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China's Big Current Thing Through Chinese Eyes

By Dan Harris and Steve Dickinson

When something big happens somewhere in the world, my first instinct is to seek to learn more by looking at what was written before it happened. I have been reading up on two things this weekend, Barack Obama's long standing and close relationship with the pastor he refers to as his "mentor" and recent "incidents" in China's Western region. I learned a considerable amount about "the feelings" surrounding you know what by reading a 1999 article written by Peter Hessler (he of Oracle Bones and River Town fame) (h/t to Crossing Cultures blog). Hessler's article is described as follows:

Many Chinese working in ... [this region] regard themselves as idealistic missionaries of progress, rejecting the Western idea of them as agents of cultural imperialism. In truth, they are inescapably both.

Part 1 is here, Part 2 is here, and Part 3 is here. A very thoughtful and very sad read. Definite analogies to Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Please be forewarned that I am going to be very careful about the comments. I am going to be much more discerning about what I keep and I also am reserving the right to make changes, as necessary. I want to keep this blog online in China. Go here for more.

Full post as published by China Law Blog on March 15, 2008 (boomark / email).