China bashing comes out of demonization of China and does China and the world no good.

Part of China’s cultural identity today is the humiliation she suffered before and during the two world wars. Colonialism has left its scares and despite China’s growing economy, memories of colonial past still hunt her. When foreigners assume a superior stance and criticize China seemingly without compassion or understanding, Chinese people perceive the criticism as malevolent attacks. Western media with its western biases control the podium in the int’l arena of public opinion. Western preferences, values, and tastes are taken as the assumed standard in judging the rest of the world. This has been the case since the 19th century with British world dominance and the 20th cntury with American world dominance. I think we are entering into an age of more egalitarian power sharing and multi-culturalism. Cultural sensitivity is something we all need to cultivate.

China bashing comes out of demonization of China and does China and the world no good.

Part of China’s cultural identity today is the humiliation she suffered before and during the two world wars. Colonialism has left its scares and despite China’s growing economy, memories of colonial past still hunt her. When foreigners assume a superior stance and criticize China seemingly without compassion or understanding, Chinese people perceive the criticism as malevolent attacks. Western media with its western biases control the podium in the int’l arena of public opinion. Western preferences, values, and tastes are taken as the assumed standard in judging the rest of the world. This has been the case since the 19th century with British world dominance and the 20th cntury with American world dominance. I think we are entering into an age of more egalitarian power sharing and multi-culturalism. Cultural sensitivity is something we all need to cultivate.

The other point was that when it comes to judging a culture different than our own which we’re not familiar with we should approach with extreme caution. Especially when we decide for others how they should live and what they should do. Applying general stereotypes to a culture or a country suggesting that we know better is a very problematic attitude. We, the foreigners, simply do that ALL the time.

Stories should be told, observations should be shared, Harney has my greatest appreciation for the work she’s done in bringing those stories out into the open, but when it comes to judgment and criticism we are to try and realize that the situation might be a bit more complex – as she does at times try and point out. Reinforcing stereotypes is easy, trying to see things objectively is far more difficult.

The other point was that when it comes to judging a culture different than our own which we’re not familiar with we should approach with extreme caution. Especially when we decide for others how they should live and what they should do. Applying general stereotypes to a culture or a country suggesting that we know better is a very problematic attitude. We, the foreigners, simply do that ALL the time.

Stories should be told, observations should be shared, Harney has my greatest appreciation for the work she’s done in bringing those stories out into the open, but when it comes to judgment and criticism we are to try and realize that the situation might be a bit more complex – as she does at times try and point out. Reinforcing stereotypes is easy, trying to see things objectively is far more difficult.

An MBA student learns that the Chinese economy is built on the backs of low-wage workers who don’t have freedom of association, assembly or speech and immediately “feels bothered” — not for the exploited workers but for himself.

“Foreigners” (a precise concept indeed) shouldn’t be calling things as they see them. Instead, each will be permitted to speak only after his or her own country has been graded on a random group of metrics.

If you want to make the argument that Alexandra Harney is a hypocrite for writing a book about exploitation, let’s hear it, rather than about your discomfit.

On the other hand, if you’re “bothered” by the idea that business, like life, just occasionally requires moral choices, a career running Dongguan sweatshops awaits you.