Yanwen’s blog

Utica, a small city in New York, came into the international spotlight when the BBC reported, "Boy, 13, shot dead by New York police had replica gun, authorities say." This tragic event occurred at the end of June in Utica, NY, USA.

The significance of this incident in a small city is underscored by the fact that it drew attention from global news outlets like the BBC.

The victim, Nyah Mwa, was a member of the Karen ethnic minority community in Utica. This city, with a population of about 65,000, is home to nearly 8,000 people from Myanmar. Most of them came as refugees, fleeing their country to escape oppression. They are deeply grateful to the country that opened its doors to them. With that grateful mindset, they naturally tend to idealize American society.

Nyah's parents and three siblings are devastated beyond words. His sister said, “My brother was an outgoing kid who loved to be outside biking and playing with his friends and family. Our parents and grandparents did not flee war and a corrupt military to be persecuted by American police.”

This is undoubtedly a real tragedy. However, I doubt the police will face punishment for this. The officer was justified in chasing the boy, suspecting him to be involved in an armed robbery because he resembled the description of the criminal. The boy ran only to make things worse. Additionally, the shooting would likely be deemed self-defense, as the officer believed the boy was aiming a real gun at him.

This incident is reminiscent of Michael Brown's case in Ferguson, Missouri. In the end, the court ruled that the police officer acted in self-defense when he killed Brown.

Beyond the immediate tragedy, there is a deeper one rooted in the family's idealized view of American society and a lack of understanding of its realities.

First, law enforcement officers are not immune to racial profiling or bias. We have witnessed too many such cases recently.

Second, if a cop suspects you of any criminal activity, running away only increases their suspicion and intensifies the pursuit. The commonsense practice is to stop and raise your hands high.

Third, brandishing a toy gun at an officer is incredibly dangerous and literally invites lethal consequences. This is the last thing you should do. But that's exactly what the boy did before his death.

A fitting Chinese saying for this situation is "水土不服" (shuǐ tǔ bù fú), which literally translates to "unable to adapt to the local water and soil." This describes someone who is uprooted from the land and culture that nurtured and raised them and is struggling but fail to adapt to a new environment or culture. In the context of the Utica tragic incident, this saying captures the idea that Nyah Mwa's family, who fled from a war-torn country to the U.S., may not have been fully prepared for the cultural and societal differences they encountered, leading to devastating loss.

Most importantly, Nyah Mwa's death serves as a stark lesson for all immigrants to America: be prepared. It is crucial to learn about American culture and society and understand what they are in for and how to protect themselves when facing law enforcement officers.

A friend of mine recently recounted one of her moments when exiting Walmart. This reminded me of our experiences at Walmart in St. Louis last summer.

It was very unpleasant, to say the least. We stopped at a Walmart to pick up some fruits before visiting our friends in St. Louis. We were in a huge rush and forgot to take the receipt after self-checkout. The guy at the door stopped us for the receipt.

We went back and found it gone. But the guy insisted on having the receipt. They have a surveillance camera above. "Why don't you check your recording over there to see we did pay for it?" I said. But they would not do it for us. It takes another level of security personnel to do it.

Finally, the manager arrived. "Check your transaction history from your database. We paid about $24 with a credit card, ending xxxx." It took a long time for her to retrieve it because their system is older than your grandfather's age.

The whole time I felt like a shoplifter until I could prove otherwise. Why do customers have to prove their innocence with a receipt? I felt extremely frustrated.

I understand the need for receipt-checking due to the surge of store theft and the billion-dollar loss as a result. I see various mechanisms installed against theft, including locking up valuable items. Now it takes a long time to find a Walmart person to get a locked-up item. Shopping experience hit the bottom low at Walmart.

Because of my story, I was delighted to hear a story in which a person wins a battle over Walmart. She bought a whole cart of items at Walmart. It would take a long time if a Walmart door person itemized her receipt at the door. So, at the door, she showed the long receipt and told the guy with stone seriousness, "Don't touch my items. Legally, once I paid for these items, they don't belong to Walmart. Walmart has no right to touch my personal items." The Walmart guy understood and just surveyed the cart without touching any of the items.

Legally, in fact, the store cannot force a customer to show a receipt upon leaving the store unless they suspect that customer has committed a theft.

Because we don't want to get into any trouble, we just obeyed. There is a Chinese saying, 入乡随俗 (rù xiāng suí sú), meaning "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." For peace of mind, I think this is the best policy to follow.

However, this incident made me focus on the balance between security measures and customer experience. The challenge is how we can prevent theft and at the same time treat all customers with respect and dignity. The frustration and indignity we felt could have been avoided with a bit more understanding and flexibility from the store staff.

Perhaps more efficient technology or better staff training could help achieve this balance. For now, as customers, while we try to understand the store's situation, we also need to know our legal rights.

Let us hope that with the reduction in store theft, the practice of receipt checking will become obsolete someday.

Just as we adapt to local customs for peace of mind, stores should also strive to create a more humane and respectful environment, so we all feel valued and respected as we should be in a civilized country.

Two seemingly unrelated events recently have left me feeling uneasy. First, a few days ago, our neighbor informed us of a burglary in the house next to ours. It was a Friday evening when the burglars broke in through the back door. Fortunately, no one was hurt as the house was empty at the time. Our neighbor attributed the rise in property crime to the influx of undocumented immigrants into New York city.

I'm not sure of that, though historically, society often sees spikes in property crime during times of economic recession, depression, or chaos, like a pandemic. The Great Depression in the 1930s is a prime example, when various property crimes, including theft and burglary, surged due to widespread poverty and hardship. It's difficult to blame people for resorting to illegal activities when their families are hungry, and they have no means to provide for them.

