I am always dubious of people who claim they have nothing against “the people of <country>” just the government. See it doesn’t fit with lived experience.
I get called upon to answer for every crime (real or imagined) of the Chinese government because I’m perceived as Chinese for these reasons:
I’m half-Chinese and my appearance leans very much toward my mother’s side.
I’m resident in China.
I don’t instantly leap up and criticize everything Chinese, nor do I instantly agree with ever criticism of China.
So I’m basically accused of being a Communist Party of China shill (despite, ironically, my not even being permitted to join the Party if I wanted to … which I don’t), being a “brainwashed” Chinese citizen, despite holding a Canadian passport—and never another—for about half a century, and in general treated with contempt and suspicion.
Despite, you know, “nothing against any Chinese”.
So … perhaps you’re the exception to the observed rule? But I won’t be putting myself on the line to test it. I’ve got well over half a century of testing completed.
edited to add
I have the perfect parallel, actually. Fundamentalist Christians who babble about “love the sinner, hate the sin”. Their actions constantly belie their pretty words. Same for “love the <insert national citizen>, hate the <nation> government” crowd.
I don’t really know to respond to this. You’re projecting things onto me that I can not defend against without divulging too much about my personal life.
And I also don’t mean to invalidate your experience. I do not doubt that you have gone through that countless times. Nothing I can say can convince you that I’m sincere. And why should it?
But that leaves me in a weird place. Should I have said nothing? Just criticize a government and make no statement on its average citizens? Assume the sentiment will be implicit? I’m not comfortable with such assumptions on the modern internet unfortunately. I’m not happy with the state of things either.
But I strive to form my own opinions and always see the individual. Whether you can recognize or trust that or not I feel I have to go on that path.
I appreciate your input. Even if, or especially because, it led me to think a lot.
I am always dubious of people who claim they have nothing against “the people of <country>” just the government. See it doesn’t fit with lived experience.
I get called upon to answer for every crime (real or imagined) of the Chinese government because I’m perceived as Chinese for these reasons:
So I’m basically accused of being a Communist Party of China shill (despite, ironically, my not even being permitted to join the Party if I wanted to … which I don’t), being a “brainwashed” Chinese citizen, despite holding a Canadian passport—and never another—for about half a century, and in general treated with contempt and suspicion.
Despite, you know, “nothing against any Chinese”.
So … perhaps you’re the exception to the observed rule? But I won’t be putting myself on the line to test it. I’ve got well over half a century of testing completed.
edited to add
I have the perfect parallel, actually. Fundamentalist Christians who babble about “love the sinner, hate the sin”. Their actions constantly belie their pretty words. Same for “love the <insert national citizen>, hate the <nation> government” crowd.
I don’t really know to respond to this. You’re projecting things onto me that I can not defend against without divulging too much about my personal life.
And I also don’t mean to invalidate your experience. I do not doubt that you have gone through that countless times. Nothing I can say can convince you that I’m sincere. And why should it?
But that leaves me in a weird place. Should I have said nothing? Just criticize a government and make no statement on its average citizens? Assume the sentiment will be implicit? I’m not comfortable with such assumptions on the modern internet unfortunately. I’m not happy with the state of things either.
But I strive to form my own opinions and always see the individual. Whether you can recognize or trust that or not I feel I have to go on that path.
I appreciate your input. Even if, or especially because, it led me to think a lot.