Shanghaiist: Mr. Hu and Boeing

peijin

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 02:08:28 +0800

the problem with you is that you read too much into things. I am really flattered that you would try to psychoanalyze me in this way, it might save me some therapy money. But no, i don't believe that i have to manifest my American identity by being critical of China, and being critical, i am hardly condescending, at least not in high and mighty westerner type way. I don't need to prove to anyone that i am American, because in China, most of the time, I don't speak English to other people or hang out with expats all the time. I am comfortable in my own skin, as a Chinese. I am also comfortable in my own skin as an American. If you have a problem with my writing, fine. Don't try to psychoanalyze me because it compromises the intelligence you show in your remarks. Again, you missed my point about "stars and stripes". Because, as I said, i represent part of America, i don't need to prove my authenticity -- that notion, in itself, doesn't really affect me too much in day to day life. Furthemore, as i said before, you read too much into things. I never singled out the guy and attacked him, he was just part of the event. Is this ideological indignation? Yes, perhaps, but not because of him, or because of Boeing, or Starbucks, or President Hu. I certainly do not want to appear as if I am picking on him in particular, if that was the impression I gave, then my writing needs work. I welcome that criticism. "Easy trick" -- well, you're right, I have been thinking about the fact that i sound like a broken record. I would like to change that, and i suspect that when i have more time I will write about other things, perhaps more to your liking -- daily life, events in Shanghai, books and movies. There are other writers on Shanghaiist. You can write for the site as well, esp. if you are more self-conscious and can prevent hte worst of your psychological proclivities from rearing their ugly heads in your writing. This site has other writers, and when there's a bit of a lull, maybe it sounds like just me, for which I apologize, but i can't do much about that personally. If you don't like what I write, skip over it. I try to write about different things than the other contributors, the fact that each person has their area of expertise and concern is what makes the site what it is. Look, you want me to be less cynical here, perhaps more generous there -- but the bottom line is, even if i can accept your criticisms, I cannot always write the way you want. I am me, and that me is a bit more complex than your little "profile" suggests. What you ought to do is turn that ability of yours -- the psychological scrutiny -- to yourself, and try to figure out why 1. you think you know a person just from a several posts they write on a website and 2. you feel like you can psychoanalyze them using what notions you have of Chinese-Americans, some of which may well apply, and some of which do not. You must think that being critical of China that i want to prove my americannness and therefore I really love america. But in fact, you don't know what i think about America, do you? In fact, you don't even know what I think about China, or the various aspects of China. if you're gonna criticize the writing, stick my writing. I want to make this site better and attract more readers. When you gratuitously psychoanalyze people and then call people names, that really doesn't help the cause. If you have any constructive suggestions or complaints, you can also email the editor (Dan Washburn) of this site.

马耷

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 17:42:12 +0800

peijin

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 13:20:21 +0800

well, if Mulallay's excitement is indeed silly, don't I have the right to make fun of it? The whole thing is a bit absurd -- the language used, the pomp and circumstance of it all -- while some might see it in very concrete terms as Boeing's economic lifeline, and therefore connect it to the livelihoods of american families, i see it as that, but also as a spectacle. The kind of understanding and exchange that happens between cultures and people doesn't happen at these banal, scripted events. If the thing is about money, then call a spade a spade and say so. I really have no patience for the fakeness and pretentiousness of these events. THere's no real communication between human beings here, just formalities: Mr. Hu, look at this, Mr. Hu we present you with that. And Mr. Hu, your jokes real funny, esp. for a guy who's so adept at repression. Furthermore, the whole thing smacks of the worst kind of collusion between big money and the Chinese elite -- which to be sure, is not news, but is still discomfiting for me to see, so openly. The whole "fuck yeah" thing is obviously a riff on the "Team America" movie, which itself satirizes certain aspects of american culture --which was my point. I don't know if that's giving them the finger, but certainly nothing i say has to do with being Chinese-american. I don't see how I can be attacking the "stars and stripes", because by that you mean "America," but i wouldn't know which America you refer to. Mullaly does not equal the stars and stripes and does not equal America -- I was born and raised in America, so he is not anymore representative than I am, unless you count the fact that he's probably white. That kind of event, that kind of exchange -- that's one aspect or strand of america, and i'm another. And now I'm poking fun at them. Go figure.

马耷

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 11:19:36 +0800

Mulally's excitement, while being silly, sounds innocent enough to me. By giving him the finger, Peijin my boy, what do you want to prove? Is this part of the deal being Chinese American, therefore gotta raise your little arm higher to the Stars & Stripes? "As he closed the proceedings, Mulally pumped his fist and shouted, “China rocks!” Fuck yeah!"