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Introduction
Here I am expected to write a reflection concerning my journey as a coach and adjudicator（裁判、评委）at the 15th Annual All Asians Inter-varsity Debate Tournament, this year held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The fact is... I’m not sure what to write at all. It’s been almost a month since the trip, and since then I’ve already undergone a plethora of other life changing experiences. More so, I haven’t sat down to write reflectively in months. I’m out of practice and out of focus with only a few short weeks left in China before the next big transition of life, return to the United States.
But I will try... here goes...
The experience was multi-faceted, to say the least. Here, in the course of 10 or so days our especially large contingent of students and teachers from all over China experienced a new culture, new ways of thinking, new challenges, new friendships, and much more. For each member of our group, the responses were varied. We each had our ways of processing the new with our own perspectives. As a young Chinese-American, I am sure I bring an especially unique view to the table. Here I will attempt to share these thoughts and feelings and hope it benefits all who take the time to read it.
Dhaka Calling
When given the choice to go to Malaysia/Singapore for touring or Dhaka, Bangladesh for debate, I was immediately inclined to visit Bangladesh. For most people, there is little reason to visit this small, developing nation squeezed between the giants of China and India. However, from my perspective, it was not only an opportunity to connect with the culture and tradition of South Asia as a whole but also a chance to learn and understand the sensitivities of a new nation-state, to see the realities of a struggle for stability, and to learn from a people different than myself. Indeed, being an international debate competition, students from all over Asia would attend. It is these types of international forums that foster a type of educational growth a homogenous group could never dream of. I was eager to participate.
So when my student, Ashley Shen Yijie, said she too wanted to go to Bangladesh, I was quite happy. She herself seemed interested in using this opportunity to grow in knowledge and character instead of simply a fun trip out (though the trip would certainly be fun no doubt). This made me even happier.
It was settled then, on May 7th our Foreign Language and Teaching Research Press (FLTRP) group over 20 participants flew out from Beijing Capital Airport into Zia International Airport in Dhaka. Upon our arrival we were welcomed by students of the hosting institute, North South University, with great enthusiasm and care. Even so, the slow and somewhat disorganized culture of Bangladesh also made an immediate showing. We sat and waited to be picked up by our chartered buses for about two or so hours. In fact, there would be many more experiences of waiting to come.
Leaving the airport was quite the experience in and of itself. When the buses had finally arrived our hosts lined us up carefully and, in single file line, were led out of the airport through the parking lot onto several slightly run-down, red, buses. The entire process felt like a military operation with security guards standing every 10 or so meters of one another. What made me especially uncomfortable was that we were being escorted with such careful precision primarily because of the small gangs of street children and poor surrounding the airport (as far as I can tell.) The children glared at us with bright eyes and wide open smiles, hands outreached in a posture of professional child-actors seeking both Academy awards as well as money for food. The old men and women, on the other hand, carried a sort of glazed over look, as if. If anything, they followed the lead of the children who seemed far more confident in their interactions.
Once aboard the children grouped up in front of the windows vying for our attention. They waved their hands at us, smiled and shouted, as if encouraging us to come down and play. Some of our students snapped some pictures, initially waved back with their own smiles, but soon grew weary of their antics. They simply would not leave. With time, the children took on new personalities to capture our attention. One child sat down cross-legged, imitating a posture of prayer and meditation for a few seconds. He followed this by crossing himself in the manner of Catholics and lifted his hands and eyes to the sky like a Spirit-touched Christian Evangelical. When these antics failed to draw us back to them, the boy suddenly turned angry, his eyes furrowed and his finger pointed and wagging at us in accusation as if we were committing some sort sin by ignoring him. He held his hand out stiffly, his eyes filled with disapproval, demanding our attention. Up to now I had quietly watched the young man, a heart full of conflicting emotions. Only after pulling the curtains across the window did the children begin to scatter playfully and curiously. There was nothing for us or them to see now.
