OP-ED: The Chinese Elite at Columbia
17th December 2015
Our boarding school backgrounds, our posh accents, our stylish outfits—in my experience, American students are often astonished by us Chinese internationals.
Not really. Those of us who have been paying attention realize that once Mao died China reverted to its historical pattern, the the Communist Party taking the place of an Imperial Dynasty with the Mandate of Heaven.
We’ve been sent off by our politically influential families to get precious Ivy League diplomas straight out of boarding schools.
China joins the Crust. Who knew?
This glamorous exterior, however, only conceals people who are struggling with the dysfunctionalities, injustices, and hypocrisies of the Communist Party system. The contrast between the lofty Communist Party line our parents defend and the reality of the human depravity we witness in our lives forces our descent into depression, drug abuse, and all too often suicide.
The sort of angst that those trained to accept the Progressive Fantasy in place of reality always undergo. Welcome to the First World, home of the First World Problem.
People who don’t see this might envy our upscale lives. They view our weekend trips to Aspen, Colorado, or the Bahamas as mere excursions, as if our private jets simply shuttle us from one party to the next. As if our exotic summer travels are just about where we get to go, not about the political system we get to stay away from. They see our impeccable style—clothes from Alaïa, Jil Sander, or Valentino—and don’t recognize the self-hate that comes with our self-enhancement.
Cementing the Asian status as Honorary (so to speak) White People. Next up: ‘Check your privilege!’
The author’s SWPL credentials:
The author is a first-year in the Columbia/Jewish Theological Seminary joint program with prospective majors in ethnicity and race studies and Jewish history. Originally from China, she grew up between her hometown and boarding schools, and is of mixed Chinese and Jewish heritage.
My, what a surprise! Aren’t you surprised? I’m sure surprised.