Posted on 04/16/2005 8:25:20 AM PDT by Dr. Marten
During My second Semester of Chinese History 495 we were required to read from several texts, one of those being Revolution and Its Past : Identities and Change in Modern Chinese History.
It was a well written book that centered its theme around the Chinese identity and how forces both within and outside of China have impacted it in the past century and a half. Near the end of his book, Schoppa raised the question of what shape Chinese identity, the “Chinese soul,” would take as China integrates into the global community. Among the issues he raised were continued repressive political policies, a rapidly growing economy creating greater and greater disparity between rich and poor, increasing Western-style consumerism with a parallel de-emphasis on group identity as the Chinese are exposed to Western cultural values.
Throughout his book, Schoppa suggested both positive and negatives possibilities for China’s future political, economic, social, and cultural identity. Furthermore, he also suggested that we need to think in terms of a plurality of identity rather than just one.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehorsesmouth.blog-city.com ...
oops, that didn't format well.
Their power has waxed and waned in 3 or 400 year cycles. At the top of their game they are second to no one.
"The Chinese have a three thousand year history of physical expansion and cultural absorption (or obliteration). That will not change."
Good point -- Mongolians invaded and controlled China. What did Ghengis Khan do? Instead of living in tents like a Nomad, he moved into palace and adopted Chinese style administration (i.e. his cultured merged into China) Tang dynasty is the same thing (first Tang ruler was a minorit, or at least at THAT time, a minority from the Tibet border area) This won't change.
"Han" is actually a huge collective of different races of people. Chinese look a lot different from northern Chinese of say Shandong province (where the beautiful actress Gong Li is from) than Chinese from Guangdong/Hong Kong. You haev people very short and people very tall like Yao Ming there. No amount of communism can stop this -- the cultural revolution was a revulsion that many Chinese resented it.
Unfortunately the lasting effect of Mao is felt in China today -- peopel have been starving for capitalism for many years and now they operate with UNRESTRAINED capitalism -- corruption, environmental poulltion are accepted. That, unfortunately, is the Chinese identity today.
Ping.
"Mongolians invaded and controlled China. What did Ghengis Khan do? Instead of living in tents like a Nomad, he moved into palace and adopted Chinese style administration (i.e. his cultured merged into China) Tang dynasty is the same thing (first Tang ruler was a minorit, or at least at THAT time, a minority from the Tibet border area) This won't change."
I'm afraid I would have to tell you to go back and read your Chinese history. It was Kubalai Khan who formally established the "Yuan Dynasty" and adopted the Chinese administration into his own rule over the kingdom.
Blam thinks that the first Emperor was probably a red-haired white man. :)
At one point the heroine (Zhang Ziyi) of the very popular film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" says "I am not Han. I am a true Mongolian". That says it all. They suffer from the same romantic horseshit that's overcome all our fashionable young twits who proudly claim American Indian heritage.
Blam thinks that the first Emperor was probably a red-haired white man. :)
At one point the heroine (Zhang Ziyi) of the very popular film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" says "I am not Han. I am a true Mongolian". That says it all. They suffer from the same romantic horseshit that's overcome all our fashionable young twits who proudly claim American Indian heritage.
You're right, and I was wrong, it was Kublai Khan.
Man, i am not sure what's with all the fascination of Zhang Ziyi in the west. She's pretty damn ugly by Chinese standards :) Gong Li, on the other hand.... is yummy.
Anyway, I invite you to engage in the discussion on my blog. It should be interesting considering the background of those waiting to participate.
Already in it, under "Tony"
That's a lovely color, but I couldn't read it comfortably without highlighting it.
Thanks, I need the feedback.
Any suggestions?
Oh, you meant on FR.
Sorry.
Sorry about the previous reply. For some reason I couldn't post the image directly.
I think Lucy Liu is better looking. She got the bod and face. Knows how to handle a samarai sword in Kill Bill. Booyah!!!
You gotta be kidding me, Lucy Liu? OK, she's a bit better than Zhang Ziyi but still a far cry from Gong Li :)
cool. Check out the latest post then. That's where this discussion is.
You and I were discussing something on a bit of a different topic.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
