xiaodoudou

Read Overseachina's little story. It is about identities of Nations here. Interesting topic.

If there is an older immigrant who tells you that you look like people from such and such a country, this person has some knowledge about that country or many countries because he/she notises the national differences. This person is not merchant(e). If some older immigrant tells you that you are strange, then it shows that he/she doesn't know where you come from, he/she doesn't care and he/she doesn't like you.

I see that many Chinses are always fighting about their identities here in Canada. It is very understandable. I am a Chinese immigrant too. I fought about this problem for sometime as well. But I have solved this : who Am I problem.

We chose to come to Canada. Whether we want to be Canadian citizen or not after, that is not important. What is important is that WE CHOSE to come here and we NOW live here in this country. We have to make things work for us. Things have to work for everybody.

We have to be strong, first of all,  knowing who we were before, what country we came from and what country was it like. Then we have to get to know as much as possible what county we are running into: what kind of country is Canada. Before many come to this country, I am sure there had been or have been many misunderstandings and misleadings about what Canada is. Now after years of waiting, we are here astoningly found that Canada is not what we were told and we dreamed of. We couldn't realize who we were and what we have run into before we really live here for quite a while. Our contemporary Chinese values, value-guided behaviours and our abilities to get adapted to new world is seriously challenged.

I do not want to talk about how many of us feel discreminated here in the new wolrd. It serves nothing to critisize the blamers. I want to talk about ourselves.
I can not avoid talking about our nature here now. We chinese are a great nation back, but it has waken up a quarter of a century ago only to have found out that we were lagged far behind. As the survival nature of creatures, we started to look for solutions. First great thing we did was to open the tightly closed gate of China to the outside world. Second step, many bold and ambitious Chinese with ideals dashed out. If we look back, we should always keep in mind that we came out for learning, to see how far we have been lagged back and where and how we were lagged behind. Chinese are Chinese, people are just people, but we should not feel bad about who we were ( because of historical reasons, we may have many different values, habits, some havve been great and some are not so great and even urgly ) and we should always remember our destiny: to bring Glory to China and add new things to Chinese culture and bring Glory to God to make him proud of us. Stop feeling that we are discriminated ( we are actually not, because I deeply believe that it is not the purpose to Canada to bring immigrants to this country in order to humiliate them). It is normal that we have arguments among people we live with. These arguments should not turn into negative feelings about the differences of nations and these should not upgrade to levels of feeling discriminated. Believe me, better developped countries, the majority of the people here, they are educated in the way which gives them the better ability to be kind and nice and to sense the rightiousness of their behavoir towards people even from other countries. We need to believe that sometimes, not always, some people have some bad comments about Chinese, it is not because he discriminates Chinese, it is really because it happens at this moment, the person he makes comment about is Chinese. Grunpy people are never happy and they always complain not only about Chinese, but about everybody. We should not get paranoyed about these little people without breed.

So we should BELIEVE and TRUST. Those are the 2 things we should all have in mind especially when we are here in another country, nevertheless, is living in China perfect?Maybe you feel worse more often than in here?! Don't forget that the 2 sons of Liu Bei wanted to kill each other for the throne and one general who won the battle humiliated the defeated general demanding him crawling through his legs. I wonder if we still have memories about the Cultural Revolution. Fortunately we are not living in those times and unfortunately these things happened anywhere in the history and in every country.

So we should overlook the identity. Only remember that good values should be proud of and will be kept long no matter where they come from and which country or nation they belong to. We should feel relaxed about how we look. If we bear good values and behave nicely with good value, we will be appreciated and recognized. If not, the hell with it. I live my life in a graceful world, happy and bring hapiness around me: THAT is what God wants us to do: enjoy life that is the most precious and solid and strongest factor in life despite of all possibles mishapenings...

So proud to be whoever you are. You are no one else despite of the body you live in, the sunshine you enjoy, the earth you stand on and the air you breathe in. Don't worry too much about anything else. Fortunately we are already living in a country where the air and soil are cleaner, too much sun may as well cause cancer...

Trust that each person has its destiny, each person is worth something and each person has the right to be happy and proud regardless of the social status and wealth. Believe hard in that and we all have hope as people who has one nation only: that is the nation of Universe ( God ) if you may no matter what face we have and what coulours we bear...

