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Norris: Thanks for the insight. This is interesting news. BEth
Hi Beth,
Good to hear from you. (Beth is a Wake Forest University alum, lawyer and friend) I haven't finished talking about China. For instance, they are portrayed as a 'Third World' country when most indicators I saw put them ahead of the USA (probably except for the military).
I want to play your son in tennis. I hear he is good. This asthmatic old man can probably take him though. I just need my nebulizer nearby.
Hello Norris, great article, I've been to Japan, and I know that there is a similar feeling there as well. I never got anything for free, but i was treated better than the average foriener. Nice to know its the same in other places
What a pleasant story. Did you meet any white Americans over there and, if so, what was their read of this apparent Chinese affection for Blackness? Any signs of guilt or resentment?
And did you get the sense that you were being viewed through the prism of the images of Blacks they may see on MTV? Or are images of Blackness in China more diverse and ennobling?
Nice to hear from you.
There were whites there but did not seem to generate the same kind of buzz. Xiaoping, our China Office Director said we were all foreigners to the Chinese people. She also kidded with Derry Bigby, our Vice President, who is lighter than me. She called him a 20% black man and me a 100% black man because of my dark color. I did not ask whites what they thought of the fascination with black and they showed no signs of resentment.
Fortunately, I did not get any MTV vibe or Hip Hop stereotype feedback. They were simply delighted to see me.
I just think they come with a clean slate and their self love and love for each other spills over to others.
Glad your visit and experience were so positive! The pencil / charcoal drawing isn't a bad likeness either!!! -- Looking forward to hearing more details of the trip and the feedback since your return.
Mütter
Greetings: It is nice to be welcomed no matter where you go. I glad the your trip was both safe and very enjoyable.
First let me say that I am delighted to know that your trip went well.
Your reflections remind me of my experience over 20 years ago. It was the era of the Jerri-curl and when my wife walked down the streets of Hong Kong and Macau crowds would gather pointing at her hair as they said, "Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson." We created quite a stir when I stopped at a shoeshine box. A large crowd gathered commenting with nods of approval as the the shoe shine man put a great glow on my dusty leater shoes. They applauded when the job was finished. I often wondered was the appaluse nore for the shoeshine man or the Black Americans who gave him some business. It was clear that we all were honored to be part of the event.
What is most interesting today is how involved China is now in investing in energy and technology in several African countries.
Thanks. I never thought China as awesome as your experience
'Chinese love Black people'? Is this guy delusional? I've been living in China for years and the overwhelming majority of Chinese people despise Blacks more than any other Ethnic group. Black NBA players, singers, and actors are exempt of course because like racist whites and other races, Chinese people loved to be entertained by Blacks. Beijing-rens were deriding him and he didn't even realize it. To be called "Black Ghost" or "Black Monkey" to your face is a common occurence. To have people run at the sight of seeing you or giggle while saying "Black people" happens on a consistent basis as well. Irrespective of what city you're in (Shanghai, Taiyuan etc), if you're Black, you will encounter this to the point where you'll despise going outside. The literate Chinese will tell you that its "Chinese way" and "you just don't understand", "they don't know they're insulting you", "its the "language barrier" and a litany of other insufficient explanations. However, upon fiurther examination - particularly when you begin to learn Chinese) you'll discover that they are quite conscious of what they are saying and doing and simply couldn't care less - unless you get extremely angry and then fear and regret sets in. This guy has absolutely no idea what he's talking about. I implore anyone that disagrees to talk to Blacks that actually live here or come and visit for themselves. The absolute worse place for Blacks to live is in Asia in general but in China specifically.
i thought your story about your warm reception in china was very interesting. this is just a thought, possibly a stupid one. i get the feeling that china has lots of resentment toward the west and westerners because we give them a lot of bad press about human rights issues. the chinese press probably counters with an equal amout of bad press about the usa, most likely including things about discrimination towards blacks. i wonder if they were especially friendly on the basis of thinking 'an enemy of our enemy is our friend'
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