to read it. If you had taken the time to read more than one post on this weblog you would be aware of my extensive work with Li/Miao minorities and you wouldn't post an article by second hand source from Knight Ridder that has not spent months of time with this people in remote areas. No I am not encouraging people to take part in subtle racism, and if you were perceptive at all you would understand that my redundant use of that phrase "Traditional Li/Miao Minority Cultural Village Park" was my subtle way of casting bad light on the powers that be making this a tourist attraction much like the Cherokee Indian Reservation in the US. My comment box is NOT your soapbox (in the words of John Pasden, however, I am sorry if you misunderstood this post.

Jamie

PS Post a link next time.

You noticed that I used a "secondhand source." I'm really glad you brought that up. You see, I can't really talk about my own experiences at a "minority park" because I've never been to one. I don't have to go to one of these zoos to sing and dance with a minority, since I'm married to one. I suppose if I asked him to, he might even dress up in traditional Hui lamb furs and let me take a picture with him.

Furthermore, I didn't misunderstand your post, though you're right, I didn't catch its "passive activism." It seemed the only people you intentionally cast in a bad light were those girls who gave an unwanted reaction to your killing a chicken witha tennis ball. I don't know if predjudice is as big a problem for the minorities of your "remote places" as it is for those trying to live in Chinese cities, even in their own autonomous regions, but apparently those issues aren't as critical to you as talking about how great you are at aiming tennis balls and dancing with a hula hoop. I have read plenty of your posts, I just don't know how many pages of them one would have to read through to find something substantial. Why do you quote John Pasden anyway? Because his Chinese isn't "rubbish"? Because he came to China to accomplish something? I know it upsets you to find a comment in your box that's not the usual halfhearted compliment, but come on, you're living in a foreign country now, maybe it's time to grow up.

Nothing you have said has upset me. Quite the opposite, I’m sorry that I upset you. I removed the offending paragraph after rereading it a couple of times. Even though it was written satirically, it does sound Philistine and I apologize. I have a special love for the Li and Miao peoples of Hainan. I certainly had no wish to perpetuate or tacitly encourage any racism or ignorance towards them. Their courage, ingenuity, love of life, and tenacity will be an inspiration to me the rest of my life. I went to Hainan solely as a volunteer to help better their situation, but instead I found myself enriched, enlightened, and humbled as a result of my time with these beautiful people.

As for your personal attacks, I’m sorry you have read this web log and found nothing substantial. I appreciate you searching through my writing looking. And it must have been disheartening when you reached the end of my web log and had still not found anything substantial. “Substantial” is often misused, but in your case, I’m sure you are using it correctly. If I could go back and replace the hours you spent combing through the entirety of my writing here, believe me I would.

I am heartened that after you spent all that time in vain, you took still more time out of you busy life to leave another comment. Perhaps you saw a glimmer of hope/genius in my favor when reading one of my earlier posts about my ear and nose hair and decided step in and do something. I am in your debt. However, if you decide I am, in fact, a lost cause, I’ll understand. You do not need to ever come back to this website again or post any more comments. I release you from that responsibility.

I am sorry you don’t like my inconsequential musings. You find my subject matter too flippant or well, unsubstantial. If you could send me a list of all the things you would like me to write about, I can tackle that in the months to come. When making out the list, please give detailed instructions regarding what tone you want me to take with the subject and how serious I should sound.

Also, in the future, please feel free to cut and paste, in my comment box, any other riveting articles, personal antidotes, song excerpts, favorite recipes, political slogans of any causes near to your heart. Sorry I haven’t taken the time to read the first article yet. As soon as I get the chance, I’ll be sure to go back, read, and reread it until I become a changed man. And if I have trouble grasping any of the contents, due to my lack of maturity, I’ll do my best to consult my better educated and more sensitive friends.

I also am impressed with your ability to gauge the attitude of the people who leave comments in my comment box. I am sure this analysis, as with all your comments, is dead on. All of them were being, as you put it, “half-hearted,” when they complimented me, which is why you are such a breath of fresh air. You are more perceptive than the average blog reader. First, you were able to detect cultural insensitive fervor in my writing in an ironic posting about killing a chicken with a tennis ball, and then you were able to ascertain the gusto and sincerity of my readers’ comments and compliments. Take the rest of the week off, you deserve it.

