[Jerrica Keane]

Question: what is the culture of recycling and climate awareness in China? 

I found interesting to learn from the lecture that China is a leader in renewable energy and I wonder how much that goal and value of renewable energy exists at the grassroot level. Are people more conscious of their carbon footprint because of the heavy population density in Chinese cities? Or is it the opposite because there are so many people? 

[Jerrica Keane]

I watched the video by Kyle Obermann where he is interviewed and showcasts China's nature. I really, really enjoyed listening to how he described the beauty of China, the policy behind national parks and the issues people in rural China face. His photos were stunning and it is amazing how both Pandas and snow leopards share a climate. I had no idea that China had such natural beauty. Additionally. Ktyle explains how the Chinese government in 2018 established a national park administration to manage the parks more closely and as a result, more parks were formally recognized. I think it is important to preserve and protect natural environments around the world so this is a great step forward. 

Worth noting is his discussion of the difference between the education levels and health quality of east and west China. Namely, that eastern China has a higher quality of life than those living in western China. Additionally, he commentary about how 99% of the rural population living around nature reserves live in poverty. I appreciated his empathy and understanding as he explained the lack of economic opportunity for people living in these areas. Most people in this circumstance rely on poaching animals and/or forestry to make a living. However, as more national parks are formally recognized, poaching becomes outlawed. Kyle explained how people rely on poaching for survival so they continue to do it regardless of environmental, moral or legal consequences. It is a complex issue because poaching laws are essential, yet people need to survive. I wonder what the consequence is for illegal poaching? What animals are they poaching? And who is supporting the market for poaching animals?

[Jerrica Keane]

https://chinadialogue.net/en/climate/china-would-be-parents-climate-concerns/ 

This article discussed the increasing concern by potential parents about the impact a climate crisis might have on their unborn children. I found the article to be a bit narrow in scope as they only surveyed 173 people who were primarily young, educated women, living in urban areas. While this is an important demographic, I think the study would have more validity if they surveyed more people from varying backgrounds. 

Overall, the connection between the climate crisis and choosing to have children is a valid one. The article highlighted concerns over increased competition for scarce resources as population increase, food insecurity and other impacts of the degradation of the environment. An interesting idea presented was " “I feel that instead of saying ‘choice’, we can go one step further and ask whether climate change fundamentally impacts fertility.". I think this is a fundamental question as fertility issues have been increasing. Correlation between fertility and environmental changes would be important to study. 

Overall, we all have a part to play in keeping our environment healthy for future generations. The article showcased another survey response about how we can combat increased climate concerns. Respondents said the top three ways to address climate change are recycling, reducing waste and mindful purchasing of products with less carbon footprints. A question I have is how do we increase awareness and understanding about recycling, reducing waste and carbon footprints. Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of control over other countries but we should be able to make a positive impact within our borders. In the Bay Area, there is a culture of recycling, but when I have traveled to other states there is an obvious lack of recycling. It is important for the United States to ensure that there is uniformity between the states in their ability to recycle.

[Jerrica Keane]

Hi All: I thought yesterdays discussion of the LGBTQ+ rights and awareness in China to be interesting. Thank you for sharing the website https://www.chinalgbt.org created by Ashley Jiang. As I was exploring it more, I realized that Courtney, we teach Ethnic studies together, and I use a video on intersectionality created by Ashley. Here is the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXJ4Dbdm1ks if anyone wants to check it out! 

[Jerrica Keane]

Hi Bridget! I felt the same when starting this course. It has been really informative so far. I particularly enjoy hearing the diverse experiences and perspectives from everyone in our discussions, on zoom and in the sources we have read. It really goes to show how much geopolitics is not only economic relations, it is also social and political. 

[Jerrica Keane]

Hi Victoria, 

I had the same thoughts when I was reading your comment about the history of China's isolationism and how the current policy seems to have the goal of global recognition. China also seems to be very purposeful in acknolwedging the global heirachy of superpower countries versus middle power countries. This is evident in the relationship dynamics between China and Australia video assigned this week "The China Dream: Tensions With Australia".

