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Viewpoints
Wednesday, 18 June 2008

To begin this, am expecting to have all lot of people disagreeing with all lot of what am going to say and also I know my standard of English is not really up to scratch and can't use fancy long words like many people here can but whatever!

Lately I've only just came back from my travels in China and yes am a banana like most of you here! Since coming back I have been hearing so much about this Tibet, Olympic, earthquake debate and I have been replying and reading many articles and comments on Dimsum and other sites but I have to say I feel very disappointed and I keep questioning myself how hard it is to find acceptance and respect In this world.

I remember I gave one comment here saying how proud I was of China and someone replied that they don't understand people who say they are proud, they weren't the people who build China!!! There are these so called educated people go complaining at something that they don't even understand fully, just how can you go questioning so much about China if you not even been and lived there properly.

How can you expect a country to meet so much requirements when it has already achieved so much in such a short time. I remember one customer said when they visited Beijing about 11 years ago, there weren't hardly any cars and look at it now! As a BBC being brought up in the UK am disappointed in some ways, nowhere is perfect fair enough but at least have some respect and acceptance.

Just look how big China is compared to the UK, read up its history? Its just not that simple and I know for a fact that living in China you just have to accept the cultural differences, the way the Chinese people think and then life will make much more sense, I just can't imagine myself just complaining all the time about the cultural differences at who's right and wrong, just what is the point?

I feel that many people here like to complain all the time. According to Eric Weiner, US author of new best seller The Geography of Bliss, "Britain is a great place for grumps." Weiner, who travelled the world to find its happiest and most miserable places, suggest we derive a perverse pleasure from having something to complain about.

I think there are many things China can learn from the west and many things the west can learn from China. I agree with one comment from somewhere stating: "China needs democracy, but it should be carried out by Chinese people themselves at their own pace without finger-pointing interference by western powers".

I just hope there is more peace in this world (yes I know am not someone to say this) and finally, with all these people attacking and defending China, I thought to myself - don't mind country to country problems, even small groups of people find it hard to relate to each other. Some British Born Chinese here should have more respect for their roots!

Kev Yu

 
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loporbeng - just a view Posted 19:32 on 20 June 2008
I think many BBCs do respect their roots and do know where they come from; personally I found its only other fellow BBCs who really understand this issue. Part of the problem is prejudice by non-BBCs and some indigenous Chinese people not accepting "bananas" as proper chinese people. I also been to the east many times before. On reflection I think BBCs parents are very unusual people to make this bizarre journey and subsequent difficult life in the UK, when the majority of people of their generation didn’t. The I am proud to be xyz can get a bit complicated because it can be tied up with the problems of patriotism and where your allegiances lie, in times of conflict.
Jeff Minter Posted 14:20 on 26 June 2008
I've said before, I'm neither proud nor ashamed of my heritage. Proud that my parents have raised me up well, disgruntled that society ('pure' Chinese and 'pure' Brits) can't accept we are patriotically British but ethnically Chinese.

But it seems to anyone not of a mixed heritage/nationality/a combination of those, the world is still black and white - you're either with us, or them.

Grow up.
kat - i lurve coookkkiiess Posted 18:50 on 26 June 2008
BBCs are in a unique position, in that they do not fit in existing cultures nor; probably dued to its few members creates a new one.
However I am proud to be a "banana"! even though i look more like a potato! as a current big brother contestant keeps on saying.
Kyu Posted 2:13 on 27 June 2008
Dear Jeff

Its only my point of view, don't take it to serious.......Come on! Whats wrong in being proud of my
heritage and my roots! Am finally much happier with myself in knowing where I stand, We all have our own paths to lead.............. I just hope you can respect other people feelings(
only my point of view)
hengjil - not complaining Posted 19:47 on 30 June 2008
As a matter of everyday conduct, I generally respect other people views and hope they respect mine, only if it doesn t cross the line when it s a bit too extreme. People have the every right to complain if they feel they want too, I think most readers are discerning and intelligent enough to make their minds want to think. My opinion is that "complaining" comments when it has a reasonable good point and it often does , is worth making, and helps to dispel the myth that the Chinese or BBCs have silent voices. I don’t want to be like my parent’s generation who are ignored and suffered too much discrimination by not speaking.
Kyu Posted 2:03 on 1 July 2008
Dear Hengji

