Global village? Far from it.

Recently, a CNN analyst branded Chinese people as "goons and thugs".

I feel that there are two sides to the story. Of course, when I read about it, I was very angry. I cannot fathom how a member of a so-called highly globalised society can hurl such comments on other people. When Kramer from Seinfeld made racist remarks, he was immediately boo-ed at and it became the hottest topic on the Internet. Everyone was reprimanding his bad behaviour.

What about this then?? Is it then alright to be racist towards Chinese and to (like the Chinese saying) "use a wooden rod to capsize the whole boat"? Loosely translated, it means that we should not stereotype. It is a global city out there. There are Chinese who are not born in China and do not think or act the same way as the Chinese in China too. Are we then, going to condemn them too?

On the other hand too, we only have got our own selves to blame. As I mentioned in one of my previous posting, we represent a lot more things than ourselves when we walk out of the house. There is no denying that there is a high lead content in the paint used to make the toys and that there are lots of 'unqualified' or fake goods that are being manufactured in the country of China.

However, I am of the opinion that the Chinese are not to be totally blamed for this. After all, is not the parent company the one responsible for quality checking? Why are they shifting all the blame to the manufacturers. Oh, maybe IT IS during one of these QC sessions that these issues arose. I feel then, that the manufacturer is to blame as well, for they should not have even let those defected goods go out on the market in the first place.

There are also bigger issues of poverty and capitalism in such a vast country as China (or it could be any other country for that matter). The poor remain poor while some rich become richer and super-rich. It is then not so surprising that some would try to make a quick buck.

I am not condoning them to make low quality products or to produce things that are un-fit for usage or consumption. I just feel that there are many ways and angles to look at issues and I am surprised that a well-informed person like the CNN analyst could make such a sweeping statement as this.

I am disappointed. I feel that instead of moving towards a more globalised society, everyone is moving backwards. Say what you might and use as many guises as you want, globalisation and equality is probably only 'good-looking' on paper and concept. When practised, nobody can really reach that sort of ideal condition where the world can live as one global village etc, etc. It would take donkey years.