For homework I had asked you to look up the two words Nationalism and Patriotism so we could talk about the differences in meaning.
It was very good to see that most of you had completely grasped [understood] the difference without any help from me. The reason I asked you to do this is because many people do not seem to understand the difference. They think that because a person can see things that could be improved or changed within their society they are being unpatriotic or disloyal to their country.
There is a particular Australian blog which I regularly contribute to on which, if anyone voices any criticism of Australia there is a whole group of people who immediately jump in and accuse such persons of being "un-Australian". So you see, the difference is unclear to many people.
We talked about particular times in history when whole countries had been taken over by a spirit of Nationalism which led to some truly horrific things being done under the name of Patriotism - whereas, if people had actually shown patriotism to their country they wouldn't have allowed such terrible things to happen.
Another reason that it is important to know the difference is because true patriotism is wanting what is best for ones country - even if it means admitting that some things need to change. A country, just like a person, can never advance or improve if people do not admit there is a problem to begin with. This is certainly not showing disloyalty but is indeed wanting one's country, or lover/friend/child etc. to be the very best they can be.
Many of the problems around the world - not to mention wars and invasions - happen because people do not see that they are getting these two things mixed up.
This led on to talking about cultural differences. It is very natural for us all to look at things from our own viewpoint. In fact, some people go through their entire lives looking at things this way. But it is important that, as educated people, we realise that there are two different view-points to every area of conflict: whether it's a fight with your boy/girlfriend, or with another country.
Not being able to look at things from a different point of view can lead to a complete breakdown in communication. In our private lives this can lead to divorces or break ups, and from a wider view, it can lead to wars and hatred. But if we can put ourselves in someone else's shoes [see someones elses view or point] we can avoid misunderstandings or conflict.
However, in order to truly see how someone else thinks, we have to know something about that person. To see how another nation or culture thinks then, we have to know something about that nation or culture. Since the Reform and Opening thirty years ago, the world has gradually been learning more and more about China. It is important too that China learns more about the rest of the world.
We are really lucky these days that we have the Internet. For anyone who has access to a computer there is no excuse not to learn more about the things taking place in the world around us, and to understand why those things are happening.
We took as an example the current news concerning French intentions to auction the Chinese artifacts that came into their possession during the Opium Wars. It is only natural that, from a Chinese viewpoint this is a case of theft and that, therefore that theft must be made good. In fact for many people the issue is very clear and they view the French refusal to give back these things as being aggressive, dishonest, and very disrespectful to China.
Hopefully, no matter what your opinion is on this matter, at least some of you now know why France is refusing to give in to China's demands. This has nothing at all to do with being unfriendly or nasty to China: it is simply because, from their point of view, the issue is very clear and they have every right to refuse.
Warfare in Europe and other countries was and is governed by International laws. Of course, over time these laws change but at the time they are known and understood by the international community. There is, for example, an International agreement that torture of prisoners is not allowed. Of course we learn often that this law has been broken - the issue of Guantanamo Bay prison is a recent example. But, while these laws exist any country who defies them know they must pay the consequences. Which is why Guantanamo Bay is now being being reformed.
At the time of the Opium Wars it was considered that the spoils of war (rewards, treasures) went to the victor (winner). As Western countries have been engaging in wars against each other for centuries this has meant that Indian things have ended up in England, French things have gone to Germany...in fact half the things in museums around the world got there not from being bought or donated, but as a result of wars. If all the universities, museums, families in the world were to trace back the original owners and return goods that arrived as a result of war they would be half empty.
Once again, this knowledge may not change a person's decision on what should happen - but it does help to understand the reasons behind why the two parties feel as they do. Only by understanding each other will we ever be able to achieve harmony.
Whatever the decision, as a couple of wise students said: - nothing will change the fact that those artifacts show the beauty and skill of Chinese . And, no matter where in the world they are, as long as they exist they are proof of the glories of China's past. Simply by existing, such beautiful things can make one proud of China! This is a truly patriotic way to look at the whole disagreement!