As the bus pulled out of the airport we were treated to boxed Bangladeshi snacks of curried meat wraps and potatoes. The bus was well air-conditioned (freezing in fact) in comparison to the blankets of humidity piled one atop another outside. Comfortably boxed in, we drove south into the city center, all of us glued to our windows in curiosity, wondering what life outside was really like in this obviously poor yet lively place.
I write about the above anecdote specifically because it was my first impression, and everyone knows that it is the first impression that is never forgotten. Even so, the first impression is not always the final one, but it is often a prologue, something to foil everything else against.
After a week and a half, my impression of Dhaka and its people is a simple but strong one. Here is a proud and ever hospitable people seeking to make a meaningful and positive impression of their motherland, especially when international media typical frames Bangladesh as a materially impoverished, naturally cursed, and politically corrupt land. Here is a people who hold great pride in their nation’s unique independence and potential role in the world, but one that also humbly acknowledges and regrets its ever visible weaknesses.
Throughout our time, our hosts made every effort to give us the very best, as is typical of many Asian cultures. We stayed in the best hotel, partook of the highest quality buffet meals, were even escorted by security guards across streets for our safety and care. Even the Head of State, Honorable Chief Advisor Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed welcomed us at the competition’s opening ceremony. The media reported on the debate tournament regularly, showcasing the fact that many of Asia’s youngest and brightest had come to their homeland (Ashley even had her photo taken and displayed on one morning paper). Throughout the week we were treated to a bazaar’s worth of late-night DJ parties, rock bands, and cultural shows. We were given access to Dhaka’s blooming best in both modernity and tradition.
Despite their best efforts however, this was no polished tourist machine. The cracks were many and obvious. Uncertain and undependable schedules gave way to long hours of waiting in rooms or buses with no idea of what to expect next. Horrendous Traffic jams in one of the world’s densest cities only made matters more complicated as venues for debate were littered throughout the city. All this multiplied by ferocious heat and humidity often gave way to complaints and grumbling. Even when outside, the rows of idle security guards (sometimes armed!) gave an uneasy atmosphere that any self-directed exploration of the city was discouraged. So instead, many hours were spent on buses or in waiting rooms staring outside at the crowded streets filled with rickshaws, cars, and oceans of people. It was a constant reminder of our status as privileged guests set apart, removed from seeming messiness of everyday life.
After a week, the first impression at the airport proved to be a pattern for the atmosphere as a whole. We were given the best the city could muster, and as such I am flattered and humbled. Even so, we were also carefully looked after, sometimes like children, in relation to the potential disarray that lurked outside the windows. This was not without reason. The week of our stay student riots had broken out somewhere in the city after a student was killed in an automobile collision.
I only had one free day to explore the city in my week and a half given my responsibilities as both an adjudicator and a coach. During the short nine or so hours I had I greedily tried to drink of the Dhaka’s authentic spirit as much as possible. What I found was not only messiness (though it did exist), but a vibrancy of life. Any potential worries brought on by earlier circumstances faded in the face of real interaction with many of the locals, especially in Old Dhaka. In this old city area by the river filled with humble mosques, dirty markets, and narrow streets, the people greeted us with genuine care and interest from playful school children to older tradesmen. I will never forget the humble young man who willingly escorted me through Old Dhaka’s many crowded alleys, who sat me down in his textile shop for milk tea and conversation, and even called on another local friend’s car to personally drive us to visit the National Parliament building. Nine free hours was far too short. I would have loved to engage more deeply had I the chance.
Yes, there is much to worry about in a space as messy as Bangladesh. You may have your camera or money stolen, you will most likely be tricked and over-charged (I was for both food and transportation on my free day out), at worst you could be caught near a riot or traffic accident, there are many things to be careful about. There’s not doubt about it; Bangladesh is poor, and with it comes a great deal of danger and uncertainty. Yet some of these things, I submit are products of a fear of the poor, a fear of the messy and the different. We don’t always choose to disengage because it’s actually that dangerous. Sometimes we disengage because we’re just too scared...
