(这个好像跟海二代有联系？）
Proud to be born an Overseas
Chinese
Agree with it or not - interesting
reading on overseas Chinese.
Proud to be
born a Chinese. Each an every race has their own Pride and so long as they
do not infringe into others' right, I
don't see any problem of them taking their own PRIDE, wonder why the
Malaysian politicians are so taboo about this?Why do Chinese people work so hard to succeed in
life? Here is the plain truth.
#1. There are
over 1 billion of us on this earth. We are like Photostat copies of each
other. You get rid of one, 5 magically appears (like ballot boxes). Yes,
it is scary, especially for us. We acknowledge that we are replaceable, thus we
are not particularly 'special'. If you think you are smart, there are a few thousand more people smarter
than you. If you think you are strong, there are a few thousand people
stronger than you.
#2. We have
been crawling all over this earth for far more centuries that most
civilizations. Our DNA is
designed for survival. We are
like cockroaches. Put us anywhere on earth and we will make a colony and
thrive. We survive on anything around us and make the best of it. Some keep migrating but others
will stay and multiply.
#3. NOBODY
cares if we succeed as individuals or not. But our families take pride in knowing we have
succeeded. Yes, some will fail. We take nothing for
granted. We don't expect
privileges to fall on our laps. No one owes us anything.
#4. We know we
have nothing to lose if we try to succeed. Thus, we have no fear trying. That is why Chinese are addicted to gambling. We
thrive on taking risks. All or nothing.
#5. From young
we are taught to count every cent. What we take for granted like money
management, I have found out recently, is not something other cultures
practice at home with their children. It surprised me. But truth is not
all societies or cultures teach their young this set of skills because it
is rude to them. Yes, most of us can count because we are forced to and
the logic of money is pounded into us from the beginning of time (when
mama tells us how much she has spent on our milk and diapers)
#6. We acknowledge life
cycles. We accept that wealth
in a family stays for three generations (urban myth?). Thus, every
4th generation will have to work from scratch. I.e. first generation earns the money from
scratch, second generation spends the money on education, third generation
gets spoiled and wastes all the inheritance. Then we are back to square
one. Some families hang on to their wealth a little longer than
most.
#7. It is our
culture to push our next generation to do better than the last. Be
smarter. Be stronger. Be faster. Be more righteous. Be more pious.
Be more innovative. Be more creative. Be richer. Be everything that you
can be in this lifetime. Be KIASU. ('fear of losing').
#8. Our society judges us by our
achievements... and we have no
choice but to do something worthwhile because Chinese New Year comes
around every year and Chinese relatives have no qualms about asking you
straight in your face - how much are you making? When was your last
promotion? How big is your office? What car do you drive? Where do you
stay? You have boyfriend? You have girlfriend? When are you getting
married? When are you having children? When is the next child? When you
getting a boy? Got maid yet? Does your company send you overseas? etc.
etc. etc. It NEVER ENDS... so, we can't stop chasing
the illusive train - we are damned to a materialistic
society. If you are not
Chinese, consider yourself lucky!
#9. We have
been taught from young - if you have two hands, two feet, two eyes, and a
mouth, what are you doing with it? People with no hands can do better than
you (and the OKU artists do put us to shame)
#10.
Ironically, the Chinese also believe in giving back to save their wretched
materialistic souls. Balance is needed. The more their children succeed in
life, the more our parents will give back to society (not for profit) as
gratitude for the good fortune bestowed on their children. Yes. That is
true. And that is why our society progresses forward in all
conditions.
Nobody pities
us. We accept that.
No one owes us
anything. We know that.
There are too
many of us for charity to reach all of us.
We acknowledge
that.
But that does
not stop us from making a better life.
This
lifetime.
Opportunity is as we make of
it.
So, pardon us
if we feel obliged to make a better place for ourselves in this country we
call home. It is in our DNA to progress forward for a more comfortable
life.
But if history
were to be our teacher, look around this globe.
Every country has a Chinatown
(seriously) but how many government/countries are 'taken' over by the
Chinese people.
Don't be afraid
of us overwhelming your majority, we are not looking to conquer. If we
have moved away from China and Chinese governed countries, we are NOT
looking for another country to administer. Our representatives are only
there to look after our collective welfare. They are duty bound. We prefer
to blend in and enjoy the fruits of our labor. We enjoy the company of
like minded people of all races. After all, we are only passing through a
small period in the history of time... so, use our skills and we can all
progress forward together.
Chan-Lui Lee
Ph.D.
Honorary Life
Member & Past President, AFS
Melbourne,
Australia
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