In regards to you asking your husband to dress in traditional Hui lamb furs, and take pictures, this matter does seems personal. I find my comment box a strange place to unearth whatever urges you may have. I don’t want to interfere. What you do behind closed doors is your business. However, given my well documented love of animals, I am glad it is a lamb and nothing has to die so you can have your fun. Also mentioning that your husband is a minority does in fact give you complete moral high ground and makes you an authority. I bow to that.

I’m also sorry I used John Pasden’s name in vain. His little comment box reminds people that his web log is not their soap box. I simply was doing the same, and you obviously have taken that to heart. But you are right, his Chinese is better than mine. He has come to China for all the right reasons. Despite being from Florida, he’s a nice guy. Having said that, I am still better with a hula hoop, and (just between you and me) there’s have been rumors that he’s a punchy drunk. Plus he just posted about a cartoon of the Kool- Aid man getting pushed, broken, spilled, and drank by children. For shame.

I do need to grow up. It has taken a mature, zealous, obviously sensitive, serious woman to make me wakeup and realize this. If there is anything else on my website you don’t like, please leave a comment in this box, and I’ll get right on it.

Lady, please do us all a favor and stop your moaning.

So you are married to a minority, whoopie! Good that you got that gem out there quick, instant respect! ;) I guess that gives you carte blanche to apply your shit reading comprehension skills to any and all blogs that focus on minority rights issues. Moreover, having COMPLETELY misunderstood the fairly obvious message of the post you feel the need to strike down the author with your mighty reasoning and a heaping teaspoon of condescension (I guess Jamie made an error when he assumed his readers could understand basic literary devices). Fair play!

However, you must realize that not every blogging expat living in China has the same overly-sensitive, guilt-ridden, faux-idealistic bullshit complex that seems to control your life. You see there are actually people out there who, in their blogs, don't feel the need to turn every post into a crusade against the evil nature of humanity. They choose instead to take an anecdote, tell a good story, and through their subtle talents, help shape what the reader takes away from the story. Sort of an informal thing for the enjoyment of their family and friends (and the occasional moaning bastard).

So my advice to you is to step out from underneath the rain cloud, attempt to carefully remove the hyperly-misguided-PC stick from the hole in which it is lodged, and for fuck's sake lighten up. If you can't manage to do that then simply fuck off.

One more thing, don't idolize John Pasden. I love my former roommate, but his motivation for being in China is in no way more honorable then what Jamie did for alot of people down in Hainan. Shame on you for your assumptions and shame on you for your better-than-thou witticism.

Oh man, this is hysterical...

I gotta read the comments on your blog more carefully from now, on, Jamie.

-John

I need to get a girlfriend.

I've never been fortunate enough to spend much time with any Chinese minorititties, so I can't speak to their level of development or whether their needs are being satisfied, or whether they are indeed backward (!) as is often claimed. I do however have a certain amount of experience dealing with minorititties in the US; I have personally satisfied the demands of a number of minorititties, and have watched with pride and satisfaction as my contributions have trickled down to others. I only hope I will have the opportunity to do the same here in China.

To #13. It ain't nothing like the U.S. Do you have any idea how redneck you sound by saying that?

Scratch that. You sound like a backwoods white pimp of "minorititties" who help fund their drug addictions and make their dealers happy. Or, of one of their customers who got to know them and their dealers.

In fact, upon rereading your comment and the "personally satisfied" line, I'm going to assume that to be the correct understanding of what you said.

Please. Please go back home to the 'States. I don't usually say this, but you should. Really. God only knows what the Chinese people whose lives you infect will think of America after meeting you.

Like John, I will have to visit here more often.
It sounds like someone's time of the month...

Commenter #14 is right, If'n ya doesn't want ta sound like a redneck, ya shouln't ought ta be referrin' ta minorities that way. Ah treats minorities with respect, that's why ah doesn't sound like a redneck.

#14's second point is right on as well, there should be an affirmative action program instituted in the backwoods to ensure that whites aren't the only ones filling the valuable pimp positions.

That was hysterical. Simply hilarious.


--Stephen