Indeed, if you choose to engage, there is much to learn and wonder at. In my final, humble analysis, Dhaka and its people remind me of the very best a developing space can offer: the rich and humble sense of warmth, hospitality, and care lost by most developed nations. From the hosting institution of the tournament to the everyday locals, rich or poor, you find a heart-felt sense of welcome. Even getting lost becomes an opportunity to experience the depth of Dhaka’s hospitality when locals take extra time to walk you themselves to your desired destination.
I end this section with a poem by one of Bangladesh’s most famed poets, Shamsur Rahman. I picked up a collection of his poems from the hotel bookstore the day before we left. To me, there was no better way to understand the spirit of a nation than through the words of their poets. As a native of Dhaka, surviving its many revolutions and transformations, Rahman offers in words and expressions I could never even hope to understand fully no matter how long I might stay in Dhaka.
Even so, my week and a half long stay has been just enough to catch a very small glimpse of the city Rahman lived and loved. It is a tragic view, but one born of a natural care and pride.
Here, I am the tourist, and for a short while, Dhaka held out its wizened hands to me.
THIS CITY
by Shamsur Rahman
This city holds out a wizened hands to the tourist,
wears a patched kurta, limps barefoot,
gambles on horses, quaffs palm beer by the pitcher,
squats with splayed legs, jokes, picks lice
from its soul, shakes off bed-bugs,
This city is a cut-purse, scoots at the sight
of a policeman, looks about with eyes like the flaming moon.
This city raves deliriously, teases with riddles,
bursts into lusty song, sheds the sweat
of its brow on its feet in tireless factories,
dreams at times of cradles,
ogles the pretty girl standing quietly on the verandah.
In scorching April or monsoon-drenched June
this city puts its mad shoulder to the wheels
of pushcarts, makes for the brothel at nightfall,
burning with desire to celebrate the flesh,
This city is syphilitic, it tosses and turns
between the white walls of a hospital ward,
This city is a suppliant at the pir's doorstep,
wears charms and talismans
on its arms, round its neck,
Day and night this city vomits blood,
never tires of funeral processions,
This city tears its hair in frenzy, dashes its head
on the walls of dark prison cells,
This city rolls in the dust, knowing hunger
as life's solitary truth,
This city crowds into political rallies,
its heart tattooed with posters.
becomes an El Greco reaching for lofty azure,
This city daily wrestles with the wolf with many faces.
Debate: Impressive Beginnings
Almost all the students in our group were new to Asian Parliamentary Debate, and as such needed to learn the tricks of the trade quickly in order to keep up with experienced debate teams from India to Thailand to Korea. With only a single day’s worth of training before entering the competition, our students were clearly at a disadvantage from the start. Most all of our students came from Public Speaking backgrounds (being winners of the CCTV speaking competition in 2007) where often form could trump matter so long as it proved eloquent, where perfect pronunciation could dazzle instead of a well reasoned argument. This is not to say our students were not logical, but it is to say that the level of knowledge and critical thinking skills many of them carried was not up to par in comparison.
Yet despite their inexperience, this group of young Chinese proved themselves quick and dynamic learners. Of the five FLTRP teams, Ashley and her team walked away with a respectable 4 win-3 loss record and the highest point average of 1823. Many of other teams proved strong as well with similar records. Sadly, I had no chance to see Ashley debate because of my adjudication duties. I would have loved to see her go at it. She proved to be the best speaker on her team with point total of 525.15. So it would seem that although she only came in 10th at the CCTV finals, she certainly ranks as one of the best newcomers to debate in comparison to the other FLTRP contestants. She did it mostly on her own this time as well since I really had little time to do any coaching with her. I couldn’t be more proud =)
In the end, when placed in a new context, our students adapted, paid careful attention to adjudicator comments, and critically assessed their strengths and weaknesses to improve for the next round. This type of spirit is a good one, and I’m glad to have seen it in action.
I am proud of our students for their work, but at the same time I continue to expect more, because I know they are capable of more.