It was very good to see that most of you had completely grasped [understood] the difference without any help from me. The reason I asked you to do this is because many people do not seem to understand the difference. They think that because a person can see things that could be improved or changed within their society they are being unpatriotic or disloyal to their country.
There is a particular Australian blog which I regularly contribute to on which, if anyone voices any criticism of Australia there is a whole group of people who immediately jump in and accuse such persons of being "un-Australian". So you see, the difference is unclear to many people.
We talked about particular times in history when whole countries had been taken over by a spirit of Nationalism which led to some truly horrific things being done under the name of Patriotism - whereas, if people had actually shown patriotism to their country they wouldn't have allowed such terrible things to happen.
Another reason that it is important to know the difference is because true patriotism is wanting what is best for ones country - even if it means admitting that some things need to change. A country, just like a person, can never advance or improve if people do not admit there is a problem to begin with. This is certainly not showing disloyalty but is indeed wanting one's country, or lover/friend/child etc. to be the very best they can be.
Many of the problems around the world - not to mention wars and invasions - happen because people do not see that they are getting these two things mixed up.
This led on to talking about cultural differences. It is very natural for us all to look at things from our own viewpoint. In fact, some people go through their entire lives looking at things this way. But it is important that, as educated people, we realise that there are two different view-points to every area of conflict: whether it's a fight with your boy/girlfriend, or with another country.
Not being able to look at things from a different point of view can lead to a complete breakdown in communication. In our private lives this can lead to divorces or break ups, and from a wider view, it can lead to wars and hatred. But if we can put ourselves in someone else's shoes [see someones elses view or point] we can avoid misunderstandings or conflict.
However, in order to truly see how someone else thinks, we have to know something about that person. To see how another nation or culture thinks then, we have to know something about that nation or culture. Since the Reform and Opening thirty years ago, the world has gradually been learning more and more about China. It is important too that China learns more about the rest of the world.
We are really lucky these days that we have the Internet. For anyone who has access to a computer there is no excuse not to learn more about the things taking place in the world around us, and to understand why those things are happening.
We took as an example the current news concerning French intentions to auction the Chinese artifacts that came into their possession during the Opium Wars. It is only natural that, from a Chinese viewpoint this is a case of theft and that, therefore that theft must be made good. In fact for many people the issue is very clear and they view the French refusal to give back these things as being aggressive, dishonest, and very disrespectful to China.
Hopefully, no matter what your opinion is on this matter, at least some of you now know why France is refusing to give in to China's demands. This has nothing at all to do with being unfriendly or nasty to China: it is simply because, from their point of view, the issue is very clear and they have every right to refuse.
Warfare in Europe and other countries was and is governed by International laws. Of course, over time these laws change but at the time they are known and understood by the international community. There is, for example, an International agreement that torture of prisoners is not allowed. Of course we learn often that this law has been broken - the issue of Guantanamo Bay prison is a recent example. But, while these laws exist any country who defies them know they must pay the consequences. Which is why Guantanamo Bay is now being being reformed.
At the time of the Opium Wars it was considered that the spoils of war (rewards, treasures) went to the victor (winner). As Western countries have been engaging in wars against each other for centuries this has meant that Indian things have ended up in England, French things have gone to Germany...in fact half the things in museums around the world got there not from being bought or donated, but as a result of wars. If all the universities, museums, families in the world were to trace back the original owners and return goods that arrived as a result of war they would be half empty.
Once again, this knowledge may not change a person's decision on what should happen - but it does help to understand the reasons behind why the two parties feel as they do. Only by understanding each other will we ever be able to achieve harmony.
Whatever the decision, as a couple of wise students said: - nothing will change the fact that those artifacts show the beauty and skill of Chinese . And, no matter where in the world they are, as long as they exist they are proof of the glories of China's past. Simply by existing, such beautiful things can make one proud of China! This is a truly patriotic way to look at the whole disagreement!
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