Heavy | Mo Tiancheng: Why do minorities "climb the stairs" when they integrate into American society?

(Question about things) Heavy | Mo Tiancheng: Why do minorities "climb the stairs" when they integrate into American society?

　　China News Service, Beijing, May 19th. Title: Mo Tiancheng: Why do minorities "climb the stairs" as they integrate into American society?

　　China News Agency reporter Luo Haibing

　　Since the global COVID-19 pandemic has raged, the "white supremacy" racism in the United States has revived, causing Asian Americans to suffer a new round of racial discrimination.

Looking back in history, from Irish immigrants, Scottish immigrants to European immigrants, Asian immigrants... Minorities have all suffered from a history of inequality in the United States, but they still hope that through their own efforts and struggles, they will climb the mountain and integrate into the American society.

Mo Tiancheng, former Auditor General of the US Department of the Treasury and Chief Financial Officer of the Bush Administration’s Labor Department, recently accepted an exclusive interview with China News Service, "Ask for East and West", and shared his thoughts based on his experience and observations from restaurant waiters to politics after immigrating to the United States : How should ethnic minorities integrate into American society?

Mo Tiancheng.

Photo courtesy of me

China News Agency reporter: You immigrated to the United States when you were young, while you were working and studying, and finally through your personal efforts, you entered the mainstream of the United States.

Based on your experience, what do you think of Chinese Americans and other minorities in the United States through their own struggle and growth to integrate into American society and bring a positive impact to American society?

Mo Tiancheng:

This question is very good. It is not flat. It should be answered three-dimensionally from three different perspectives.

　　The first is the habitual attitude of the United States towards new immigrants, the second is the issue of race, and the third is whether the behavior and lifestyle of immigrants after arriving in the United States can be integrated into mainstream society.

These three aspects together constitute a three-dimensional answer.

　　First of all, since the founding of the United States, it has always looked down on new immigrants, and it has been especially bad for them.

This is a cultural issue. The British who arrived first at the founding of the nation looked down on Irish and Scottish immigrants, thinking that they were sub-class people.

Later Irish immigrants "climbed up the stairs", merged with the British and were accepted.

German immigrants were also discriminated against, and later discriminated against Italians, and then Jews... So if the integration into American society is compared to a staircase, after each race immigrated to the United States, they tried to climb upwards, and the people above stepped on the people below. This is the "customs and customs" of the United States.

A large number of Asians immigrated to the United States after the "Immigration Amendment Act" was promulgated in 1965. Before that, it was difficult for Asians to immigrate to the United States.

Therefore, the latest Asians who come to the United States today are at the lowest level of the stairs. We have to see the above situation from a macro perspective. This is the basic attitude of the United States towards new immigrants.

　　The second is the American view of colored people and non-colored people.

If you are a Scot, an Irish, or an Italian, a French, a Jew, you have all been discriminated against before, but they are all white.

For example, if a person was originally named McKinsey, he made up a British name called Smith, and he wears the same clothes as the British. When people in the society don't know where he comes from, he can hide in American circles.

The problem is that regardless of the fourth or fifth generation, people of the yellow race still have yellow skin and are still different. This is a racial issue.

Those white people who climbed up looked down not only of later whites, but even people of color.

Europeans have a prejudice against skin color. They think that white skin is more noble, and darker skin is hard work at the lower level.

Therefore, Asians nowadays are firstly new immigrants, and secondly, their skin is colored.

　　Third, immigrants from Europe before, including Jews, are of the same European culture despite being discriminated against. They have different languages ​​and religions, but their diet, behavior, and interpersonal relationships are all reflected in each other's culture.

For thousands of years, European wars and mutual emigration have allowed each other to know enough about each other.

It is easier for them to enter the mainstream society, and the mainstream society is more tolerant of them.

But the Chinese immigrating to the United States is different. Not only is the skin and language different, but the life and customs are also very different.

For example, in European restaurants, whether it is Italian or French, there is no difference from the outside. You have to look at the menu to know what it is.

But in Chinatown, there are roast duck, roast chicken, and pork hanging at the entrance of typical Chinese restaurants. Many places like to put live fish in fish tanks and cook them. Foreigners are not used to it, and the language and hygiene standards are different.

Looking at the historical background, the United States has established colonies in Asia, and it looks down upon the local Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans.

Therefore, if Asians come to work in the U.S., they will face serious class problems.

The pressure on Asian Asians today is the accumulation of all these problems.

