Yanwen’s blog

12/15/2024

Last Friday afternoon, December 13th, I was walking down a street in Brooklyn. People were busy coming and going, total strangers to one another. Amazon delivery trucks zipped by, laden with holiday gifts. At first, the scene reminded me of Paris, but I soon sensed a difference—something less common in the City of Light.

Trader Joe’s was bustling with shoppers. Just outside, a family of three huddled together, begging. Beneath the Brooklyn–Queens Expressway, a homeless man lay curled up against the cold. These scenes left me with a distinct impression of urban life: cold and inhumane.  

The day is unforgivably cold and the atmosphere here feels indifferent. On one side, there’s the constant hum of human activity; on the other, the visible struggles of those living on the margins. It’s a stark reminder of the dual realities many American cities face: the coexistence of affluence and poverty, progress and neglect.

A saying comes to mind, one that seems to capture Brooklyn’s bustling activity and stark contrasts perfectly: "朱门酒肉臭，路有冻死骨" (Zhū mén jiǔ ròu chòu, lù yǒu dòng sǐ gǔ), or "Behind the vermillion gates, wine and meat rot; on the streets lie the frozen bones of the poor." It encapsulates the haunting coexistence of wealth and poverty —echoing the realities of urban life across time and cultures.

This scene also brings me back to Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Match Girl. Both the saying and the story vividly portray the divide between abundance and hardship, amplifying the human cost of indifference. In Andersen’s tale, the girl freezes while the wealthy remain oblivious to her suffering—a chilling parallel to the disparities I witnessed in Brooklyn. Written in 1845, the story remains heartbreakingly relevant today.  

Brooklyn, like much of New York City, is a place of complexity—a blend of creativity, opportunity, and undeniable hardship. The December chill only deepens the sense of inhumanity, amplifying the indifference and the emotional distance that makes everyone seem like strangers to one another.

12/14/2024

On the night of December 3, 2024, at around 10:30 p.m., South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a national televised address. He justified the decision by citing threats from “North Korean communist forces” and accusing the opposition party of undermining the nation. The declaration granted sweeping powers to ban protests, dissolve political parties, and control the media.

Almost immediately, protests erupted outside the National Assembly, with demonstrators chanting slogans against the martial law and demanding Yoon’s resignation. Riot police and military personnel were swiftly deployed to manage the growing unrest, but the situation intensified as protesters confronted the security forces.

Amid this turmoil, opposition lawmakers, led by Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, rushed to the National Assembly to overturn the martial law. Lee livestreamed his journey, urging citizens to protect democracy. Eventually, he scaled a fence to enter the Assembly building. Inside, lawmakers quickly assembled, overcoming barriers at the gates and securing a quorum despite clashes with armed soldiers. By 1:02 a.m., the National Assembly voted overwhelmingly—190-0—to annul the martial law, prompting the withdrawal of security forces.

In a second address at dawn, President Yoon acknowledged parliament’s decision to end the martial law but continued to blame the opposition for the nation’s political dysfunction. By 4:30 a.m., following an emergency Cabinet meeting, the martial law was officially lifted, bringing an end to a night of intense political drama and public resistance.

Despite the heavy confrontations between protesters, police, and military personnel, no deaths or injuries were reported. The swift and decisive actions of lawmakers to revoke the martial law, combined with the restraint shown by security forces, prevented further escalation and helped maintain order.

This episode marks a significant victory for South Korea’s democracy. The public protests and the swift parliamentary vote to annul the martial law demonstrate the strength of South Korean civil society and its commitment to upholding democratic values. The peaceful resolution, without casualties, reflects the maturity of South Korea’s democratic institutions and their ability to resolve political crises through collective action.

The events also highlight the importance of law enforcement restraint, which is very crucial in preventing violence and casualties. While South Korean security forces were heavily deployed and equipped with military-grade resources, their measured response likely helped avoid bloodshed. In contrast, the response to similar unrest in the U.S., such as the January 6 Capitol Hill riot, was often criticized for its initial lack of preparedness and subsequent use of force. If a comparable martial law situation had occurred in the U.S., the outcome could have been hugely different.

12/13/2024

A few days ago, while I was in the YWCA locker room, I encountered a little girl in the shower area who was crying and screaming hysterically. Her wails were piercing, echoing loudly through the entire locker room. She seemed completely out of control, as though she was throwing an intense temper tantrum. People exchanged glances silently, -- what had her parent done to upset her so much? Why wasn’t her mom stepping in to calm her down?

When they emerged from the shower, the girl’s attempts to scream continued, though her voice sounded hoarse and tired. She reached out to hold her mom, but the mother pushed her away, remaining silent throughout the entire commotion. She looked frustrated. The girl spoke to her mom in Chinese, so I decided to talk to her in the same language. The mother explained that her daughter was five and a half years old and prone to these dramatic outbursts at home as well, describing it as having a “big temper.”

The girl’s cries reminded me of my own children when they were little. There was always a reason behind their tears, and I made it a point to calm and comfort them first, providing them with a sense of security and validating their feelings. This approach helped them feel understood and soothed their emotions.

While I couldn’t know the exact reason for this little girl’s distress at the pool, I couldn’t help but think the mother could have responded differently. She could have paused whatever she was doing and given her full attention to the child, focusing on calming and comforting her. A warm hug or soothing words could have made a big difference.