In this section I hope to lend a little insight and encouragement to all those students who will be participating in future debate competitions or are simply seeking to grow in their critical thinking abilities.
1 Teamwork: I stress this point as most important primarily because most of the teams entering the competition are composite teams, which means made up students from different schools who probably have never worked with one another before. In addition, as public speakers most are accustomed to working solo. This advice can be divided into two points...
The first is that debaters must know how to work as a team and communicate effectively with one another. There are no lone rangers in parliamentary debate. Your success depends highly on how you work together. During preparation time all members of the team should have a clear understanding of main arguments and the direction everyone wants to go in. During the debate itself, members of the team should feel free to communicate with one another respectfully in whispers or written notes to keep one another up to date on ideas and rebuttals. Basically, everyone should have some idea of what everyone else is thinking.
The second point is that each member of the team must know their roles. The leader, deputy, and whip each have unique roles with certain responsibilities. Judges pay careful attention to a team’s ability to fit these roles. The way I generally explain the goal of each role is the following:
The leader must set a strong, clear direction for the team to follow. The leader needs to make the motion and general arguments evident. The deputy does the bulk of the hard arguing, rebutting the opponents arguments while strengthening the pattern set by the leader with new information and arguments. The whip must bring a sense of closure and clarity back to the debate, usually by bringing attention to the clashes made by the leader and deputy and reiterating the strongest arguments made.
It will be tempting for members of the team to be independent; for example - the deputy may want to change the case set by the leader to a more effective stance, or the whip may want to offer a whole new set arguments to rebut their opponent. However, breaking from the roles will cause chaos and frustration for both the judges and your opponents.
2 Know the Motion: Whether you are the government or the opposition, a poor understanding of the motion will prove disastrous.
If you are the government, take the time to make your interpretation clear with reasonable definitions and a clear position. A poorly explained motion by the government almost guarantees a poor debate as the government must then re-clarify, or at times try and change their stance without appearing so. Here the role of the Prime Minister is vital. I have seen many a case when a Prime Minister’s inability to make clear a case disables his/her team.
If you are the opposition, one must not be too attached to their own case if it does not fit with the government. Remember, the government has the right to define the motion. This means the opposition MUST be willing to LET GO of their prepared case if they find the government has a different idea. I have also seen too many cases where an opposition stubbornly tries to argue their own case because it is what they have prepared even when it addresses very little in the government’s arguments.
The opposition is allowed to make comments about their problems or dislike of the government interpretation, but even so should do their best to argue. The opposition should feel free to ask several questions to clarify the government’s position through “Points of Information” or even in the rebuttal by the Leader. Seeking to better understand the government’s main argument is key to an opposition victory. If the government continues to be unclear, the opposition can win based on an unclear or under-developed government stance.
3 Communicate a clear “Criteria” or “Burden of Proof:” A good debate is characterized by “clashing.” This means that both sides are actually arguing something. Too often, debaters miss each others main arguments and end up providing arguments that build their own case while ignoring the other. This can (hopefully) be avoided by making clear statements of “criteria” or “burden of proof”
What this means is that a team should state explicitly what needs to be achieved or proved for them to win the debate. This gives the judges and the opponents a clear idea of what is being debated in the first place. I like the simple phrase, “If we can prove to you that ... then we should be awarded the victory.” What goes in the middle will be your primary argument concerning the motion. For example, “If we can prove that (children’s education will be improved by our proposed policy) then we should win.”
In addition, you may place a burden of proof on your opponent as well. The phrase would follow a structure similar to, “It is our opponent’s burden of proof to show you ... . If they cannot do this the victory should go to us.” This is a very effective way to draw pressure and point out weaknesses in your opponent. It also puts you on the offensive posture. For example, “It is my opponent’s burden of proof to show that their new education policy will be cost-efficient and self-sustainable.”