　　But if you study American history, you will find that every race can climb to the top of the stairs.

I believe that one day there will be Chinese Americans elected as President or Vice President in the United States. It is only a matter of time.

But I hope that Asians, including Chinese, will not learn the bad habits of Europeans discriminating against new immigrants, but should thank them.

　　Say that America is tolerant, it's not that you are coming to hold me when I get off the plane.

Although American culture is tolerant, you have to pay the price first.

Before getting off the plane, you were beaten bloody, but you didn't leave, and you did it slowly. In the end, you will still go up and become one of them.

Many new immigrants do not understand this process.

I don't think this is right, but this is the process in the United States.

Data map: American New Yorkers dine in an old restaurant in Chinatown.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Liao Pan

Reporter from China News Service: You used to be the Auditor General of the Ministry of Finance of the Government. You know both the mainstream society and the grassroots people in the United States.

Which part of the American voice do you think the current discrimination against Chinese-Americans represents?

Is it mainstream society or ordinary people?

Mo Tiancheng: In

my personal opinion, the United States is now facing two big turning points, but it still needs to be observed where these two turning directions go.

　　First, in another 10 to 15 years, whites may become a minority in the United States. Many whites are afraid and angry.

Although I don't agree, I understand their ideas very well, because this country was created by their ancestors.

When they were developing the west, their ancestors were killed, starved, and died of illness by "red fans" (American Indians)... It was only after these experiences that the country was built.

　　The new immigrants have neither this kind of experience nor the way to experience it. In addition, many new immigrants are very wealthy and lead the lives of nouveau riche and rich.

Many white people are uncomfortable and even angry. Why are the countries that our ancestors beaten down by these people?

In addition, the black people protested all day and felt that the white people owed them, but the white people thought they still had to repay the debts that happened 100 years ago?

Therefore, American society faces very complicated racial issues, which are not easy to solve.

　　The second turning point comes from the fourth industrial revolution that has just begun.

In the first industrial revolution, Britain invented the steam engine and became a world power; the second industrial revolution was the invention and use of electricity, and Britain and the United States jointly led to become the leader; the third industrial revolution was the computer and the Internet, and the United States became the leader.

It is still unclear who will be the leader in the fourth industrial revolution, and it is now a Sino-US competition.

China now has a greater advantage because China's 5G and AI are ahead of the United States.

If China succeeds, China will become the leader of the fourth industrial revolution.

The Americans suddenly woke up now and were very scared.

Mo Tiancheng (middle) and Bush Sr. (right) took a group photo.

Photo courtesy of the interviewee

China News Agency reporter: You came to China very late. After three weeks, your impression of China has changed.

For the American people, is there a lack of understanding of China and the Chinese people?

Mo Tiancheng:

American society is very open and free. The legal provisions are clearly written and everyone can see it online. As long as you do things in accordance with the law, no one can stop you, including the President of the United States.

　　As a Chinese accountant, I have achieved a very high position in a company in the United States, but I will not stop. I also go to the Institute of Accountants to volunteer and serve them. When I was later elected as the president of the National Association of Accountants, all the white members agreed that I was one of them. The best, accept me as their leader.

This requires a process. I sacrificed a lot of my time. I didn't have time to go to karaoke or play mahjong at night. Instead, I spent it all on work and invested in myself.

Many Chinese people are not willing to make this kind of investment, and there is no gain.

　　Give another example.

My grandson is studying at an advanced Anglican high school in Washington, where many members of the Senate, House of Representatives, and even the children of the Vice President are studying there.

This school does not teach Chinese, and my grandson is probably the second batch of Chinese admitted, and no Chinese will be recruited thereafter.

Later, my daughter went to the school to volunteer. As part of the multicultural education activities, the school organized students to go to the Chinese Embassy to participate in Chinese New Year activities.

To help Americans better understand Chinese culture, the Chinese Embassy approved this trip.

Why do you want to do this, because every child affects 7 people, his parents, his grandfather and grandmother on both sides, and himself, those are the most "powerful" people in the United States.

The child went back to tell his parents about China, and the effect was very good. Later, the school organized a delegation with the Chinese Embassy and took their parents to China for a large circle. After returning, the school was the first in a century of history. Opened a Chinese class.

　　In terms of people-to-people exchanges, new immigrants from mainland China still lack this aspect.

Not only from mainland China, but many new immigrants from Asia are more concerned about "benefits" when doing things.

