American Stereotypes of China
US writer Todd C. Ames concludes his two-part discussion of the ways in which Chinese and Americans think of each other, and the most common misunderstandings that arise
AMERICANS don't know much about China. What they do know comes from three main sources: movies, the news, and history classes. This can be a sensitive subject, and I do not wish to offend anyone - my goal is only to give you an overview of American stereotypes of China.
Just as I have encountered many stereotypes that the Chinese have of America (some accurate, some absurd, some insulting), one can similarly encounter American stereotypes of China in the US.
- All Chinese know kungfu and dress like Huang Feihong. (Source: Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and Bruce Lee [Li Xiaolong] movies).
- Anything to do with China is "ancient" and "mysterious." (Source: the fact that Chinese language seems to be made up of "mysterious symbols" to Western eyes, movies about Chinese history).
- All Chinese are "brainwashed" into worshipping Chairman Mao and can't think independently. (Source: studying the Cultural Revolution in high school history classes.)
- "Guangdonghua" (Cantonese) is the official language of China. (Source: Hong Kong movies, Chinese-American immigrants who came to the US from Guangdong and Hong Kong during the 19th and 20th centuries).
- Chinese culture is basically the same today as it was 1,000 years ago (eg, "traditional, conservative, polite," etc.). (Source: studying Chinese history without being familiar with modern China).
- In China, no one can express any idea that isn't approved by Chairman Mao - if you do express an "unapproved" idea, you will be instantly sent to jail or shot. (Source: studying the "cultural revolution" (1966-76)in high school history classes, the events of 1989 in Beijing).
- Chinese (and all "Asians") are good at maths. (Source: I don't know).
- China and Japan are basically the same. (Source: ignorance).
- "Asian" women are generally subservient to men,
AMERICANS don't know much about China. What they do know comes from three main sources: movies, the news, and history classes. This can be a sensitive subject, and I do not wish to offend anyone - my goal is only to give you an overview of American stereotypes of China.
Just as I have encountered many stereotypes that the Chinese have of America (some accurate, some absurd, some insulting), one can similarly encounter American stereotypes of China in the US.
- All Chinese know kungfu and dress like Huang Feihong. (Source: Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and Bruce Lee [Li Xiaolong] movies).
- Anything to do with China is "ancient" and "mysterious." (Source: the fact that Chinese language seems to be made up of "mysterious symbols" to Western eyes, movies about Chinese history).
- All Chinese are "brainwashed" into worshipping Chairman Mao and can't think independently. (Source: studying the Cultural Revolution in high school history classes.)
- "Guangdonghua" (Cantonese) is the official language of China. (Source: Hong Kong movies, Chinese-American immigrants who came to the US from Guangdong and Hong Kong during the 19th and 20th centuries).
- Chinese culture is basically the same today as it was 1,000 years ago (eg, "traditional, conservative, polite," etc.). (Source: studying Chinese history without being familiar with modern China).
- In China, no one can express any idea that isn't approved by Chairman Mao - if you do express an "unapproved" idea, you will be instantly sent to jail or shot. (Source: studying the "cultural revolution" (1966-76)in high school history classes, the events of 1989 in Beijing).
- Chinese (and all "Asians") are good at maths. (Source: I don't know).
- China and Japan are basically the same. (Source: ignorance).
- "Asian" women are generally subservient to men,