By using statements like the above, you frame a clear case for either side to clash on. If an opponent ignores your criteria statement, this can be pointed out as a weakness and inability to confront real issues. All in all, these rather obvious statements help make a debate more clear and intentional giving more room for real clash and argument.
4 Understanding New Accents: I understand one of the biggest problems facing Chinese students in entering an international English speaking space is accents. Especially when facing opponents of South Asian descent. Couple thick South Asian accents with the incredible fast paced speaking and you’ve got a recipe for miscommunication and confusion. I suspect that a good amount of our students’ weakness and frustration stem from this particular issue, and hence I feel it worthy to be mentioned here.
How to overcome this issue? It will take more intentionality and hard work than anything else. My suggestion is for students to pick up some Bollywood (Indian) movies to watch before hand paying careful attention to dialogue and training a sense of understanding.
If one desires to be successful, being able to decipher a variety of accents will be vital. During debates themselves, feel free to ask opponents to speak more slowly and clearly in a respectful manner. Such will not cause any troubles and probably progress the debate better than if you did not.
5 Logic and Critical Thinking over Passion: Everyone loves a good entertaining show, and debates often prove to be especially entertaining when emotions run high. Being speakers by trade, here I provide another obvious warning to CCTV contestants participating in the All Asians. You will have the talent to speak with passion and humor. However, I urge you to spend more time on your logical and critical thinking skills. This is the foundation of debate after all...
First, the heart of critical thinking skills is the ability to identify assumptions and perceptions. Everyone begins their reasoning process from just a few assumptions and the same goes for building a case in debate. If you can identify assumptions in your opponent and prove them to be flawed, then you have essentially conquered your enemy.
Second, if you cannot find a weakness in the base assumptions, the next step is to try and find a hole in the chain of arguments that come from the assumptions. Some links between one idea and another may be weak. If you can break the links with your own arguments and evidence…
I find the two above ideas the most basic in argumentation.
Third, often the most powerful and emotional arguments are made in a spirit of fallacy. By fallacy I mean very poor logic. The most common one at work I see in debate is an unreasonable slippery slope where causal links are made between two very different subjects. Take the time to understand different fallacies and be able to identify them. This will prove to be both a defense and offense.
A list of fallacies and their definitions can be found here: http://www.coping.org/write/percept/fallacies/content.htm
All in all, logical and critical thinking can be best fostered as a part of life, not only for a specific goal like debate. The following is a list of characteristics found in the most successful critical thinkers based on the research of the California Critical Thinking Dispositions Inventory.
Truth seeking: A courageous desire for the best knowledge, even if such knowledge fails to support or undermines one's preconceptions, beliefs or self interests.
Open-mindedness: Tolerance to divergent views, self-monitoring for possible bias.
Analyticity: Demanding the application of reason and evidence, alert to problematic situations, inclined to anticipate consequences.
Systematicity: Valuing organization, focus and diligence to approach problems of all levels of complexity.
Critical Thinking Self-Confidence: Trusting of one's own reasoning skills and seeing oneself as a good thinker.
Inquisitiveness: Curious and eager to acquire knowledge and learn explanations even when the applications of the knowledge are not immediately apparent.
Cognitive Maturity: Prudence in making, suspending, or revising judgment. An awareness that multiple solutions can be acceptable. An appreciation of the need to reach closure even in the absence of complete knowledge.
Foster the above traits, and you will naturally become a more critical thinker. Other tools to aid your growth in critical thinking can be found on this useful website: http://www.coping.org/write/percept/intro.htm
Time and time again throughout the competition, a good many politicians, bankers, and professors addressed us at dinners and ceremonies with their own orations. In almost all of them, there was a shared value and esteem held for the results of good debate participation. “Those who actively participated in debate in their youth prove to be the world’s most impacting people,” seemed to be the mantra. In fact, I agree with them whole-heartedly.
As such, I believe that the experience our students have gained with them in debate should not be overlooked or put away as a good memory. Instead, I hope and pray each continues to develop the skills they’ve practiced this week in Dhaka in other forms. Let the skills of critical thinking be exhibited in all of life, not only formal competitions. In doing so, they are preparing themselves to be people of influence and impact... hopefully for the betterment of China and the world.
