Recent days, a video shared by a Chinese student studying in the United States on social media in mainland China has shed light on a different perspective of America. Under years of anti-American education by the Chinese Communist Party, the image of America portrayed in China is one of gun violence, homelessness, and racial discrimination.
In the video, the student discusses three key realizations that have overturned her perceptions since coming to the U.S. Firstly, she emphasizes that life is not limited to a single trajectory and that everyone has endless possibilities. From witnessing a mother attending classes with her child to a blind classmate listening and taking exams after school and a 30-year-old engineer embarking on a new journey in environmental science after resigning, she emphasizes that removing self-imposed limitations is key to restarting life.
Secondly, she highlights the importance of experiencing the world before forming opinions. Contrary to her initial fears of encountering gun violence, homelessness, and racial discrimination in the U.S., she found kindness in an elderly couple who became her host family, dispelling her sense of loneliness in America. This led her to realize the importance of not letting stereotypes hinder the exploration of the world.
Thirdly, she emphasizes that life is a game of experiences. Drawing examples from her host family, she mentions how her grandfather had tried over twenty different jobs before deciding to become a police officer for life. Reflecting on her own journey from agricultural studies in China to being admitted to a top university in the U.S., she acknowledges the endless possibilities that life offers.
Her story has resonated with many Chinese immigrants who have experienced life in mainland China. Whether long-time professionals living in the U.S. or recent immigrants, they have all witnessed a different side of America through their own experiences, countering the narrative perpetuated by China’s state media.
Contrary to the constant portrayal of America in Chinese official narratives – focusing on gun violence, homelessness, and racial discrimination – individuals like Wang Xiang, a Chinese student in the U.S., share their reality of not experiencing gun violence and encountering homelessness by choice, demonstrating America’s tolerance and diversity.
Having been in the U.S. for several years, Wang Xiang notes the absence of systemic racial discrimination in his experiences and highlights the legal protections available in America against hate speech and discrimination. Similarly, high school student Zhang Lufan, who recently arrived in the U.S., reflects on feeling safe in America compared to the perceived insecurity in China due to recent events like the Dongting Lake dam breach.
In China, discrimination prevails across various social levels due to the presence of the Chinese Communist Party’s privileged class, especially evident in workplace discrimination. Contrasting this, individuals like Wang Xiang affirm the respect shown towards manual labor workers in the U.S., a stark difference from the prevalent disrespect in China.
American society values kindness, inclusivity, and responsibility, in contrast to the narrative of strength through materialism often perpetuated in China. The emphasis on environmental protection, community engagement, and volunteerism in the U.S. stands in contrast to the stifling of foreign cultures and limitations on humanitarian efforts in China.
Reflecting on their experiences in America, Chinese immigrants appreciate the friendliness, respect for diverse cultures, and emphasis on individual liberties in the U.S. These aspects manifest in daily interactions, social media culture, and public services, creating a stark comparison to the constraints of expression and societal norms in China.
The freedom of expression, constitutional protections, and emphasis on individual agency in America offer a stark contrast to the restrictions and lack of political engagement experienced in China, where the government controls public discourse and stifles dissent.
The simplistic yet sincere mindset of Americans, their emphasis on individuality, and the genuine respect for laws and regulations create a culture of trust and accountability that stands out to individuals like Zhang Lufan, who notes the empowering environment in America that encourages personal growth and self-expression.
In China, where personal freedoms and choices are limited by the system, the flexibility of changing majors or professions at will in the U.S. strikes a chord with individuals like Xie Tian, who saw the transition from a restrictive academic system to an open and liberal environment in the U.S. as a liberating experience.
The strong sense of community, dedication to public service, and respect for individual freedoms in America foster an environment where innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship thrive. The inclusivity, encouragement of diversity, and celebration of uniqueness in American society contrast with the conformity and limitations imposed by the Chinese regime.
Living in America provides individuals like Geng Lutao with the freedom to pursue their dreams and shape their lives according to their aspirations, a stark contrast to the limited choices and opportunities available in China. This sense of personal agency and self-determination is a hallmark of American society.
In conclusion, the firsthand experiences and reflections of Chinese immigrants in America paint a vivid picture of a different reality from the narrative perpetuated by Chinese official media and government propaganda. By embracing open-mindedness, sincerity, and kindness, individuals like the student in the video have discovered a broad space of liberty and opportunity in America, diverging from the constraints and limitations imposed by the Chinese Communist Party’s closed-off ideology and control.