On January 9th, The Wall Street Journal ran an article that would become the most viewed, commented-on editorial in the publication's history.
The article was so controversial that the author — a Yale Law School professor — received several death threats.
Thousands of enraged American readers went so far as to accuse her of advocating physical and emotional violence against children...
Meet Amy Chua: a petite, 48-year-old Chinese American and the author of the WSJ firestorm piece, "Why Chinese Mothers are Superior".
Obviously, the headline caught my attention. My wife is Chinese and we have three children.
But what really surprised me was the viciousness of the comments from readers.
But as I perused through the comments of anger, hate, and even threats to Chua, I realized I as was actually reading comments of insecurity, fear, and envy.
Think about it...
Had this article been written by anybody other than a Chinese professor, it would’ve gone largely unnoticed.
Bottom line: Americans fear the Chinese juggernaut.
Here are just a few headlines from the past year that have caused panic among Americans and the West:
- Pentagon Surprised, Concerned as China Debuts High-Tech Weapons — Politics Daily
- Chinese 'Carrier-Killer' Missile Could Reshape Sea Combat — Fox News
- Chinese 'carrier-killer' missile raises concerns of Pacific power shift — Associated Press
- China Stealth Fighter? Photos Released Online Raise Speculations — Huffington Post
- China's First Stealth Fighter Test Successful — CBS News
- China backs Spain to emerge from crisis: Beijing — Sydney Morning Herald
- Move Over Europe, China Is Pushing to Bailout the Greek Economy — Washington Post
- Wow: China to Bail Out Europe? — Daily Mail UK
- China's Pres. Hu calls dollar's preeminence 'thing of the past' — Wall Street Journal
- President Hu provoking the US by suggesting yuan replace dollar as reserve currency — AsiaNews.it
And now Americans are fearful of the Chinese mother, as reported by Time Magazine: “Tiger Mom: Amy Chua Parenting Memoir Raises American Fears.”
I hear it every day...
"China is going to overtake the U.S. economy... We need to catch up before they flood our markets with electric cars, wind turbines, and solar panels."
Heck, even billionaire Warren Buffett has invested in a Chinese car manufacturer...
America is doomed, right?
Now before you send your children to Mandarin school (which I think is a waste of time), let me state for the record that I think America has a distinct advantage over the rest of the world: innovation.
According to the Global Innovation Index, the U.S. ranks second in global innovation behind South Korea.
China? They’re ranked 13th.
Undoubtedly, China will move up as its economy grows. But in my opinion, freedom of opinion, speech, and expression are directly tied to robust innovation.
Yeah, I know... Both the Republicans and Democrats want to curtail free speech.
Hopefully that'll never happen. I don't think it will.
In the coming weeks, we will outline four pillars of innovation that America dominates. These coincide with the four sectors of the U.S. stock market that continue to boom.
Stay tuned.
By the way, tomorrow is the start of Chinese New Year.
2011 is the lunar Rabbit year, and the forecast is it’s going to be an unfavorable year plagued with uncertainties and continued troubles carried over from the roller coaster Tiger year.
Can you say, “Middle East”?
However, the wealth rabbit is good for 2011. The stock market should continue to rise.
Gung hay fat choy,
Brian
Publisher, Wealth Daily
To the point of the article: you are correct that China lacks innovation, and it directly relates to the way China (or Asians in general) are brought up. From the beginning, Asian children are expected to obey their parents and perform as they are told. It is quite strict, and any deviation from the norm is quickly brought back in line (like the old saw: the nail that sticks out gets hammered down). And that is where lack of innovation comes in. If you are told what to do all your life, you are incapable of thinking outside the box. As an Asian myself, I see this lack of innovation as a huge stumbling point, and I see it within myself and amongst my Asian friends. I wouldn't go so far as saying that every Asian is like this, but it is pervasive.
Probably just as much as they feared Japan, the Land Of The Rising Sun, about 15 years ago.
Remember Ezra Vogel's "Japan as Number One"?
Remember the Rockefeller Center being bought by a Japanese real estate company?
As for the Wall Street Journal running the article, could it be due to lagging circulation?
Have faith in yourselves, Americans. Most of the world still want to reach your shores. Just ask the Chinese people.
www.thegoodchinesemother.wordpress.com
I am unfortunate enough to be a Vietnam veteran. I was stupid enough to believe this country could do no wrong. This country has lost its direction. I am amazed that mothers would become upset over a professor's comments.
The AP's headline stated mother shot son on way to Soccer game and went home and shot daughter in head. What kind of country produces these kind of people, I did not say parents, because we do not have parents now.My dad was of German extraction. And he always said "to be a good American you must support this government whether right or wrong".!!!Bernie
Much of the innovation stems from buying foreign talent and that will continue only if foreign specialists are being allowed in. But as to many US people are just talkers I believe the Chinese will leave the US behind. Part of that problem is that the "Americans" love it complicated. The lack of organsational talent will slow them down.
Because when a person or country is arrogant,he already think he is the best, he has no place to go but down. Never be arrogant.
But one must have pride, pride will make one want to improve no matter whether you are #1, #2, or #13.
Do not confuse arrogance with pride, pride is within oneself, arrogance is express with others. One can be humble and have pride.