Debate: The Accidental Adjudicator
The students of the FLTRP team were not the only first timers to arrive on the scene of an international debate competition. I too was experiencing, for the first time, the twists and turns of parliamentary debate. However, I was not a debater, but was enlisted to be an adjudicator for the tournament. Suddenly in my hands was the power to decide the winners from the losers. To be honest, it made me terribly nervous. Being unfamiliar with parliamentary rules and culture, I was sure I would make blunders, giving wins to those undeserving and cutting off the chances of better teams. My experience in debate was more or less limited to High School debate team, and even then in a uniquely American style (Lincoln-Douglas).
Although scary at first, with time I found a rhythm. With each passing round I found myself more familiar with the process, able to identify good clashes, bad definitions, strong arguments. I found myself able to give more concrete feedback, and slowly became more and more confident in my decisions. Like the FLTRP students, I had to pick up a new way of thinking quickly. For me it was an exercise in critical listening, and boy was it tiring. I had the privilege of judging a good many high level debates between extremely talented students who had my head spinning with their prowess and skill. I did my best to make sure that with every decision I gave I could articulate the reasons for that decision logically and clearly. Only then would the students I judged respect me.
It would appear all the effort paid off. Though unexpected, I cannot deny I was honored to be selected as one of the nine panelists for the final debate.
Here I want to offer some of my perspectives as an adjudicator in hopes of giving students a window into what judges may be thinking while they are debating. After all, debate and public speaking are audience centered activities. When it comes to the context of debate competition, your audience is not your opponent, but the judge. It will prove you wise to cater your speeches and arguments to what your judge is looking for rather than to stumping your opponents.
1 Listen, Listen, Listen!!: What frustrates adjudicators most is when teams don’t really listen to one another. Why? Because if they don’t really listen they usually aren’t arguing the same case. Different assumptions lead to different arguments and eventually to a clash-less, empty, debate. So as much as debate is about speaking, I submit it is even more so about good listening. Let me say, your judges will be more impressed by your ability to understand and attack your opponents arguments through good listening than by the articulation of your own.
2 Show Some Respect: In the heat of debate, teams would often lose themselves in the competition. The result would often be rudeness in interaction. Teams would gasp and mumble, twist in their seats angrily and scoff. Typically it is nothing too extreme, but here I want to say that judges take note of team behavior, even if off the stage. Presentation and impressions add an extra something to the table, and a composed and respectful team in all circumstances usually receives a judge’s good respect.
3 Please speak to the adjudicator: This is a minor item, but I mention it here so students will be aware early on. It is tempting to argue with the opposing team directly and address them in your arguments, but the fact is that in formal debate, you should always address the adjudicator and the opposing team in the third person. For example: “Mr. Speaker, the government team is making an irresponsible statement here” as opposed to “You are making an irresponsible statement here.”
4 Clarity over Complexity: In some cases, there will appear a motion that you may know a plethora of expert information on. For example, if the motion happens to be an issue in your major field of study or thesis writing. If so, keep your language simple, even when describing complicate concepts. An effective and simple explanation for a concept that is typically complicated usually impresses judges.
5 Fairness of Definitions: This last piece of advice is directed at teams who will hold the position of government. Creativity in defining a motion is a good thing, but in my personal opinion, there are government teams who depend too much on borderline definitions that limit the scope of the debate in context. This often comes in the form of specific countries or organizations that hold direct relevancy to the motion. If one chooses such a context for debate, I believe it is also the government’s obligation to explain the reasons for choosing that context. This effectively shows the judge that the definition is not limiting and biased but is in fact thoughtfully chosen to reflect a more important concept at large.
