Yanwen’s blog

Recently, there has been many discussions about the book that catapulted J.D. Vance to fame—The Hillbilly Elegy.

In fact, there are several books exploring similar themes, particularly the decline of the American Dream since the 1970s, largely attributed to the offshoring of manufacturing jobs and deindustrialization. These works often focus on the struggles of working-class and middle-class Americans in the Rust Belt.

One good book is The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America by George Packer (2013), which I highly recommend. It’s a must read for anyone who wants to understand America today. The title of the book The Unwinding implies that before the 1960s, American society was stable and rigid, with everyone seemingly tightly bound together by a coil. However, in the subsequent decades, this coil suddenly loosened and began unwinding, leading to the sense today that things are falling apart.

While Vance offers a personal memoir of his experiences growing up in a poor white family, Packer's book presents the stories of five diverse characters—some fortunate and super successful, others disheartened and unfortunate—woven into a broader and more somber narrative of American life. Both books feature poignant stories reflecting the harsh realities of American society.

Packer uses these personal narratives to illustrate seismic changes, revealing the dramatic transformation of American society from 1978 to 2012. This period saw a shift from economic prosperity and robust institutions to economic decline, social fragmentation, polarization, and political dysfunction—conditions that are prevalent today.

The three subjects—Jeff Connaughton, Dean Price, and Tammy Thomas—once held the deeply ingrained American Dream. But over three decades, all three were left with nothing but the sadness of shattered dreams. Why did this happen? Was it because they were not hardworking enough? Packer does not directly answer these questions. However, he portrays a collective image of several newly successful figures in American society, allowing readers to deduce the answers through the stark contrast.

Packer's book effectively contrasts the nation’s glorious past with its miserable present. Through a blend of investigative journalism and narrative non-fiction, Packer crafts a compelling account that, though rooted in reality, feels almost fictional in its dire gravity. Technically, he often lets his characters do the talking, which makes it more realistic.

The book evokes a profound sense of both sadness and anger, prompting readers wondering how and why.

By placing individual stories within a larger historical context, Packer helps readers understand the forces driving the transformation over four decades, making the changes more comprehensible through the lens of personal experiences.

The Chinese saying: "积重难返" (jī zhòng nán fǎn), meaning: "deeply entrenched problems are hard to change" or "deep-rooted issues are difficult to overcome." It implies that problems that have accumulated over time are challenging to rectify.

The Unwinding is not merely a historical account but a stark mirror reflecting the tumultuous journey of American society. Though I generally maintain an optimistic outlook, the book delivers a jarring reality check, truly challenging any overly hopeful view of the nation’s trajectory.

A friend of mine asked me a question about JD Vance last Saturday, but an event that day delayed my answer. Here it is.

The question was: Vance's faith in God pulled him through in the past, but will it continue to guide him now and in the future when he is in power? Honestly, this is not an easy question to answer, as there is much more to consider.

The question brought to mind Rui Xu, the first Chinese American state representative in Kansas, whom we interviewed in 2023. When we asked him how he made decisions, he said, "My guiding light is to make a decision that my daughter will be proud of, that I'm not going to regret. I would regret it if I didn't fight for what I believe. If I lose, I don't care, but I will always sleep better." I am not sure if Rui Xu believes in God, but he certainly has a belief system, an anchor in his life, which serves him well. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for JD Vance. We don't know what truly motivated him to enter public service.

We also don't know if JD Vance has a guiding light in life like Rui Xu. If Vance's faith were truly the center of his life as he might profess, it would guide him in critical decision-making and throughout his career.

Even if he started with some noble purpose, he might change later on. When Vance holds a position of high power, he is exposed to pressure from interest groups, the risk of corruption, and the lure of more power. Does he have a strong value system to stick to his original goal? Does his belief help him address the conflicts of interest between serving his country and his political ambitions?

We know he is a smart and ambitious man, having taken on roles at law firms or investment jobs after graduating from Yale in 2013. In 2016, he decided to move back to Ohio, where he was considering a nonprofit endeavor. In 2018, he planned to run for the US Senate, a race he won in 2022. Some have suggested that his nonprofit work ostensibly served a good cause, but in reality, its purpose was to advance his political ambitions. "A 2021 report by Business Insider revealed that Our Ohio Renewal's tax filings showed that in its first year, it spent more on 'management services' provided by its executive director Jai Chabria, who also served as Vance's top political adviser, than it did on programs to fight opioid abuse."

