The China Teaching Web

Sometime during the early afternoon today, a viewer on the Anti-CNN website placed the entire text of my recent post  Who is Behind the Anti-CNN Website? in a forum post. Surprisingly, they also posted a link to my website and ever since then, I have been receiving nasty comments via this website. I have allowed most of them to appear on the post because I think that they are quite telling. Later in the afternoon, the original forum topic on Anti-CNN was closed by the moderator who suggested that I was ignorant but that it was better to focus on the actual media reports. You can see this forum topic by clicking here.

This evening however, the topic of my blog post was revived by a member who posted a translation of it in Chinese. Three pages of insults directed at me in Chinese follow his initial thread. While the moderator was uncomfortable with allowing the discussion about my article to proceed in English, the forum topic in Chinese has thus far not been closed. Since early this afternoon, I have also received a number of nasty comments via my website. I have allowed some of these comments to show up on my blog because I think that they are indicative of the general feeling in China.

I am not complaining. I never would have dreamed that my post would attract so much attention. My site has been inundated with hits from around the world thanks to the person who posted the article. While I do not necessarily appreciate some of the personal attacks being leveled at me, I am just happy that my article is being read.

However, I am sad to observe how my words and phrases are twisted to make it seem that I am demeaning the Chinese people. I wrote in the article that it surprised me how perfect the English appeared on the Anti-CNN website. Compared to other ‘English’ Chinese sites, the grammar and spelling were surprisingly excellent. I simply asked if perhaps there were more participants in the creation of the website than just a “few students in Beijing.” For writing this, I was accused of suggesting that Chinese people cannot speak English well and that I think that they are stupid. Of course, nothing could be farther from the truth. There are many Chinese people who I have encountered who speak excellent English. I was simply making a comparison between their website and other websites within the PRC.

Mainly however, the naysayers are labeling me as “brainwashed”, “ignorant”, and “arrogant.” My feelings are not hurt. I suppose that we are all brainwashed to a certain extent by our respective governments and media outlets. I have also used the term “brainwashed” to describe the Chinese people’s addiction to their government media outlets. I suppose that “ignorant” and “arrogant” often go hand-in-hand and while I would to think that I am “informed” and “humble” I accept the criticism with an open mind.

I knew that my opinion would not be popular in China when I wrote the article. I am glad that the Chinese people feel so free to express their disagreement with my point of view. I just wish that it could be done with more civility. While I used strong words in my article, at no time did I direct any insults at the Chinese People. I have great respect for the history and the culture of this ancient land and I love its people. I just hope that someday the hysteria which has appeared in these days leading up the Olympics can be replaced with an open and helpful dialogue.

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