Thanks for sharing stories with us, Overseachina, and have a good sleep!

xiaodoudou

Hello, Queenie_Nice:

I quite agree that Not hanging our national flag doens't mean that we do not love China.

We are not ashamed to be Chinese for sure, but I am not sure if your child will feel that she/he is Chinese when she/he grows up. Our children who followed their parents here when they were very young, when they grow up, they maybe able to speak Chinese, understand Chinese, but most probably not feel Chinese anymore. If you don't believe me, bring your child back to China when she/he is 25 years old and ask him who she/he is. That will be interesting to see and hear.

I think that it is important to let our children know our origines, our root and  that we are people who have been nurtured by the culture called Chinese. Children are too young to understand the concept of nation ( country ) which is very complicated and delicate to understand even for us adults, less the children. I think it is wise just to confirm in their little minds the value of equality rather than confuse them talking about the concept of country ( political ).

We come here because we think Canada has opportunities. Not for making more money ( we can make money in China and live physically comfortably ), but for something else. I think we come here for HAVING CHOICES and for our children to have choices. It is a dream that we Chinese have been fighting forfor centuries and centuries: freedom to make choices and a nicer & comparatively faire life. We want us to be somewhat different than we were in China: nicer, faire, giving chances to others, more generous to others, more graceful, etc. We want to develop the good natures in us and live with dignity, respect and love. I believe all Chinese will agree that unfortunately, our dear China ( politically) seems to be a much harder and tougher country for all those nice things to grow. So what are we going to do about us and our children? We are really a special kind of people ( mostly been to Universities ) now live in a speical period of time: Transition. We have to boldy give away many things in order to continue our great choices and challenges we took to come to Canada and we have to find our NEW IDENTITY. This new identity has our Chinese culture( not China as a country-politically) as the base. All other aspects, it will have to depend on each individual and each of our children.

Our children who followed us here, those who are older like 12-18 years old, those who didn't come here very very young, they must have difficulties concerning the same WHO WE ARE question, especially when their parents are in this period of transition ( they themselves are quite lost, I guess ). So for those parents who come here with older children, I really hope that they can have some support from us adults. I hope that we do not give them extra troubles during their proceedure of integration ( I have seen many conflicts between them ). As parents who are in this period of transition, we need to put down our dignity as parents who know anything and everything in the world in front of our kids ( many Chinese parents behave like this ), and start learning TOGETHER with our children. You will be surprised how much you can learn together them them. What we parents should do with our kids( older kids),  when we ourselves don't even know the answer, is to hold their hands when you talk t them and say: I love you and I trust your judgement. Then again, you will see surprises.

This is all for those who have kids here. I wholeheartedly hope that our kids,  who are our hopes,and happiness,  if not only, will grow up into healthier, wiser, more generous and more graceful people in this new world.

Thank you Queenie_Nice to share your ideas with us.

Have a nice day!

Post by queenie_nice
每每看到这样的贴，就无语了~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

其实挂不挂国旗并说明不了爱不爱国，你说你是不是中国人也无所谓，问题是，你长着这张脸，就算你换了几本护照也好，在老外面前，你还是个中国人。

至少我并不羞于承认自己是中国人，我也会教育自己的孩子，无论换了什么国籍，自己都是中国人。这是不可改变的事实。

benbenben

Post by shabu
  蒙城的华人们，让我们也自豪地把国旗挂出来吧！看到中国国旗的时候和对方打个招呼吧！看到需要帮忙的中国人的时候可以帮就出来帮一下吧！谁叫我们都是中国人呢！

中华人民共和国国旗法

  

               

（１９９０年６月２８日第七届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第十四次会议通过１９９０年６月２８日中华人民共和国主席令第２８号公布自１９９０年１０月１日起施行）

         

    　

