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I was sitting by a young Chinese man, about 18 years old, attending a private school in Cali, he lived there with his mom, he was on his way to China to visit h
by sonnyblarney 8y ago
I was sitting by a young Chinese man, about 18 years old, attending a private school in Cali, he lived there with his mom, he was on his way to China to visit his father.
I asked him about 'state media control' and he said "well, you know, someone could just, you know, get a knife and start stabbing people!" which was his justification for all the control.
I asked him, while we waiting for CalTrain ... 'do you feel safe right now?' he said 'sure'.
The paradox is uncanny.
- pishpash 8y agoThat's because there had been religiously motivated knife attacks at the Kunming train station in 2014, and much worse in Xinjiang in 2008-2009. Not saying that's right, but people's minds change, as they would for 9/11.
- anonu 8y agoGenerally speaking, people become defensive about their home country. For an American, it is strange to see people want to come to the USA, benefit from the economy, educational institutions, etc... Yet, if you bring up anything about the poor state of human rights or democracy in their home country they will naturally become 1. defensive and 2. bring up some form of "whatabout" argument against the USA.
- sonnyblarney 8y agoSome more than others. Pride and face-saving countries, yes. I'm from Canada, I like it, and it's great in many ways, but I'll be happy to tell you all the ways that it's wonky.