Chinese seldom choose to speak up. It is like Chinese convention that we tend to be self-restricted and express ourselves by more connotations and implications. However, the new generation of China is slightly different. We are no longer being restrained to a closed, suppressed environment. Many TV shows, films and sports games from foreign countries have been imported to China. The growing environment has decided that we are more capable of understanding new things and speak out loud what we feel and what we think.
As an international student from China, I always hold an attitude that I will speak up for my homeland culture when it is criticized unreasonably or misunderstood. China is one of the countries that have the longest history in the world. To be exact, 5000 years have passed since the first dynasty was established. A lot of splendid stories and events happened in this 5000 years and interesting conventions in our culture can be introduced. Nonetheless, when most of Americans talk about China and Chinese culture, they would only think of eating dogs, kung-fu, Bruce Lee and some unpleasant topics. In that case, I always want to advocate for my country. Not all Chinese eat dogs and it is only a conventional festival in a small town of China. Though I personally hate eating dogs, I have to point it out eating dogs shouldn’t be blamed because it is only culture difference. The huis never eat pigs because they regard pig as god, do you think we should be blamed by the huis? From my perspective, what we should do is to respect other cultures and love yours.
In my feelings, if I heard some people from other countries talking about my country and the culture of it but what they said are not accurate or objective, I would feel hurt and hope to correct their thoughts. I believe every one of the young generation from China have the same perception as mine.