There is a Chinese saying, 大权在握, 心中无德 (Dàquán zài wò, xīn zhōng wú dé), meaning, "With great power in hand but no virtue in his heart." It captures the potential dangers and moral pitfalls of holding power without a strong moral and ethical foundation. The unhinged people with power are more likely to become super destructive. It's worth noting that many of former President Trump's associates didn't end up well: Steven Bannon, Roger Stone, Allen Weisselberg, Peter Navarro, Paul Manafort, Michael Cohen, Michael Flynn, Rick Gates, and many others.

Throughout all this, I smell his burning passion for political power. However, I don't see any evidence of a guiding light like Rui Xu's or any faith in God. It is perfectly understandable that people are drawn to power, but the question remains: for what higher purpose?

This brings us to a crucial question: in the pursuit of power, does JD Vance have a guiding light or a steadfast moral compass or a clear set of values? As we watch JD Vance's journey unfold, we should remember that true greatness is not just about achieving power but about serving the country and the people with integrity, wisdom, and a commitment to the greater good, transcending his personal gain. 

Only time will tell if Vance's faith is strong enough to guide him through his political life or if his ambitions will overshadow his professed beliefs. 

As civilization moves forward, it is the guiding lights and the value within our leaders that often shape the course of history.

As I am writing this, I remind myself of my guiding light. I hope you too.

I planned to continue discussing the JD Vance saga today. However, an incident yesterday morning shifted my focus.

A friend connected me to someone from the Midwest. I'm unsure what prompted her outreach. She introduced me to Capitalism and Freedom by Milton Friedman and praised the MAGA movement. But she abruptly ended the conversation and cut off connection upon learning that I wasn't thrilled about either, without hearing my perspective. Now that I mentioned Friedman's book, I'm gong to say something about it.

Milton Friedman follows the tradition of laissez-faire economics and minimal government intervention. Similar to Adam Smith's "invisible hand" theory—where individuals driven by self-interest inadvertently contribute to society's overall welfare through free markets—Friedman believed that voluntary exchanges in a competitive market lead to a better society.

Both Friedman and Smith argued that markets are more efficient at resource allocation than government intervention. They posited that free market prices reflect the true value of goods and services, thus guiding resources to their most productive uses.

Both also advocated for a limited government role in central planning and providing public goods, emphasizing Enlightenment ideals of liberty, individualism, and autonomy.

Regarding charity, Friedman argued that it should be handled by private organizations and local communities rather than relying solely on government assistance. However, this raises the question: what happens when local communities and private help are unavailable?

Modern civilization is also built on the ideals of liberty, equity, and fraternity. Friedman's focus on individual responsibility, free markets, and a limited government role bears some resemblance to social Darwinism, which emphasizes "survival of the fittest."

Despite my reservations, I recommend Capitalism and Freedom. Milton Friedman, though passionate about his ideas, exemplified a true gentleman's approach to debate, ironically so different from the person who recommended his book to me yesterday. In sharp contrast to today's often mean-spirited political discourse, filled with rants and ravings, Friedman engaged with opposing views respectfully, civilly and thoughtfully. He treated those disagreed with him as rational individuals with different perspectives, fostering a spirit of constructive dialogue.

By the way, there's a Chinese saying, “和而不同” (hé ér bù tóng) meaning: "harmony in diversity" or "seeking harmony without uniformity" or we disagree with each other harmoniously. It is the essence of engaging in civic and respectful discourse and understanding differing viewpoints.

In an era where polarized opinions often lead to hostility, Friedman's respectful manner reminds us of the importance of civil discourse. Only through open, earnest and respectful dialogue can we hope to bridge divides and work towards a more inclusive and equitable society. After all, civilization moves on, regardless of which social system or party triumphs.

Yesterday I mentioned that the white working class has become the most pessimistic group in American society. This perspective was highlighted in a 2011 article in The Atlantic titled "The White Working Class: The Most Pessimistic Group in America."

When I recently passed NYC's HERRC (Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers), I saw many despondent-looking migrants outside the center. I thought of the white working class in America. Although these newly arrived immigrants—whether Asian, Hispanic, or African—face unimaginable poverty and hardships, according to the study, the white working class is even more pessimistic.

