Not My China
My students this term have a tendency to say “My China” or “Our China”. As their oral English teacher, that bothers me. Who says that? I would never say “My United States” (that just reminded me of a song though) or “Our United States of America”.
I just thought that it had a strange sound to it. When students used that phrase, I let it go, but I must say I didn’t like it.
On Friday afternoon, I biked with seven of my students to XiaoLong. I’ve been there a few times before, it’s one of my favorite places around Yizhou- refreshingly clean and beautiful. However, I’ve always taken a bus. Who knew that a 15 minute bus ride could turn into an hour long, mostly uphill fight with a rented, rusty bike and students who are not good at biking? (Who knew that was a possibility in China?)
During one of our short breaks to catch our breath, I was having a conversation with one of the students. During our discussion, he referred to “Our China”, so I asked him about it. I told him that I had observed that most students use those same words.
He told me that it most likely comes from the old idea that China is the greatest country in the world and that China only belongs to the Chinese and no one else. It is simply to emphasize that China does not belong to anyone else and it’s a way of expressing pride in the country.
It was a mild shock to have it so clearly pointed out to me.
I’m not completely ignorant, in case you weren’t sure. I know that I’m not actually Chinese. I realize that I have a contract to be here for two years and once that contract ends, I will most likely return back to the U.S.A.
However, the difficult part to swallow is the knowledge that even if I wanted to spend the rest of my life in China, it would never really be “My China”. Even if I spoke fluent Mandarin, or even the local dialect, I would never really belong here.
It’s strange to think that I was born an American and no matter what happens, I’ll always be considered an American, no matter where I choose to live the remaining days of my life. I may disagree with the President, the Courts, or my local Representative. It won’t matter- I will still be held accountable by the decisions made back the The States.
I didn’t make that choice.
I guess that I spent my youth deceived by the idea that I could be whoever I wanted to be and whatever I wanted to be as long as I worked hard enough to do it.
It has taken me years, but I’ve finally come to the realization that it’s not entirely true.
There are many things that I will never be, and Chinese is one of those.
I’m reminded of it every single day.
Best of luck to you in your travels, and that picture is GORGEOUS!! Love it.