But the relationship between the two countries starts from these small places.

Data Map: The Tidal Lake in Washington, the capital of the United States.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Chen Mengtong

Reporter from China News Service: You have been engaged in consulting work. You have not only helped American companies explore the Asian market, but also helped Asian companies enter the American market, so that both parties can benefit from cross-border trade.

In your opinion, how should the globalization of the economy be promoted?

What role should China and the United States play?

Mo Tiancheng: It

’s impossible for American companies doing business with China to leave China, but the Chinese government and people should think more about how to do their jobs, and have more knowledge, understanding, and relationships with American companies doing business in China. They are China's best voice in the United States, and they are very important voices.

　　Economic globalization cannot be stopped, and it is now impossible for the United States to change it.

In the past, when the British textile industry did its best, it introduced laws to help monopolize the global textile industry, but it was defeated by India for a time.

The rifle used by Europeans when they developed colonies in the United States was not allowed to be given to local "red flank" (American Indians). Whoever gave it would be shot, and as a result, the "red flank" could still be obtained.

　　If the United States wants to take measures against Huawei, I think it is impossible to succeed.

Because of the path of economic globalization, sooner or later the whole world will go, but some go first, some go later, and some are pulled in, but it's just a matter of time.

Data map: On February 27, local time, hundreds of people participated in a rally against discrimination against Asians in San Mateo, San Francisco Bay Area, USA.

Recently, there have been many hate attacks against Asian elderly in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The initiator of the rally, 13-year-old local Chinese junior high school student Su Kaiying expressed the hope that people of all ethnic groups will unite and oppose hate crimes against Asians.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Liu Guanguan

China News Agency reporter: Under the current situation, how should the American people's irrational sentiment towards Chinese Americans be eliminated?

How to change the current situation of discrimination against Chinese Americans in the United States?

How do you see the future development of Sino-US relations?

　　Mo Tiancheng:

Give two examples.

There are two types of people in the United States that are not many, but his political power is very strong.

One group is black and the other group is Jewish.

　　It is a pity that Chinese Americans have very little contact with black Americans in the United States.

The black power in the U.S. Congress is very powerful. They have great respect for China and Chinese culture, and they are very curious.

　　Jews are more powerful in the United States.

China is one of the few countries in the world that has never discriminated against Jews. During the Second World War, the Chinese helped and protected Jews. Such stories were not promoted, were not made into movies, and no one went to talk to the United States. The Jews say that the Jews do not know.

The Jews are nostalgic. Some people have saved them, and they are still grateful to this day.

　　Black people are very important, Jews are very important, and our next generation-native Chinese Americans are even more important.

For example, Israel’s greatest strength in the United States is their native Jews, not the immigrant Jews. Their speech power is different.

There is still a lot of work for Chinese Americans to do in these areas.

　　Of course, compared to the first time I went to China, it is incredible now.

But I think the prospects for China and the United States will improve, so don't worry too much.

The development of Sino-US relations has been one wave after another in history, and this will always pass.

China News Agency reporter: According to your experience and experience, is there really a "civilized conflict" between American society and Chinese society?

Do the historical traditions, cultural customs, and institutional systems of the two countries have something in common?

　　Mo Tiancheng:

China has a splendid culture for thousands of years, with Confucius, and a cultural foundation for thousands of years.

But the United States is different from China. American culture is like a big pie, and new things are often added to it. This pie becomes different every 15 years.

When people talk about American culture, I often ask which era it is?

If it is American culture 100 years ago, it is all white.

American culture began to have some colors 50 years ago.

The current American culture is not only multi-color, but also same-sex and so on.

Therefore, American culture has been constantly evolving, not fixed.

According to a report published by the US Department of Commerce, it is estimated that white Americans may become a minority in another 15 years. This is a big change.

The United States is a country of immigrants, and newcomers are constantly coming, changing the colors, the market, and the American culture.

　　Cultural differences between China and the United States will always exist and are difficult to change.

The United States has no right to demand that China change its own culture, nor does China have the right to demand that the United States use Chinese culture as its foundation.

Both parties must stand on the side of the other, understand each other's ideas, and not impose their own ideas on each other.

　　Although the clash of civilizations exists, they are not without common ground.

At present, China and the United States share common ground in addressing climate change, counter-terrorism, and population aging.

Now the leaders of the two countries are very wise. They try their best to spend time on common ground, cooperate and trust each other, and do not waste time on unsolvable problems.

(Finish)