It is the sixth in a series of school stabbings in China. A Time reporter aptly explores the underlying reasons for such attacks, including the Chinese citizen’s lack of access to mental health care and the legal system’s deficiency in providing ample recourse to injustice. [1] One could not help but argue that much soul searching is needed even if only to cushion the emotional blow such violence has impacted on its victims and their relatives.
In Wang Gang’s powerful novel, “English”, set in the dark days of the Cultural Revolution, the story revolves around preteens in their process of self-discovery while learning a new language in school. In one of such revelations, one of the children called into the school principal’s office questions the punishment just wrought upon. [2]
A close relative, obviously religious, forwarded me one of those chain letters which argues that, “even from a purely secular viewpoint”, in countries where there is “genuine humbling & seeking of God through prayer”, general prosperity follows. I argued that China is now one of the strongest economies in the world. What is their religious base, I asked? [3]
[1] Austin Ramzy, “China's Soul Searching as School Knifings Continue”, Time, May 12, 2010
[2] Wang Gang, “English”, Viking, 2009
[3] See related article, “God Vs. Gov”
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In Wang Gang’s powerful novel, “English”, set in the dark days of the Cultural Revolution, the story revolves around preteens in their process of self-discovery while learning a new language in school. In one of such revelations, one of the children called into the school principal’s office questions the punishment just wrought upon. [2]
“Go back to your classroom now and write a self-criticism statement. It has to be thorough and soul-searching!”
“Mr. Principal, what is a soul?”
“Don’t worry about what it is, just go and write your self-criticism.”
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A close relative, obviously religious, forwarded me one of those chain letters which argues that, “even from a purely secular viewpoint”, in countries where there is “genuine humbling & seeking of God through prayer”, general prosperity follows. I argued that China is now one of the strongest economies in the world. What is their religious base, I asked? [3]
[1] Austin Ramzy, “China's Soul Searching as School Knifings Continue”, Time, May 12, 2010
[2] Wang Gang, “English”, Viking, 2009
[3] See related article, “God Vs. Gov”
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