                      第一条       为了维护国旗的尊严，增强公民的国家观念，发扬爱国主义精神，根据宪法，制定本法。

      第二条 中华人民共和国国旗是五星红旗。

      中华人民共和国国旗按照中国人民政治协商会议第一届全体会议主席团公布的国旗制法说明制作。

      第三条       中华人民共和国国旗是中华人民共和国的象征和标志。

      每个公民和组织，都应当尊重和爱护国旗。

      第四条       地方各级人民政府对本行政区域内国旗的升挂和使用，实施监督管理。

      外交部、国务院交通主管部门、中国人民解放军总政治部对各自管辖范围内国旗的升挂和使用，实施监督管理。

      国旗由省、自治区、直辖市的人民政府指定的企业制作。

      第五条       下列场所或者机构所在地，应当每日升挂国旗：

      （一）北京天安门广场、新华门；

      （二）全国人民代表大会常务委员会，国务院，中央军事委员会，最高人民法院，最高人民检察院；

      中国人民政治协商会议全国委员会；

      （三）外交部；

      （四）出境入境的机场、港口、火车站和其他边境口岸，边防海防哨所。

      第六条       国务院各部门，地方各级人民代表大会常务委员会、人民政府、人民法院、人民检察院，中国人民政治协商会议地方各级委员会，应当在工作日升挂国旗。

      全日制学校，除寒假、暑假和星期日外，应当每日升挂国旗。

      第七条       国庆节、国际劳动节、元旦和春节，各级国家机关和各人民团体应当升挂国旗；企业事业组织，村民委员会、居民委员会，城镇居民院（楼）以及广场、公园等公共活动场所，有条件的可以升挂国旗。

      不以春节为传统节日的少数民族地区，春节是否升挂国旗，由民族自治地方的自治机关规定。

      民族自治地方在民族自治地方成立纪念日和主要传统民族节日，可以升挂国旗。

      第八条       举行重大庆祝、纪念活动，大型文化、体育活动，大型展览会，可以升挂国旗。

      第九条       外交活动以及国家驻外使馆领馆和其他外交代表机构升挂、使用国旗的办法，由外交部规定。

      第十条       军事机关、军队营区、军用舰船，按照中央军事委员会的有关规定升挂国旗。

      第十一条       民用船舶和进入中国领水的外国船舶升挂国旗的办法，由国务院交通主管部门规定。

      公安部门执行边防、治安、消防任务的船舶升挂国旗的办法，由国务院公安部门规定。

      第十二条       依照本法第五条、第六条、第七条的规定升挂国旗的，应当早晨升起，傍晚降下。

      依照本法规定应当升挂国旗的，遇有恶劣天气，可以不升挂。

      第十三条 升挂国旗时，可以举行升旗仪式。

      举行升旗仪式时，在国旗升起的过程中，参加者应当面向国旗肃立致敬，并可以奏国歌或者唱国歌。

      全日制中学小学，除假期外，每周举行一次升旗仪式。

      第十四条 下列人士逝世，下半旗志哀：

      （一）中华人民共和国主席、全国人民代表大会常务委员会委员长、国务院总理、中央军事委员会主席；

      （二）中国人民政治协商会议全国委员会主席；

      （三）对中华人民共和国作出杰出贡献的人；

      （四）对世界和平或者人类进步事业作出杰出贡献的人。

      发生特别重大伤亡的不幸事件或者严重自然灾害造成重大伤亡时，可以下半旗志哀。

      依照本条第一款（三）、（四）项和第二款的规定下半旗，由国务院决定。

      依照本条规定下半旗的日期和场所，由国家成立的治丧机构或者国务院决定。

      第十五条 升挂国旗，应当将国旗置于显著的位置。

      列队举持国旗和其他旗帜行进时，国旗应当在其他旗帜之前。

      国旗与其他旗帜同时升挂时，应当将国旗置于中心、较高或者突出的位置。

      在外事活动中同时升挂两个以上国家的国旗时，应当按照外交部的规定或者国际惯例升挂。

      第十六条       在直立的旗杆上升降国旗，应当徐徐升降。升起时，必须将国旗升至杆顶；降下时，不得使国旗落地。

      下半旗时，应当先将国旗升至杆顶，然后降至旗顶与杆顶之间的距离为旗杆全长的三分之一处；降下时，应当先将国旗升至杆顶，然后再降下。

      第十七条       不得升挂破损、污损、褪色或者不合规格的国旗。

      第十八条       国旗及其图案不得用作商标和广告，不得用于私人丧事活动。

      第十九条       在公众场合故意以焚烧、毁损、涂划、玷污、践踏等方式侮辱中华人民共和国国旗的，依法追究刑事责任；情节较轻的，参照治安管理处罚条例的处罚规定，由公安机关处以十五日以下拘留。