Respect your words, In the past I have been one of those who kept silent not being involved in society to much and kept allot of how i felt to myself, gradually we all learn, as a result when
you have achieved something you feel happy about, You feel the need to express and to share with others how you feel and to actually contribute something worth while to society. This may sound about Cheesy, but this is the first time I've ever really replied to any post showing my own points of view
and hoping my words can inspire others(I know!) I agree with you that everyone has the right to complain when they want to, So here It goes! For "some" bbc's out there speak up! We are all special and respect your roots and heritage! I respect those who feel comfortable in the western society
and you do have every right to but at least pay some respect to your roots. They are our foundation, If you still know where your accestors are burried, go visit them no matter how far and hard it is. It would mean allot......
Hengjil Posted 19:59 on 1 July 2008
Hello Kyu, i m not complaining just commenting, thats sounds a bit like the teachings of Confucius, unquestioning great respect for your elders and sustaining strong family lineage. Anyway good on you in finding your way or personal "tao".
My outlook is a bit different more but that s doesn't mean its better or worse just a different outlook. What connects me to other BBCs is this search or making sense of one's spiritual home and belongingness.
Kyu Posted 1:34 on 2 July 2008
Finally there is respect! What i find with bbc's is we all have this fascinating gift to
view life in more ways, through out that process, we can become lost, never knowing
who we really are or having that something to make life more meaningful(cant really express what i mean!)
I respect freedom, following your own dreams whatever, but there are times that you need to know where we
belong, where our home is? and knowing your own roots. Like many Chinese parents, my parents worked
so hard over the years to give us a better future, same for my grandparents and great great grandparents and
so on. Would it be a shame to forget about them, just like your children don't give a damm about you? How would
you feel? We need to keep this spirit going, like the Chinese say, "Its a great virtue for generation to
Generation to go visit ones ancestors tomb"
BBC - very chinese Posted 19:32 on 3 July 2008
That attitude is more chinese than chinese!
Yin Posted 2:12 on 18 July 2008
BBC, is a hard term to define because it can be difficult for the indigenous people of britain to understand that we can be both british and chinese, we will support both Britain and China/[enter eastern country here].

Also, i think that this feeling of belonging, isn't going to last. Okay the 1sr/2nd generations of BBC may feel like how we are. But after a few generations, it's kind of scary that some people may lose sight of BBC as it is now.
provisional BBC Posted 20:40 on 18 July 2008
I wonder whether evolution and cross integration will eventually diminish these niche BBC identities. If, in the future my children (and great grandchildren) were not to learn the chinese language or are in not in close contact with chinese people then how can I expect them to be able to communicate or engage with chinese culture deeply? also I think chinese culture is unique in that there is no mass religion or history (e.g. slavery) that binds cultural identity. Already i have BBC acquaintances who are totally alien to chinese customs. i think it s a shame but who am i to tell them how to live.
Kyu Posted 14:25 on 19 July 2008
Well I know we cannot do much but at least we can do something, even if we can only prosuade one!! we have already constributed another thing to society, from those last two replies am happy you guys agree with some of what I've wrote. I even offered one of my bbc friends to go back to china with him and to pray for there anncestors(as his howntown is near mine) he replied "oh you into all that are ya?" i understand many reasons are rooted and one obvouse reason is his parents hardly go back them selfs.
yang - BBCs a super minority? Posted 19:28 on 25 July 2008
As a BBC defined as British born with chinese parents, I found that I don't feel full-on chinese nor British, the important thing for me most of the time it doesn't matter. I am just who I am, a person with an unusual mix who doesn't fit with the majority in terms of ethnicity and racical background. It only bothers me when it gets too political.
I got to hear a recent brilliant Radio 4 programme where the talented actor David Yip said something in the lines of: that he never knew who his chinese father was and one day perhaps he will be able to meet him and speak to his friends. He was close to tears when he spoke those words, i don't know why but so was I.
kyu Posted 15:07 on 29 July 2008
Hi Yang whats the link to that radio 4 program?
Steve Pang Posted 11:52 on 6 August 2008
I'm all for having respect for my roots, however I find it weird show so many Chinese people feel that respect for one's roots equates to never criticizing the policies of the Communist Party!

Much of the West's criticism of China e.g. over human rights is in reality criticism of Communist Party policies. Yet it seems many Chinese people take these criticisms personally as if they were directed at the entire Chinese race.

If you are Chinese, you have the right to feel a sense of loyalty to the country of China. However that doesn't mean you have to be loyal to the Chinese Communist Party, who are nothing more than the current management.

China existed long before the Communist Party and will continue to exist after the Communist Party has long disappeared.

You can criticize the Communist Party and still be loyal to China. I think that gets forgotten.
BBC - confused identities Posted 19:05 on 7 August 2008
Is there a difference "BBCs" and Chinese people, I would say yes in cultural experience and values but not in terms of genes. Do people differ in what is defined as "Chinese", "British" and "loyality" I would also say Yes, hence the confusion. I think being "BBC" IS this confusion itself and these blurred boundaries which are not clearly drawn, nor can it be. Well thats when it gets too deep and get too political. I prefer a simple happy life and just get on with everyone all cultures.
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