[Jerrica Keane]

As others have mentioned, I don't think that students desire to study aboard negatively reflects the national education system in China. There are many important opportunities presented to students who chose to study aboard. As someone mentioned, students leave to learn new methods and practices with the goal to return to China with diverse knowledge that will be applied to the Chinese market. This occurs in many other countries as well. This of course is intensified with the intense compeitiveness of post-secondary education in China, as noted. 

[Jerrica Keane]

The video "How China Became an Innovation Powerhouse"  does a really interesting job discussing the political and structural differences of the US and China in terms of innovation. Whereas we usually consider China and the US to be competing economic systems (and they often are), but it was great to see a source that considers how two vastly different political and economic systems can both coexist and, dare I say, lean on each other. That said, the perspective also considers how the command economy and Communism political landscape in China also carved out space for Chinese ideas to grow and start-ups to flourish. The video highlights how Chinese government intervention does force rapid innovations. This is contradictory to the ideals of the US where innovation is supported by free markets, individual competition and economic freedom. A main takeaway from the video is that global relationships should not be reduced, but rather learning and experimenting with different ways of thinking and operating helps research and the development of new technologies. Competition and working relationships combined foster innovation.

[Jerrica Keane]

Hey Courtney, 

I was really glad I watched this video as well! It was super interesting and gave a lot of needed context for the articles I read. The questions you pose are thought provoking for sure. I wanted to add to your analysis of the video with regards to the first part of the video when they are talking about "The China Dream". The dream is explained as the belief in a more powerful and prosperous China. Highlighting that it is a collective ideology of Chinese nationalism. The notion of nationalism and collective identity is reinforced through the Chinese education system. This collectivist mentality is evident when the school children repeatedly state that they will protect both their family and their country - in that order. Interestingly, it is the opposite narrative present in the US. For example, the “American Dream” is very individualistic and based on individual meritocracy. I appreciated the difference (positive and negative) in ideology regarding individualism and collectivism. Overall, it highlights that there are so many ways to structure society, and personal life.

[Jerrica Keane]

Hi Henry, 

I had many similar thoughts to you - especially comment number 3. It almost seems that the dominate narrative in America is that any other country who economically matches or surpasses the US is a threat. It seems very counter-productive to have this mindset. While I understand the downsides to an increasing globalized economy, there are also many, many positives. Innovation, for one, comes from competition and collaboration. A strong global economy and trade network is good for everyone. 

[Jerrica Keane]

Adding to my previous post about Cheng Lei’s arrest, the article https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/a-day-to-pack-up-our-lives-and-get-out-journalist-bill-birtles-on-fleeing-china-20210305-p5785k.html further elaborates on what happened to the Chinese-Australian reporter. The article describes how Chneg initial disappearance was masked under the false pretense that Cheng went back to Australia. However, it turns out that she was taken to residential surveillance without anyone knowing and the Chinese government operates this place as though a person is under house arrest. However, this is a gross violation of human rights. Not only was Cheng not changed with any crime at the time, the article explains how the Chinese government can keep suspects for up to six months while they build a case to change the person. Thinking about how I might use this case in my classes, I would use ChengLei as a case study in  my American Government class. For example, students could read the different methods and reasoning that the Chinese authorities use to detain a person and then have them look into detail about what different constitutional rights were violated if she was in America. It might be interesting for students to identify and articulate constitutional rights, while also viewing it from a social justice perspective. Beyond the idea for a case study, Cheng’s story brings up many questions: What was she doing that was perceived as such a threat to the Chinese government? What is Australia's reaction? This clearly aggressive act contradicts the ideas from last week that China is about peace and will grow without humiliating another country. Not only is Cheng connected to both China and Australia, her story is one of many. The article details reporters being told to leave China immediately to escape potential interrogation and I can not imagine the stress and anxiety that would inflict on an individual and a society. Are these situations common?

