My personal awakening to the complexities of national narratives began during my early years of life spent in the bustling southern city of China. I belonged to the majority Han population and was comfortably ensconced within the cultural and socio-political milieu of my city. Lacking the substantial interaction with individuals from China's northwestern provinces, I embraced the grand narratives that regions like Xinjiang and Tibet are the integral parts of China-- a belief that we need to accept without question.
However, my perspective was jolted when I encountered an event at my school involving the "Snow Lion Flag". It was a stark revelation that the nationalistic narrative I had grown up with might not represent the full picture. The incident hinted at the undercurrents of other narratives—stories of oppression that were submerged beneath the officially propagated truths.
During this event, I was confronted with the painful reality of oppression by a Tibetan student who narrated harrowing tales of her relatives' experiences and the denial of the right of Tibetan children to learn their language. I initially grappled with a wave of disbelief, questioning the validity of these narratives. Yet, I couldn't ignore the dawning understanding that my position as part of China's majority Han population bestowed upon me certain privileges. Regrettably, the campus event ended without any tangible change, leaving me grappling with a sense of guilt and a perplexing introspection.
Over the past one or two years, my exposure to various Black Lives Matter protests offered a broader perspective on social struggles. Through engaging conversations with non-African American friends actively participating in these movements, I came to understand their motivations. They were not directly affected, yet they stood in solidarity because they believed that uplifting one oppressed group would lead to progress for all marginalized communities. Inspired by this sentiment, I found myself participating in my company's anti-racism and anti-bias initiatives.
I acknowledged the importance of Awareness as the first step towards change.
I remained unsure about the path forward. That's when Clubhouse, an online platform fostering open discussions, appeared like a beacon, guiding my journey of introspection. It offered me a space to venture beyond grand narratives and delve into the realm of "individual experiences".
I spent four hours listening to the "Xinjiang Group" on Clubhouse, hearing dozen Xinjiang Uyghurs sharing their personal experiences. Their narratives drew together a vivid, often unsettling, picture of their realities. One narrative spoke of the obligation for every Uighur family to send a member for re-education in 2018. Another told of how funds used to purchase a house in Australia were tagged as contributions to terrorism by the government. While it's not for me to pass judgment on the worthiness of these justifications, it was clear that these stories touched me deeply.
The words that resonated with me the deepest came from a Uighur woman studying at Harvard Law School. She brought forth an insightful perspective stating that, if approached correctly by the authorities, Xinjiang could serve as a vital conduit connecting China and the regions of Pakistan. This would leverage its cultural diversity and promote harmony, leading to an economically cohesive society across different ethnic groups. Yet, the present government's 'one size fits all' approach, although efficient, has resulted in significant harm to many individuals. She continuously emphasized that sharing these Xinjiang stories requires immense courage, as it carries potential risks and personal costs. She invited listeners to appreciate all these personal narrative and think of being better allies to each other.
"Ally"- the word that presents a bond that connects the Han individual with the minority individual. Imagine if we continued to exchange and process countless dialogues akin to the discussion we had that day. This could pave the way for richer firsthand experiences, enhance understanding of the influence of varying life events on people's thoughts, and enable us to see the person in front of us as an individual, not merely a 'label' attached to an ethnic group. We are not adversaries but allies in a joint endeavor to resist systemic oppression. For the Han people, this perspective-taking practice not only reveals previously unheard stories, but also brings us authentic voices, amidst tears and emotions, and shatters the deep-rooted stereotype of "Xinjiang = Terrorism." For the Uighurs, this dialogue can serve as a platform that provides them with greater strength, support, and the knowledge that even though perfect empathy might be hard to achieve, many people from the ethnic majority stand in solidarity with them.
This dialogue could be a discomforting experience for many Han people. The confrontation to this uneasy topic acknowledged one's previous ignorance. As Huma rightly mentioned in his article, "Facing the Xinjiang crisis, what can an ordinary person do in 2020?"
Most of us suffer from a kind of learned helplessness when it comes to politics. Past events, no matter how impactful they might have been, often fade into obscurity, leaving behind a trail of "dead ends."
As members of the dominant ethnic group and the primary beneficiaries of state policies, we cannot afford to become desensitized to the pain and suffering around us. While it's easy to feel dwarfed by the magnitude of systemic issues, I firmly believe in the power of minor actions – they do matter. This idea, in essence, brings us back to the question I posed earlier before,
"Raising awareness is undoubtedly the first step to change the broader environment. But what should be the next step?"
Currently, my view is that it's okay not to have a clear 'next step' or an ultimate solution. Our urgent desire for a solution may have been rash from the start. The continual interaction and communication among individuals carry tremendous significance. Listen carefully to those expressions that differ from your views, pay attention to the content that makes you uncomfortable. These stories and ideas will eventually one day foster changes in thoughts and actions. Telling those who are in the most pain, "I see you," may just be one of their sources of motivation to move forward.
Setting politics aside momentarily, it's impossible to ignore the numerous, harsh realities that we are confronted with daily. Wealth disparities, gender inequality, children unable to receive education, and elderly people not being taken care of, among others...They are reminders of how far we are from the utopian ideal where justice prevails, good is rewarded, evil is punished, and every individual is treated equally. Such a world of perfect balance and fairness seems only feasible in works of fiction. This is harsh, but we need to recognize that the world sucks! As the quote from Huma beautifully articulates,
"Please do not shy away. Do not avert your gaze. Being stung by absurdity is your most basic moral obligation as an ordinary person living in 2020."
Being stung by these absurdities, feeling the discomfort they bring, is the first step towards this. It is a call to action for us to acknowledge these issues, speak up against them, and take whatever steps we can to make the world a better place, no matter how small these steps may seem.