Once the child had calmed down, the mother might have gently asked, “It’s okay, but can you tell me what’s making you so upset?” This approach not only validates the child’s emotions but also teaches her how to articulate her feelings, encouraging calm communication.

A Chinese saying for this situation is “以柔克刚” (yǐ róu kè gāng), meaning, "Overcome steel with gentleness." It emphasizes the power of a calm and empathetic approach in resolving conflicts or managing intense emotions. It also applies to interpersonal dealings, where a calm and understanding attitude can defuse tension and foster positive outcomes.

This incident also illustrates an important principle that extends beyond parents and children: the value of emotional validation and attentiveness in interpersonal dealings. Whether in personal relationships or professional settings, taking the time to acknowledge someone’s emotions and providing a calming presence can diffuse tense situations. Asking thoughtful questions like, "Can you help me understand what’s troubling you?" fosters open communication and demonstrates empathy, laying the groundwork for trust and resolution.

Finally, throughout such situations, patience is essential. It’s crucial for parents—and anyone dealing with heightened emotions—to exemplify calmness, even when feeling frustrated or upset.

Children often mirror the emotions of the adults around them, and maintaining a composed demeanor helps them learn to self-soothe. Similarly, in other contexts, maintaining composure can set the tone for a more constructive interaction. 

With a lot of patience and care, moments like these can become opportunities to grow and learn. Most importantly, it strengthens bonds and teaches emotional resilience, whether between parent and child or among colleagues and friends.

12/12/2024

Before our trip to Paris, I began reading Hemingway's A Moveable Feast. It's an engaging exploration of his Paris years, and I took notes as I read. One passage came to me as something I didn't know before:

Discussing homosexuality, masculinity and survival with Gertrude Stein, Hemingway said: "Under questioning I tried to tell Miss Stein that when you were a boy and moved in the company of men, you had to be prepared to kill a man, know how to do it and really know that you would do it in order not to be interfered with. That term was accrochable. If you knew you would kill, other people sensed it very quickly and you were let alone; but there were certain situations you could not allow yourself to be force into or trapped into."

This reflects a harsh reality of Hemingway's era—a world where boys in rough environments had to exude strength to avoid harm. It emphasizes survival through deterrence and readiness, revealing the danger and the precariousness of living among violent, uncivilized forces.

A Chinese saying for this, “弱肉强食” (Ruò ròu qiáng shí), means: "The weak are the prey of the strong." This perfectly encapsulates the primal, survival-driven dynamics Hemingway describes, where vulnerability risk being assaulted by the strong and physical strength is essential for self-preservation. It describes the harsh reality of environments where power and readiness to act determine one's survival.

While the world has changed significantly since Hemingway's time, dangers and "wolves" still exist for vulnerable individuals. Certain city areas remain risky, particularly for the young and unprotected. In some cases, projecting strength continues to be a strategy for personal safety, and vigilance is always wise.

Fast forward to today, Hemingway's insights on survival resonate in many war-torn regions. Where societal norms collapse, the law of the jungle becomes the law of the land, perpetuating violence, displacement, and fear—underscoring the ongoing need for vigilance and protection for the vulnerable.

12/11/2024

On November 29, we took a train from Paris to the Palace of Versailles, a journey steeped in historical significance. It evoked memories of a pivotal event from 1789—an extraordinary moment of collective action that shaped the course of French history.

During that year, France faced widespread food shortages due to poor harvests, and bread, a staple of the French diet, had become prohibitively expensive. On October 5, 1789, an outraged group of Parisian women gathered at the City Hall, demanding bread. Their frustration resonated with others, and soon they were joined by revolutionary sympathizers and armed men from the National Guard.

Up to 10,000 marchers set off through the rain toward Versailles, the grandiose palace where King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette resided. The group, carrying weapons like pikes and muskets, advanced with chants for bread.

Upon their arrival, the women stormed the gates of Versailles, their anger focused on Marie Antoinette. Known for her extravagant tastes, including opulent clothing, jewels, and lavish parties, she had become a symbol of the monarchy’s perceived indifference to the plight of the poor.

Faced with the intensity of the protesters, King Louis XVI was forced to meet their demands. He agreed to sign the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, a landmark document of the French Revolution. Under immense pressure, the royal family was compelled to leave Versailles and relocate to Paris, escorted by the marchers. This moment marked the symbolic death of the Ancien Régime, signaling the monarchy's loss of absolute power on October 6, 1789.

A Chinese saying aptly captures the essence of the Women's March on Versailles: "水能载舟，亦能覆舟" (Shuǐ néng zài zhōu, yì néng fù zhōu), meaning 'Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it.' This proverb symbolizes the power of the people (water) to support or overthrow a government (boat) based on its governance. The Women's March on Versailles is a striking historical example of the people rising up to challenge and topple a monarchy that had failed to meet their needs.

The Women’s March on Versailles, 235 years ago, stands as a powerful example of the ability of marginalized voices to challenge entrenched systems of power. It demonstrates the potential of collective action to demand justice and change.

While today’s social movements operate in vastly different contexts, the underlying principles of courage, solidarity, and the pursuit of equality remain as relevant as ever. The legacy of those women who marched through the rain reminds us that history often shines on the determination of ordinary people who dare to demand a better world.