Tales of Spiritrock

Chapter 7: Black White Grey

Although tragedy may strike the hearts of man and Spirit alike, we must all remember that history is not set in stone. And that not everything is black and white.

+-+-+-+-+-+-+

August 19, 2008:

As the news drones on I hear about the attacks across the nation on Wenjie memorial vigils being held. This, in a way, both surprises yet does not surprise me as their government doesn't want others to remember that the event at Wenjie happened nearly two decades ago.

"That is absolutely awful what the people of China will do to try and make you forget something." My harlequin rabbit son of my own flesh and blood is right beside me on our living room couch. Clearly he does not understand.

"It is not all of the Chinese citizens born of and raised in that country that are terrible people. Most people tend to think that it is all of them that are wholeheartedly evil and / or brainwashed, when in fact there are probably plenty of people living there who are against their government." He looks at me with a puzzled look. Being a tween, Jericho has a lot to learn about how this world works.

"What do you mean?"

"Let me answer with a question that will hopefully clear things up. Does every American support our government all the time?"

"No. But what does it... Oh!" He seems to be getting it.

"For a myriad of reasons, every man and Spirit alike may or may not like who is in charge. Some may support their leaders without question. Some may do it as it is how they're raised and others not to be punished. Conversely, some may criticize their government over their rule. Though they might not always vocalize their thoughts to protect themselves from harm of such opinions being demonized by their leader, resulting in their downfall."

"Is that how it works in China?"

"Most certainly. The Wenjie vigil memorials held across the nation in local Chinese communities are proof of dissent and this year shows the conviction of those who wholeheartedly believe in what their leaders say. Though I would think that some in the latter probably are only acting in either self-preservation or self-interest."

"You really think so?"

"Yep. A lot of people anymore seem to think the events happening around the world are either black or white. Yet, more often than not, the world works more in shades of grey than either black or white. This is also one such moment in history that is an example of such."

"Woah. I never thought of it like that."

"The older you become and the more varied experiences you have the more you will see this to be true. As it stands, I personally do not blame either side for such events happening as both side have their reasoning. Legally, what happened is technically considered domestic terrorism, yet I don't blame them."

"Why?"

"Black, white, or grey, not everyone involved has to be labeled as a bad person as there is always room to grow. Plus, there are probably some who only joined in so that they might be able to leave their country never to return. There's a reason why there's a ton of Chinese living abroad and it isn't always about vacationing or spreading Chinese influence either."

"So, all the people born and raised there aren't all super brainwashed. Huh."

"Yep. And it is our duty to make sure there is separation between the populace of any country and their government since any government trying to tell you that they represent every single person of a specific race are frauds and most likely authoritarian in nature. Though the talk on authoritarian countries, like China, is gonna have to wait until later..."