Zhu Liang Yan, Period 6, 11/30/22

Socio-political Consciousness

• What are your thoughts and feelings about issues of inequity, oppression, and/or power?
• How do you reflect critically on your own beliefs, assumptions, values, and experiences, and how these can influence your perception of self and others?

Uyghurs, a Chinese-speaking ethnic group that was mostly Muslims native to the Xinjiang territory of China. Xinjiang is a beautiful and one of the largest provinces in China, being native to many Uyghurian people. It is an exotic place with rich culture and an emphasis on nature compared to more modern china provinces. Aside from breathtaking views and cultures, it holds the largest Grand Bazaar in the world, along with a rich history dating back to the Han Dynasty. However, now the Uyghur people are facing heavy prosecution and oppression from the Chinese government due to their ethnicity. This dates back to as early as 2017, when China was accused of planning genocide against the Uyghur people. As time evolves, the Chinese government have been taken steps to fulfill this abominable vision of theirs. Recently and over the course of these years, millions of Uyghurs have been detained and sent to reeducation camps. Although it is not clear what these camps are, it is important to acknowledge the fact that these people are being detained against their will. In history, we're well aware of what happened to actions targeted against ethnic groups. Whether it was the horrible Holocaust or the Rwandan Genocide of Tutsi, all of these are disgusting precedents and demonstrations of what cruelty humans are capable of. We must take caution and actions to prevent these cruelties from happening, not after it has already occurred. All of these ideas for cruelty come from innate human desires and sin. In my personal belief, racism and oppression on the basis of race and genetics are fundamentally and morally wrong. We all grow up differently, and most of the time, we have little control over how we are raised and what type of beliefs we are taught. That's why education plays such an important role in making the world a better place.

I was lucky enough and privileged to receive an education, to be able to study history, and interact with those who are like-minded. Unfortunately, many around the world lack those opportunities to be educated and realize there are inherent sins and evil beliefs put upon them. To draw on my personal experience, I'm a foreign immigrant that spends most of my childhood years in China. Oftentimes, we are only taught a one-sided perspective of politics, that communism is the greatest, and so is everything else that comes from it. However, as my education and awareness expanded after moving to American education, I was more able to think for myself and see things from a different lens. This idea of being able to see things from a different lens is the fundamental formula for a harmonious society and world. Our beliefs will always and continue to clash; that's why it is important to empathize with the party, even if you disagree with their beliefs. Ultimately, what's good and what's bad are decided differently in different countries, places, and cultures. However, it is essential to recognize the morally wrong actions and consequences that can come from them. 

I enjoy hearing and learning about people's lives and their stories, whether it is from memoirs, biography, conversations, or even a fictional novel that could very well depict someone's life. All of which contributed to my understanding of the world and potential flaws in my own belief and actions. It is very important to self-reflect and understand that there is always more perspective to be gained and more harmony to be achieved.