Shanghaiist: Opinionist: CD reviews, racial theory and journalism

fjiofojif

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:48:07 +0800

The review of Snapline was the exception, rather than the rule - expat rags usually give pretty straightforward reviews. They generally don't exoticize or stress the strangeness of China, to forward colonial policies (so perhaps "Orientalist" wasn't the right choice of words) I have this month's "that's Shanghai", and while I've only skimmed through it so far, I don't remember anything else like that. So I guess the counter-example would be every other article in the magazine.

Andy Best

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:36:32 +0800

Yes, and it's simply a matter of literary culture following the reality of the societies that created it, over a period of history ending at now. Most people tend to associate 'racism' with name calling or violence only.

Joon

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:48:27 +0800

hey andy - totally agree that the expat rags begin from an orientalist starting point - whether they realise it or not. sad thing is, most english-language writing on china, including a lot of mainstream journalism, follows the same pattern.

Andy Best

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:53:19 +0800

And by the way - thanks for commenting.

Andy Best

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:48:20 +0800

Hi. The review is the example that inspired me to write something on the subject. I find there is an 'orientalist' streak to most of the writing and blogs. If you guys don't agree (fine by me) how about some examples or points of your own to illustrate this? AB

fjiofojif

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 14:54:53 +0800

It's a fucked up record review and obviously the "Chinese people shouldn't even try to do Western Music" while not mentioning the quality of the music (in a record review) is basically xenophobic. It's a lot stronger than bringing up a Detroit/New York stylistic split. But from just this one review, it's overreaching to say the author is racist, much less to claim that it's all tied in to 19th century racial theories, or that it demonstrates a widespread Orientalist streak in the ex-pat community. Like poster #4 says - it's just an ex-pat rag.

Andy Best

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 09:55:22 +0800

Hey Creamcorn Yes, the quote you used is supposed to suggest that there is a confusion of race and culture going on. I later write that it's obviously ridiculous in that example and therefor should be in the 'Chinese' context too. "Culture", according to Raymond Williams, is the hardest English work to define. But I'm happy with it being the produce of human society. "Race" is an imagined concept. There is one biological human race that can all interbreed successfully.

creamcorn

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 02:33:44 +0800

Would he dare to write a review of a mainstream R'n'B singer from the USA and accuse them of not being 'Black' enough? This analogy confuses culture (and other associated attributes) with race. Rather, you might hear a journalist ask "You're from Detroit. Why the New York style of music?" I think that is a better analogy. The term "Chinese" is so comprehensive that a lot of details go missing when it is applied.

creamcorn

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 20:01:30 +0800

Talk to a sympathetic Chinese friend and you will begin to understand the deep racial chauvanism in Chinese culture. What's more, it's tacit and not criticised and you will never see the sort self-criticism you have made here. That's all I'll say on that issue. As for expat attitudes, I think you're being enormously presumptuous in calling the author racist. Do you know that he does not sincerely suggesting that the band might be more effective and creative if they drew more from their own musical/aesthetic heritage than producing derrivative work? No, you don't. You've just placed the author's words into your own chosen context and made a racists out of him. Chinese constantly speak about Chinese characteristics, westerners not being able to understand China (i.e. believe whatever I say), and trumpet their culture and society. So the author is a hardcore white supremicist or a music junky who thought he was issuing some sincere advice to a young musician, I don't think what he said was particularly offensive and you assume gtoo much. Nice column tho.

Michael_Michael

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 15:51:34 +0800

I was also a little shocked when I read the That's review. Sure, the Snapline album is a bit derivative (I still think it's a decent record) but I'm looking at it now and it doesn't claim to be "Chinese"... and it isn't any more derivative than anything else I've heard recently, from any country! I wonder if the author would say the same about a random Japanese rock band? On the other hand -- it's an expat rag! I've seen far worse...

Andy Best

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 13:01:09 +0800

Also, I'm writing about ex-pat attitudes and if you can help it, try not to hijack the comments completely, Cheers. AB

Andy Best

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 12:59:45 +0800

Hi, I'm the post author. So. Why and in what ways do you think 'Chinese' racial attitudes are more interesting? Are they different from our own? Thanks for joining in.

creamcorn

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 10:53:36 +0800

way to damn the whole expat community based on parsing hairs from a single, insignificant music review. I think Chinese racial attitudes are far more interesting.