Tansy Xu
Professor Lauren Holt
ENG 101
5 September 2013
When I finished reading The Bitter Southerner “We are Bitter”, I felt regretful for the southerners who are defined and judged by people’s stereotypes. Moreover, those examples stating the circumstances under which people interpret the south incur my thoughts about a similar phenomenon in my country. Both these two areas are perceived inaccurately and unfairly.
Xinjiang, located in Northwest China, is an autonomous area, where the Uygur ethnic group resides. Less developed than other areas in China, Xinjiang is often considered in poor condition. Additionally, because people make a living through agriculture and animal husbandry mainly, a primitive impression forms when outsiders talk about Xinjiang. I have never been to Xinjiang. As a result, I do not know what real life is like there. However, I can sense the apparent negativity in people’s comments about Xinjiang. These comments consist of violent and dirty stories about people’s unstable lives. I felt surprised that Xinjiang residents still eat raw meat in the civil society, scared that robbers boldly stab people on the road, and irritated that Xinjiang merchants always cheat in trading. These pieces of news fortified my imagination on Xinjiang’s inferior conditions, and I unconsciously exaggerated based on these stories. I discovered it is the same way that outsiders think about southerners: without personal approach and observation, they learn the south from clichés, and then subjectively judge the people.
A turning point in my thought appeared after my friend Rui travelled back from Xinjiang last summer. Through her description, abundant beauty and low-speed lifestyle enable people in Xinjiang to live naturally and comfortably. Though most are not well-educated compared to other areas, XinJiang’s residents are hospitable, kind, and industrious. With a special talent in music and dancing, Xinjiang people are versatile and skilled, from the young to the old. Rui’s taste for music changed and she even tried to find Xinjiang restaurants as she came back. Witnessing her transformation, I began to realize my perspective is rigid and not holistic.
After I read the article again, I found The Bitter Southerner a necessary tool to reveal the “secrets” of the southerners. In my own case, I had held a limited insight about Xinjiang, which was changed by the discovery of my friend’s experience. Similarly, The Bitter Southerner is initiated by individuals who collect fresh experience of the southerner. Since the material and topic are more updated and close to real south life, it is more likely to offer outsiders perception that fits the reality. I am also inspired on two sides. On one side, I get to understand that sometimes, my dislike for one thing does not come from my intrinsic value, but derives from incomprehension. On other side, I am delighted to find breakthrough can be achieved simply through dig for the truth. Due to my contradicted reaction to Xinjiang, I feel confident to believe The Bitter Southerner can bring change people’s perspective about the south superficially and as more stories accumulate, essentially. I look forward to creating my own website about the south, to reveal the fact after researching.
Professor Lauren Holt
ENG 101
5 September 2013
When I finished reading The Bitter Southerner “We are Bitter”, I felt regretful for the southerners who are defined and judged by people’s stereotypes. Moreover, those examples stating the circumstances under which people interpret the south incur my thoughts about a similar phenomenon in my country. Both these two areas are perceived inaccurately and unfairly.
Xinjiang, located in Northwest China, is an autonomous area, where the Uygur ethnic group resides. Less developed than other areas in China, Xinjiang is often considered in poor condition. Additionally, because people make a living through agriculture and animal husbandry mainly, a primitive impression forms when outsiders talk about Xinjiang. I have never been to Xinjiang. As a result, I do not know what real life is like there. However, I can sense the apparent negativity in people’s comments about Xinjiang. These comments consist of violent and dirty stories about people’s unstable lives. I felt surprised that Xinjiang residents still eat raw meat in the civil society, scared that robbers boldly stab people on the road, and irritated that Xinjiang merchants always cheat in trading. These pieces of news fortified my imagination on Xinjiang’s inferior conditions, and I unconsciously exaggerated based on these stories. I discovered it is the same way that outsiders think about southerners: without personal approach and observation, they learn the south from clichés, and then subjectively judge the people.
A turning point in my thought appeared after my friend Rui travelled back from Xinjiang last summer. Through her description, abundant beauty and low-speed lifestyle enable people in Xinjiang to live naturally and comfortably. Though most are not well-educated compared to other areas, XinJiang’s residents are hospitable, kind, and industrious. With a special talent in music and dancing, Xinjiang people are versatile and skilled, from the young to the old. Rui’s taste for music changed and she even tried to find Xinjiang restaurants as she came back. Witnessing her transformation, I began to realize my perspective is rigid and not holistic.
After I read the article again, I found The Bitter Southerner a necessary tool to reveal the “secrets” of the southerners. In my own case, I had held a limited insight about Xinjiang, which was changed by the discovery of my friend’s experience. Similarly, The Bitter Southerner is initiated by individuals who collect fresh experience of the southerner. Since the material and topic are more updated and close to real south life, it is more likely to offer outsiders perception that fits the reality. I am also inspired on two sides. On one side, I get to understand that sometimes, my dislike for one thing does not come from my intrinsic value, but derives from incomprehension. On other side, I am delighted to find breakthrough can be achieved simply through dig for the truth. Due to my contradicted reaction to Xinjiang, I feel confident to believe The Bitter Southerner can bring change people’s perspective about the south superficially and as more stories accumulate, essentially. I look forward to creating my own website about the south, to reveal the fact after researching.