From: eln314m@monu1.cc.monash.edu.au (Ms ML Hong)
Subject: Chinese-cu = chinese culture paradox - a happy solution?
Organization: Monash University, Australia.
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 02:18:04 GMT

In article <1992Aug26.082858.28212@leland.Stanford.EDU>, underdog@leland.Stanford.EDU (Dwight Joe) writes:
> In article <1992Aug26.073540.22305@monu1.cc.monash.edu.au>
> eln314m@monu1.cc.monash.edu.au (Ms ML Hong) writes:
> >...
> >  Oh good! Here is possibly someone who understands what Dwight Joe means by
> >Chinese-cu. Althought I have asked for clarification before, I am still very
> >confused. I do not know what sort of literal meaning I should attach to this
> >term. It doesn't seem to be referring to the culture, like dances, art,
> >music, 
> >values etc unique to the Chinese which I initially thought was what he meant. 
> 
> That's exactly what it means.  Ms. Hong, you had it right the first
> time.
> 
> Chinese-cu = Chinese in the cultural sense
> Chinese-ge = Chinese in the sense of genetics; i.e. ethnically Chinese
> Chinese-ci = Chinese in the sense of being a citizen of China
> 
> Note that a German-ge can be Chinese-cu and American-ci.
> A Korean-ge can be Russian-cu and Canadian-ci.
> 
> Culture would include not only dance and art but also a way of thinking.
> (Chinese-cu thinking is most regrettable).
> 
> >Please enlighten me if it is not too much trouble. I couldn't figure it out 
> >with my dictionary.
> 
> It's not in the dictionary.  It's my own notation to distingush the
> 3 connotations meant by words like "Chinese", "Korean", etc.
> 
> >(Please forgive me. English was my second language in school).
> 
> Just don't let Chinese-cu twits that are also Chinese-ge fool you into
> thinking that Chinese-cu = Chinese-ge.  The truth of the matter is
> that Chinese-cu != Chinese-ge.
> 
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Seikatsu no imi wa nan desu ka.            \|  |`      | Don't buy from Toyota;
> Shitte itara oshiete kuremasen ka.          | -+-      | especially, don't buy
>                                            /| / \      | from Capitol Toyota in
> Copyright 1992.                                        | San Jose, California.
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Even though a = b is the same as b = a, I can't reconciliate the 
implication that Chinese culture = Chinese-cu. After much pondering, I think
I finally understand what Dwight Joe is referring to. It is Chinese feudalism,
feng(1) jian(4) si(1) xiang(3) in Mandarin, f(h?)ong kin xi xiong in 
Cantonese. 
    
    It is the Chinese feudalistic thinking which advocates the 
oppression of women and male supremacy, which forbids/discourages 
criticism or questioning of authority (either state or home), which 
encourages blind loyalty, which demands loyalty of a Chinese to China and 
the Chinese race, which believes Han supremacy and that minority tribes are 
uncivilised and therefore lesser beings, etc etc that upsets Dwight Joe so 
much.

    Despite the fact that this sort of thinking is not prevalent anymore
except in some ultra conservative Chinese families, bits of it still linger
in many people's upbringing and beliefs. Luckily, these are ways of thinking
which can be changed and will change with time, and not genetically coded in
our bodies like another netter suggested.

    I therefore propose the usage of 
                     Chinese-fe = Chinese feudalism 
in the future when the need arises. The term Chinese-cu should only include
people who enjoy Chinese art, music, festivals, celebrations, etc and do not 
believe in or condone Chinese feudalistic thoughts.

Mun Li

PS. For all the Chinese-cu's (an endearment this time) out on the net, have
    a nice Moon Cake Festival. It is only about 2 week's away!


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