The Chinese students fighting racism - BBC News

Summary

In this powerful video, a student named Jack (or Y), addresses a troubling incident at his university where Chinese students' name tags were removed by an unknown third party. The video highlights the emotional impact of this act on the Chinese community, underscoring the importance of cultural identity and heritage. Jack shares the personal meaning behind his name, which symbolizes joy, strength, and legacy, drawing from the story of Mulan. The video, initially meant for the campus community, unexpectedly gains international attention, showcasing solidarity and the need for voices to be heard in the face of discrimination.

Takeaways

• 😀 Chinese individuals often adopt English names to make it easier for non-Chinese speakers to pronounce their names.
• 😀 A group of students discovered their name tags had been removed, prompting an investigation into a third-party's actions.
• 😀 The removal of the name tags was deeply hurtful and distressing to the Chinese community at the university.
• 😀 The incident highlighted the issue of cultural insensitivity, though the specific intent behind the act was unclear.
• 😀 The speaker's name, which means joy and happiness in Chinese, reflects the cultural legacy of their family.
• 😀 The speaker's name was inspired by the story of Mulan, symbolizing strength and the ability to achieve greatness, regardless of gender.
• 😀 The speaker acknowledges that some people are rude without regard to race, but this particular incident felt like a targeted attack.
• 😀 The speaker's video, intended for a local campus audience, unexpectedly gained international attention, spreading to cities like Toronto, London, Sydney, Paris, and Moscow.
• 😀 The speaker's name also symbolizes a connection with their parents, who see them as the brightest star in the night sky when they're far from home.
• 😀 The overwhelming positive feedback to the video was a surprise to the speaker, showing widespread support for their message.
• 😀 The incident and the video reflect the importance of standing up for cultural identity and fighting against discrimination.

Q & A

Why do some Chinese people adopt English names?

Many Chinese people adopt English names to make it easier for foreigners to pronounce their Chinese names, especially in international or multicultural settings.

What happened with the name tags in the video?

A group of students noticed that their name tags, which had been put up by the resident advisor, went missing. They discovered that someone, possibly a third party, had taken them down.

How did the resident advisor respond to the missing name tags?

The resident advisor was confused and stated that they did not take the name tags down. This led the students to realize that the removal was done by someone else.

What impact did the removal of the name tags have on the Chinese community?

The removal of the name tags was distressing and hurtful to the Chinese community, as it appeared to be a targeted act. It left many students feeling singled out and marginalized.

What is the significance of the speaker's Chinese name?

The speaker’s Chinese name means 'joy' and 'happiness,' symbolizing the continuation of their family’s cultural legacy. It also represents strength and determination, as it was inspired by the story of Mulan.

Why did the speaker’s parents choose a name from the story of Mulan?

The speaker’s parents chose the name from the story of Mulan as a protest, signaling that their child could be just as powerful and capable as a man, challenging traditional gender roles.

How did the speaker feel about the situation initially?

The speaker initially felt targeted and hurt, as the removal of their name tag seemed to be a personal attack related to their Chinese identity.

How did the speaker’s video gain widespread attention?

The speaker’s video, initially intended for the campus community, was shared widely across the world, reaching places like Toronto, London, Sydney, Paris, and Moscow, which led to an overwhelming positive response.

What does the speaker's name symbolize in terms of family and cultural connection?

The speaker's name symbolizes the connection to their family's cultural heritage and the idea of continuing that legacy. It also reflects the emotional bond their parents have with them, as they see the speaker as a shining example of their values.

What does the speaker mean when they refer to their name as 'the brightest star'?

The speaker refers to their name as 'the brightest star' to represent the idea that, even when their parents are far from home, they can look up at the night sky and feel connected to their child, who embodies their hopes and dreams.