For example: if the motion is about family planning and the house is defined as China in order to provide a context for the debate, than the government side, out of courtesy, should also make clear the reasons for choosing China. Obviously, the one-child policy is an interesting but very specific issue. A government can avoid accusations of place or time setting if they disclaim immediately the value of debating this context in view of the whole. In this case it can be said “We believe China is a good context for this debate because it explores the issues of direct and complete government control over family planning” If a chosen definitional context cannot be explained in a bigger picture, than I believe you will inevitably face issues of definitional challenge, direct or indirect.
All in all, what an honor and great experience it was to participate so actively in such a tournament as this. I know for a fact that I have grown in my thinking and listening skills through the process. God willing, I look forward to using this knowledge again in the future whether it be in debate adjudication or life itself and its many complicated issues.
To Be Chinese, To Be International (A Global Citizen?)
The topic for speaking during the 2007 CCTV Speaking Competition was “Global Citizenship Begins at Home.” Interestingly enough, what may have begun as an abstract idea actually finds relevancy here in these days in Dhaka...
For most everyday people, it is a rare opportunity to be in spaces saturated by real diversity. For our Chinese students, this may have been their very first experience as a minority surrounded by peoples from all over Asia. Truly, this was an opportunity unlike a typical “trip abroad.” Here were daily opportunities to communicate and interact with someone different. Here was a chance to actually live out all those “global citizen” speeches.
I know for myself, this opportunity could not be missed. While attending to my students when possible, I reaped a great many benefits in stepping outside my typical social circles. First there was rooming with three Indian students. Coming back to the room every night, we discussed the day’s debates, cultural differences and ideas about India, China, and the United States. They gave me an intimate and humble glimpse into the massive and dynamic diversity that India maintains and fosters. In balance with the Indian perspective I also had a great many opportunities to discuss Bangladesh and its cultural identity with a number of Bangladeshi Professors adjudicating with me.
There were opportunities for religious dialogues with devout Muslims, politically idealistic Indians, young people from Taiwan (province), private school students from Bangkok, and so on and so forth. In each space was a chance to learn something new and real about the world. As I engaged others about their lives, it was inevitable they would ask about mine. Along with personal questions would come questions about China, its culture, its current events, and what of her future? In fact, I didn’t always know how to answer.
Although I have many thoughts on China and its new role in the world, I cannot claim to have the insider’s perspective. After all, I am a Chinese American, born and raised in a context as far from China as one can imagine. In fact, only an authentic citizen of the People’s Republic can give authentic answer about today’s China. With this thought in mind, I often wondered what my students were experiencing in their socials...
We all know the Chinese to be a strong and proud people, I myself am a recipient of that tradition in some ways. However, in this modern day, the identity of a people is a tricky thing. To be strong and proud requires something more than a vague understanding of tradition or a collective idealism. China has a rich history of over 5,000 years, but the reality is that the People’s Republic of China carries with it only about 60 years... a small fraction of that very great whole. With China’s recent opening up policies comes an even younger 30-something China and new opportunities for Chinese youth to engage the world. Along with that opportunity comes a new responsibility, that of representing this new China.
Looking back, I think our students experienced a great many things that week when it came to international relationships...
There were times when we chose the comfort of the familiar instead of the challenge of the new. Many times in the midst of a hot and muggy day or during a banquet, it was much easier to hang out with one another than someone new. There certainly isn’t anything wrong with this, as other groups did the same. However, I have noticed that Chinese seem especially collectivist in their interactions. This is another pattern of the culture, and one I hope that our students have become more aware of. True, it is difficult to step out of your comfort zone, by I assure you, only by doing so will you become the fullest person you can be.
There were times when we opened out our hands to receive and learn. There is nothing more attractive than humility and modesty. This is a value that has been a part of Chinese tradition for generations, and in Dhaka some of our students had the chance to come before others and show that humility; to intentionally seek others out, eagerly ask questions and learn from others. Learning to ask questions and listen to others’ opinions and stories is a wonderful trait to foster, especially when meeting people different than you. I was very proud of how many of our students so hospitably interacted and gracefully thanked our hosts for their efforts and work in putting on this international event.