Modern societies, particularly those like the U.S. that claim to be humanitarian leaders, should do their utmost to alleviate hardships by meeting basic needs like food and shelter. Furthermore, if the government permits the inflow of undocumented immigrants, it should also provide comprehensive support, such as job opportunities and skills training. In addition to these measures, crime prevention efforts should not be neglected.

The second event involves a conversation with my son yesterday. He mentioned that his college classmate, who recently got married, plans to buy a six-bedroom house worth over $2m. I told my son that young people in China today prioritize experiences over possessions. Instead of acquiring large houses, fancy cars, or brand-name goods, they invest their money in enriching life experiences. My son responded that Americans want both.

At that moment, I thought of the many undocumented immigrants and the phrase "朱门酒肉臭，路有冻死骨" (zhū mén jiǔ ròu chòu, lù yǒu dòng sǐ gǔ). It means, "Behind the red gates of the rich are wine and meat that go to waste, while out on the road lie the frozen bones of the poor." This saying vividly captures the stark contrast between the opulence and wastefulness of the wealthy and the abject suffering of the poor. A story that perfectly matches this sentiment is "The Little Match Girl" by Hans Christian Andersen.

The huge disparities between these two extremes existed in the past and are still present today, even when we are supposed to be so much more advanced.

In reflecting on these events, it's clear that if we want a safe and secure environment to live in, we can't sit idle without addressing economic inequality and providing support for those in need, for no man is an island and the bell tolls for thee. The challenge lies in balancing the pursuit of personal wealth and comfort with a commitment to social responsibility and empathy for those less fortunate. Only by addressing these disparities can we hope to make real progress toward a more equitable and safe world for all.

Friday evening teaching English to a 6-year-old is not something I look forward to. Initially, there were issues with classroom behavior; she played with toys while I was talking, a sign of a lack of discipline.

After discussing this with her mom, she now behaves well and pays attention. However, she still doesn't seem to retain what I teach. For example, I teach her a word, and a minute later, she shows no trace of having learned it.

I remember before my son turned 5, I taught him 10 Chinese characters during dinner. He remembered them all the next morning during breakfast and soon could read simple Chinese picture books. Later, he lost interest, and I gave up. That's another story.

When I shared my current teaching challenge with someone, I was hoping for a solution. Instead, they remarked, "People are different. Some are just not smart enough to learn."

I don't want to draw that conclusion so early. Learning is more complicated than that. When I taught my son, I used both pictures and stories. For instance, with characters 快 (fast) and 慢 (slow), I drew two persons: one of a person called 快 and another called 慢. The second person, 慢, was slower because he carried two large pieces of luggage on his back. This visual approach seemed to fit my son's learning style well.

Perhaps I should try other learning styles with my young student. Currently, we rely entirely on auditory methods. It's essential not to draw conclusions too early without trying various approaches.

Moving forward, I'll explore different techniques, such as visual aids and storytelling, to see if they resonate better with her. Every student has the potential to learn; it’s just a matter of finding the right key to unlock their brains.

I have learned that teaching is also a journey of discovery for both the teacher and the student. The key is being patient and open to new approaches. I hope to foster a love of learning in my young student. I also hope parents could learn something from my experience. Whether it's through pictures, stories, or hands-on activities, I'll continue to try out the methods that help her shine, believing every child's mind is unique, and it's our job to find the best way to help them grow.

Today, I want to talk about two seemingly unrelated things. First, I recall the time when my son was a high school freshman. Twenty years have passed since then, and the term 青涩少年 (qīng sè shào nián) comes to mind. It means "green and astringent youth," referring to someone who is immature, naive, and inexperienced. While I miss that 青涩少年, I'm also glad to see he has transformed from that immature youth into the CEO of his own 10-year-old company, now employing over 120 people.

Witnessing his journey has been incredible. Both of us have entered new stages in our lives, finding unique meanings in our respective paths. I hope we continue our daily efforts and keep our eyes on the bright distant horizon.

The second topic is freedom. I often hear people talk about the immense freedom individuals enjoy in the U.S. They throw the word "freedom" around casually, as if they fully understand its depth.

Freedom comes in many dimensions. Countries like the U.S., with freedoms enshrined in their laws and constitution, provide a legal foundation for personal liberties, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and the press. These external freedoms create an environment where individuals can explore their potential and express themselves without fear.

However, true freedom is deeply rooted in one's thinking and independent spirit. Historical figures like Galileo Galilei and Nicolaus Copernicus exemplify this. They not only thought independently against external forces but also had the courage to uphold and fight for their beliefs, much like Martin Luther.

Forces limiting individual freedom also come in many forms, whether from the government, social norms, or conventional thinking. In countries with guaranteed external freedoms, those without a free spirit may still be mere mouthpieces of authority, being trapped by societal expectations, cultural norms, or personal insecurities.

Conversely, even in countries with limited political freedoms, individuals with a free spirit can achieve a sense of internal freedom through critical thinking and self-reflection. True freedom lies in the ability to think independently and live authentically, regardless of external circumstances.

Remember, living in a "free country" does not automatically grant you a free spirit. Without independent thought, one can be as restricted in mind as those living under overt oppression. The extreme case of people with free spirits can be found among those in the Nazi Auschwitz concentration camp. Despite facing unimaginable horrors, some individuals maintained their inner freedom and humanity, refusing to let their spirit be broken.

Reflecting on my son's journey and the broader concept of freedom, I am reminded that both personal growth and true freedom require courage, persistence, and a willingness to challenge the status quo and question crowd and conventional thinking.

Whether through personal experiences or philosophical exploration, the essence of true freedom is the same: it is about thinking independently and living authentically. As we continue on our journeys, let us remember to nurture our free spirits, embracing the challenges and opportunities that come our way.