IBARW 3: Chinese Minority Groups
Compared to the U.S., China seems like a homogeneous country. But in addition to the Han majority, there are 55 different ethnic minorities. One, the Manchu, even ruled China during the Qing dynasty. (During which they discriminated, naturally, against Han Chinese.) When the Qing dynasty was overthrown by the Nationalist party, ethnic minorities essentially ceased to exist in federal eyes. The Communists made an effort to register various minority groups, but even then, their official names were assigned by Han. [source] Today, those with at least 1/8 ethnic minority blood are allowed to have multiple children without penalty. Pretty good, right?
But in homogeneous China, standing out from the collective is rarely beneficial. Minorities have either assimilated, adopting Western dress and blending with the Han, or endured constant exoticism. I'm certainly guilty of it--in my Chinese folk dance class, we learn dances from different minority groups and enjoy the strange costumes. Most Chinese people, I think, simply ignore the minority groups; they are recognized only when convenient, such as in the 2008 Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony. Which is sad, because an important part of Chinese culture is overlooked.
And the Tibet issue--I don't know nearly enough about it. Anyone want to explain in comments? (I'm proudly pro-Tibet, for the same reason that I would be pro-Quebec secession if they ever vote to do so.)
But in homogeneous China, standing out from the collective is rarely beneficial. Minorities have either assimilated, adopting Western dress and blending with the Han, or endured constant exoticism. I'm certainly guilty of it--in my Chinese folk dance class, we learn dances from different minority groups and enjoy the strange costumes. Most Chinese people, I think, simply ignore the minority groups; they are recognized only when convenient, such as in the 2008 Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony. Which is sad, because an important part of Chinese culture is overlooked.
And the Tibet issue--I don't know nearly enough about it. Anyone want to explain in comments? (I'm proudly pro-Tibet, for the same reason that I would be pro-Quebec secession if they ever vote to do so.)