There were times when we felt greatly offended. Being in an international space means having to deal with a high diversity of opinions about issues as sensitive as politics and as personal as your culture. Here, some of our students experienced a genuine sense of discomfort, and didn’t quite know what to do with it. It was a very good experience to have, for I believe as China grows stronger it will only receive more attention, both positive and negative. How China’s new youth reacts to these praises and criticisms is of the utmost importance. After all, America has been a strong nation for decades now and regularly receives criticism for every other action it takes. China will have to deal with the same. I hope that China’s new youth will learn to react in humility, with a heart open to real conversation and listening. Such an attitude will win the respect of others, even if they do not support you.
There were times when we carried an unbecoming sense of superiority. Perhaps this was in reaction to the offenses felt, or perhaps it was a natural by-product of being in a developing nation clearly behind in its social-economic status. Whatever the case, it was here that I was most disappointed in our group. There is a difference between seeing a culture’s weakness and actually going about belittling it. I’ve little else to say about this. I only hope China’s youth will not continue down this unhealthy path of superiority. China’s relations will suffer for it if it does. America certainly has.
There were times when we were humbled by others. Some of our students, when faced with differing opinions and challenges, found themselves introspective and reflective. Hard questions were asked, and hard answers were considered. Being humbled to re-evaluate one’s self is one of the most difficult things a person could ever do, but to go through such self-criticism actually makes us stronger. Honest and humble self-criticism can only produce one of two results. One is that we correct false beliefs, the other is we strengthen our right ones. Those students in our group who underwent this process, I feel, have probably gained the most from this experience. They have become more dynamic people.
At one point or another during this trip, I feel all of us carried such thoughts and feelings. It is a mark of true international exchange, not just from an objective standpoint, but from that of life.
What does it mean to be Chinese in today’s new China and new world? Whether our students realized it or not, they became ambassadors that week in Dhaka. I imagine many of the people there had very little ideal of China in the same way we had few ideas of them. As our students receive more and more chances to go abroad and interact in business, education, or even politics, it will inevitably showcase what the new China is and will be.
Dhaka and the Bangladeshi people have certainly made an impression on us, but here I ask... what kind of impression do you feel we’ve made on them? I believe the answer to that question will reveal a general direction concerning China’s growing international relationships.
China has had many great triumphs, but if we are honest with ourselves, modern China has had its share of tragedies as well. Recognizing and working out the ups and downs of your nation’s history in an international context is all a part of the growing up process and it is clear that China’s international presence is coming of age. Having the chance to accompany this group of young, bright, and zealous, Chinese youth to Dhaka has revealed to me just how important this “growing up” process is. It’s all a part of really taking on this so called “global citizenship.”
This short week in Dhaka I saw many of our students grow up a little bit more. Practically speaking, they found themselves in the middle of Asia and all its peoples and had to reconsider their roles as Chinese in the midst of it.
May this one short experience be an insightful guiding light for the future.
Conclusion
At the end of this long and wordy essay, I breathe a sigh of relief. Before, during, and after the trip I’ve had a good many emotions and thoughts stirring around in my head and heart. Here I’ve unloaded them all in a fashion, I hope, is readable and helpful.
Here I offer my thanks to Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press for organizing such wonderful educational opportunities and for supporting such dynamic programs in seeking to create dynamic students of foreign studies.
A great many thanks to Anhui Normal University’s School of Foreign Studies for their support for the public speaking program. I want to give a special thank you to Ms. Shirley Xie Yali for all her work in organizing and supporting speech communication and opportunities for public speaking here at Anhui Normal. Being the foreign teacher, I often get a lot of attention, but it is really her who makes a lot of my opportunities to coach and teach possible.
I dedicate this essay to my own students at Anhui Normal University like Ashley Shen Yijie and so many others unnamed here. I’ve had the honor and privilege of teaching, coaching, and learning with them for my three years in China. My prayer for them is that they become a strong, positive example of all the new China has to offer the world. |