There are several possible explanations for this. First, many new immigrants are drawn to this country by the promise of the "American Dream." They arrive with hopes of building a better future for themselves or their children. On the other hand, the American white working class, after experiencing the loss of well-paying jobs in the once-thriving steel belt, no longer believes in the "American Dream."

This is a good Chinese saying describing the sadness over the loss of one's dream, "梦碎心殇" (mèng suì xīn shāng) meaning: "dream shattered, heart wounded," capturing the sense of profound loss that comes with the loss of a once cherished dream, reflecting the sentiments of the white working class losing American dream.

Second, the white working class shares the same beliefs as mainstream society and identify themselves as proud members of the great American middle class. Now, they find themselves marginalized, either tearing away from the mainstream or no longer belonging there. Seeing factory doors closed and jobs outsourced beyond their control, they know it is impossible to return to the glorious days of the past when they could make a good middle-class living.

This pessimistic feeling reminds me of the book The Passing of the Great Race by Madison Grant, published in 1916. Grant categorized races based on physical traits, with Nordic and Teutonic races deemed superior, followed by Alpine and Mediterranean, then Baltic and Slav, with negroes considered the lowest. Grant was pessimistic over the passing of these supposedly superior races. To me, the book is valuable only as a historical account of early American obsession with eugenics and understanding how the minds of some people worked.

The vanishing of manufacturing jobs, the erosion of community structures, and the disillusionment with the "American Dream" all contribute to the deep sense of hopelessness felt by the American white working class. There is no easy solution to bring back their lost dream and restore faith in the possibility of a better future.

Addressing the challenges faced by the white working class requires tremendous amount of wisdom, political courages and resources that includes revitalizing local economies, rebuilding community support systems, and offering realistic pathways to economic stability. Without such efforts, the sense of hopelessness and marginalization will continue to deepen, with significant implications for the social fabric and the wealth of the nation.

Yesterday, I discussed Vance's book on an individual level, "Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis," emphasizing that it is much more than a personal memoir. Vance raises several serious issues about American society. I think these problems are rooted in three areas: culture, economics, and the system.

Culturally, Vance's portrayal of his family and upbringing evokes the chaotic imagery of "Turning and turning in the widening gyre ... Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold," with uncontrollable traumatic events like violence, drug addiction, poverty, and sheer hopelessness. The collapse of family and community—the essential fabric of a society—leaves individuals, especially the vulnerable population, without the emotional, social, and economic shelter, protection, and stability they need to survive and thrive.

This collapse creates a vacuum where many functions fail to be fulfilled. In pre-industrial societies, many of these functions were managed by the church, which provided moral guidance, charity, and support for the weak in the community. Ironically, modern capitalist society, built on individualism, opposite to collective support, has failed to fulfill many functions of the church, particularly in times of significant social and technological change like we see today.

Economically, a large army of skilled workers who used to make a good living in the old steel belt were outpaced by the pace of history when the steel turned rusted, when the country experienced industrial upgrading, coupled with the outsourcing of manufacturing, and when the government failed to step in. These people, lacking good culture and stable jobs, have become the most pessimistic group in American society.

Systemically, the book makes the world see the vast chasm in the wealthiest country in the world between the American elite and the vast number of American hillbillies. This is determined by the nature of the capitalist system, whose ultimate goal is to maximize profit for the capitalists. One classic example is outsourcing its manufacturing to third-world countries where labor is cheaper than American workers. The global flow of capital is driven solely by seeking maximum profit. Where the country's money is spent depends on where profit can be made for the capitalists. Building the country's outdated infrastructure or job training for the displaced workers is seen as a money-burning endeavor. On the other hand, making every effort to support war means good business for military capitalists. Realistically speaking, given the current distribution of wealth and power structure in the U.S., the vast chasm between the two extremes will never disappear.

"Hillbilly Elegy" is not just an inspiring story of an individual's triumph over adversity but an evocative presentation of the broader issues plaguing America and many modern societies today. It highlights the urgent need to understand the cultural, economic, and systemic roots of these problems. Addressing these issues requires a tremendous amount of wisdom and courage. On this, my pessimism is not far off that of the hillbilly's.