      第二十条 本法自１９９０年１０月１日起施行。

      ： 国旗制法说明

      （１９４９年９月２８日中国人民政治

      协商会议第一届全体会议主席团公布）

      国旗的形状、颜色两面相同，旗上五星两面相对。为便利计，本件仅以旗杆在左之一面为说明之标准。对于旗杆在右之一面，凡本件所称左均应改右，所称右均应改左。

      （一）旗面为红色，长方形，其长与高为三与二之比，旗面左上方缀黄色五角星五颗。一星较大，其外接圆直径为旗高十分之三，居左；四星较小，其外接圆直径为旗高十分之一，环拱于大星之右。旗杆套为白色。

      （二）五星之位置与画法如下：

      甲、为便于确定五星之位置，先将旗面对分为四个相等的长方形，将左上方之长方形上下划为十等分，左右划为十五等分。

      乙、 大五角星的中心点，在该长方形上五下五、左五右十之处。其画法为：以此点为圆心，以三等分为半径作一圆。在此圆周上，定出五个等距离的点，其一点须位于圆 之正上方。然后将此五点中各相隔的两点相联，使各成一直线。此五直线所构成之外轮廓线，即为所需之大五角星。五角星之一个角尖正向上方。

      丙、 四颗小五角星的中心点，第一点在该长方形上二下八、左十右五之处，第二点在上四下六、左十二右三之处，第三点在上七下三、左十二右三之处，第四点在上九下 一、左十右五之处。其画法为：以以上四点为圆心，各以一等分为半径，分别作四个圆。在每个圆上各定出五个等距离的点，其中均须各有一点位于大五角星中心点 与以上四个圆心的各联结线上。然后用构成大五角星的同样方法，构成小五角星。此四颗小五角星均各有一个角尖正对大五角星的中心点。

      （三）国旗之通用尺度定为如下五种，各界酌情选用：

      甲、长２８８公分，高１９２公分。

      乙、长２４０公分，高１６０公分。

      丙、长１９２公分，高１２８公分。

      丁、长１４４公分，高９６公分。

      戊、长９６公分，高６４公分。

      中华人民共和国国旗制法图案（略）

      录自：中华人民共和国新法规汇编１９９０年第二辑第５２页。

benbenben

从网上搜到的一个网站，收录了中国历史上使用过的国旗及国歌介绍：

http://sunchateau.com/zl/china.htm

其实仅图案上看，大清朝的国旗也很不错，而1889.5-1912.2.12 大清帝国国旗上的龙又比之前的更显得跋扈一些。

verseau

赞同SHABU观点,  有句话说的好, 金窝银窝不如自己的草窝. 请想想即便你的英语法语再流利不过, 如果让你说中文是不是会更舒服自然, 你再西化, 天天让你吃西人吃的东西,你受得了吗, 所以说了, 家乡的味道, 属于我们中国人的东西你是永远难去掉的, 你就是去掉了,你那张面孔, 你的皮肤, 你的眼睛还是那个种族的人. 就算你整容了, 不谈你自己是否真的活得舒服坦然自若, 西人就认同你了吗, 约翰逊不就是例子 吗.  
中国人作为一个种族, 她的尊严和国家政党没有直接联系, 无论换任何一个政党, 任何一个国名, 我们种族的血统不会变, 所以既然你是这个族彝的人, 你应该是荣耀她不是让自卑, 狭隘, 龌龊玷污她. 一个人的崛起需要信念, 勇气和信心;一个国家民族的崛起也同样需要信念和勇气, 还有信心.

verseau

赞同SHABU观点, 有句话说的好, 金窝银窝不如自己的草窝. 请想想即便你的英语法语再流利不过, 如果让你说中文是不是会更舒服自然, 你再西化, 天天让你吃西人吃的东西,你受得了吗, 所以说了, 家乡的味道, 属于我们中国人的东西你是永远难去掉的, 你就是去掉了,你那张面孔, 你的皮肤, 你的眼睛还是那个种族的人. 就算你整容了, 不谈你自己是否真的活得舒服坦然自若, 西人就认同你了吗, 约翰逊不就是例子 吗.
中国人作为一个种族, 她的尊严和国家政党没有直接联系, 无论换任何一个政党, 任何一个国名, 我们种族的血统不会变, 所以既然你是这个族彝的人, 你应该是荣耀她不是让自卑, 狭隘, 龌龊玷污她. 一个人的崛起需要信念, 勇气和信心;一个国家民族的崛起也同样需要信念和勇气, 还有信心.

bellaisa

just for fun or a real serious issue?