Between East and West


During these difficult days, I have had ample time to reflect on my unique experiences in both my home country of the United States of America and my second home - the People’s Republic of China.

Having lived off and on in the PRC since 2007, I have had many opportunities to connect with both the people of the culture of China intimately.  I have always found the people to be exceedingly gracious and hospitable as I learned to acclimate to their language, their food, and their ways.

Here are three lessons I am grateful to have learned during this time.

Separate People from Politics

As an American, I was raised in a particular political system that I am grateful for.  My family has been able to live well and relatively secure amidst the winds of change.  My Chinese friends have also been raised in a particular political system that many are grateful for.  Many have also been able to live well (many of them better than before) and relatively secure amidst the winds of change.

So when I see someone I care about beam with pride for their Mother Country, I am more than able to empathize.  She has in many ways helped to raise and care for them.  How can they be anything other than loyal and zealous as they desire a bright future for both her and themselves?

Find Common Ground

I have been profoundly affected by traveling everywhere from the teeming Metropolis to the humble hamlet of parts of Central and Southern China.  And though our languages are different; our cultures are different, our foods and flavors are different; there is still much that we share in common.

We love our families.  We love our countries.  We are proud of our hometowns and our local cuisine.  I have lost count of the number of times I have been offered special “local” food or been treated to an outing at a special “local” attraction.  We love to recreate.  We are each passionate hobbyists - though the hobbies may vary.  We love art and music.  

I am thankful for my plentiful opportunities to experience our shared humanity with people so different from myself - or are they?

Recognize our Shared Destiny

I am convinced that perceived scarcity is our greatest enemy as a global society.  And with the world more connected and “viewable” than ever, I also believe that now is our best chance to combat this sinister adversary.  

And though hard commodities are factually limited, there are other social commodities that are not.  The capacity to seek understanding; the capacity to empathize; the capacity to wish another well; the capacity to share and collaborate.  

My desire is that we as a global society will increasingly recognize that we are not on opposite sides of the table, but on the same side and will share a mutual fate.


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