[Jerrica Keane]

After reading the article about Cheng Lei’s experience in prison, I was surprised. Cheng, as a reporter, was formally charged with “suspicion of illegally supplying state secrets overseas”. I was surprised at the conditions that she experienced in the Chinese prison. It was very reminiscent of what I have read about prisons in Russia. I thought it was powerful that Cheng was teaching her cell mates English. It highlights her ability to make a positive impact in a dire situation.  One thing that I am quickly coming to realize being from Canada is that I am largely unaware of the lack of human rights and use of surveillance that infringes on rights that China uses. I discussed these thoughts with my colleague after the last session because I was genuinely surprised by the negative/skeptical feelings people have about China. Before reading this article and watching the video from last week about the use of Chinese technology to monitor political competition in Africa, when I thought of China, I thought of technology innovation, Communism, deep/rich history and international trade... none of it negative. I am now understanding the complexities of feelings that are present in American’s with regards to China's international involvement along with their lacking social justice. I am reminded of the article from last week stating global connections are not binary.

[Jerrica Keane]

Hi Everyone! I am really looking forward to meeting everyone on zoom for our discussion in just over an hour. I found the materials this week to be incredibly interesting.

First, viewing globalization from a Chinese perspective is eye-opening. It made me really realize how much of a "western" lens I have when I think about global trade etc. The series of articles on the Belt and Road Initiative highlighted this. I had no idea that China is Africa's largest trading partner. I found the articles compelling both in their analysis of the various African countries' views of favourable or unfavourable relationships with the USA and China. Additionally, they were balancing in offering viewpoints that both criticize China's economic involvement in Africa as "new colonialism" and demonstrate how China is helping African nations become more interconnected. Questions I had during the reading were: How were the protests in Sri Lanka connected to the BRI? and on page 23 referenced China as a "soft power", what does this mean? Overall, my big takeaway was "Global politics is not a binary". 

The lectures were tremendously impactful. I found myself digging into key events that we mentioned to learn a bit more. One particular connection I made was during the discussion of the National Day of Humiliation in China. It is not so different from Remembrance Day that is observed in many countries, but my specific experience is from Canada. While National Day of Humiliation marks an important reminder for the Chinese to "not forget" how foreign powers can negatively impact the people in your country, my interpretation is also that it offers a symbol of Chinese peacefulness and reinforces the ideology that China would never impose unjust treaties or commit atrocities to other countries. I also recognize this is only one small, and very optimistic, interpretation. Remembrance Day in Canada serves as a reminder of the brutality of World War I (and those who lost their lives) and reinforces the ideology that Canada is a "peace-keeping" nation ( or the idea of 'peace-making' is also an interesting concept, but off-topic). One specific question I have after the lecture is: Is there still anti-Japanese sentiment in China?. It was a really informative lead up to week 1 discussion - thank you!

[Jerrica Keane]

I really like the stamps from the Philippines and how colourful they are. I also liked the Canadian stamps for the same reason (although some bias might be shining through as I am from Canada 😀 )  - - - Happy Lunar New Year!

[Jerrica Keane]

Hello everyone 🙂 

My name is Jerrica Keane. I am a teacher at Aragon High School in San Mateo, CA. I teach Government/Economics, Ethnic Studies (with Courtney Caldwell who is also participating in this course) and Agency & Social Justice. I am orginally from Edmonton, Canada. I moved to the Bay Area just over 5 years ago. I feel extremely lucky to teach at my current school as I am able to teach courses that I am most passionate about. 

Overall, I'm excited to learn more about China and its global connections to add depth of personal understanding while also incorporating more diverse topics/text/perspectives into both Ethnic Studies and Agency & Social Justice. 

I'm looking forward to meeting you all!  - - Jerrica

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