The Han, Tibet, Mongolia: Is China Racist?

First, I must explain to you European-folks the meaning of “Han”. See, there are many rather disparate ethnic racial groups who reside within the borders of Red China, but many are not “Chinese” in the Western sense. The Han are the dominant racial group, but are certainly not the only ethnic group residing within the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Sigh...I am getting just a wee bit tired of hearing of young Tibetan Buddhists self-immolating in protest. I am even more annoyed by the arrogant and seemingly racist attitude of the ruling Han Chinese in Peking (from my viewpoint, the fact that they are evil Communists is rather besides the point).

Let us consider two distinct, non-Chinese countries: Mongolia and Tibet. From the seemingly arrogant attitude of the Han, these 2 groups should be grateful for introduction of cheap plastic dinner plates, porcelain toilets, and coal-powered locomotives. Are not the Han materially, philosophically, intellectually, and culturally superior? Why should not these 2 backward countries welcome “progress”? Why are they not metaphysically thankful to the Han?

Let us draw an analogy. For much of our history, we had a rather regrettable attitude towards blacks, hillbillies, and Cajuns. We viewed them as poor, stupid, backwards, and uneducated just ripe for introduction to modern society and morays. The attitude of the Han towards Mongolia and Tibet is eerily similar and equally wrong.

No, Not Just the CCP

I can hear the screams of protestation from Chinese: no, you are wrong, because you are thinking only of the attitude of the CCP.

Au contraire, mon ami.

This attitude towards Tibet and Mongolia is pervasive throughout all strata of Chinese society for many centuries, including those whose lives are untouched by the CCP.

It is this fact that convinces me that Chinese are much more racist than their European counterparts. True, these 2 countries have been under the military/political control of Peking for much of recent history, but only under the heel of a jackboot rather than from a cultural or voluntary affinity.

IMHO, the Han do not deserve the benefit of the doubt.