Lean On Me --- Music as a Catalyst for Change

It was this song that sparked my interest to learn English. “Lean on me”, its theme was as inspiring as its title. It was the vehicle taking me all way along to see the beauty of English language. I learnt from the song that it was very natural to come across sorrow and sadness in our lives. But if we could look at all the frustrations in a long term, they would add up to be our greatest treasure.

Recently, I also learnt that its singer Bill Withers wrote this song after he moved from West Virginia to Los Angeles and missed his original hometown community’s strong ethic. It served as an ideological inspiration for my time abroad and it reminded me to stay calm and carry on.

Most importantly, this song not only encouraged me when I was down, but also stirred me to be the sunlight in midnight to encourage others when they were in the dark, to give them warmth and hope. I believe that “where there is life, there is hope”. 

Just Citizens, Just Laws and Just Education

From my perspective, “just education” has something more to do with “just citizens” than “just laws”, because I agree with Thomas Hobbes’ claim that “Laws that are meant to assure justice, often result in injustice.”.

Oftentimes, laws are tools for the upperclass to protect their own benefits. Those poor people who cannot afford a lawyer actually have difficulties in protecting their rights in the court. In this way, with the help of a sophisticated and expensive lawyer, it is easy for those in power to take the laws into their own hands and laws can be used to the detriment of social justice.

For example, in China, 2009, when a wealthy street-car racer who knocked down and killed a young man from modest origins got a lenient punishment due to the disclosure that his rich family used money and connections to help lighten the crime, it ignited the flames of class injustice that resonated among millions of Chinese. Internet was filled with blogs buzzed with angry posts like “See how rich parents are going to resolve this for their son”.

Even worse, photos circulating online showed that the troublemaker Mr. Hu sat in the car with his face buried in his hands, his friends smoked cigarettes and joked around when the police and ambulance crews arrived at the scene. It sparked a furor of angry comments by Chinese readers outraged at the callous behavior depicted in the pictures.

There are “just laws” in China which are supposed to protect the right of every citizen, whereas, Mr. Hu is not a “just citizen” as expected. What he lacks is “just education”. He has become a symbol of rich second-generation, who grew up as “little emperors” and are perceived to live in a protected cocoon, subject to different standards of justice than others. His family never taught him how to treat others with dignity and respect --- the “just and civil education”, which is considered as the essential of justice. It is just the lack of this “just education” that makes it difficult for the nation to use laws to help make its citizens good and just.

All in all, “just education”, which serves as the bridge between “just law” and “just citizens”, should be put to high priority. Since with comprehensive “just education”, “just citizens” is just a natural outcome of “just laws”.

A Letter to my Daughter on Her Eighteenth Birthday

Dear Alice,

Today, you are 18. Two months later, you will be flying to the US to pursue your undergrad degree. Life is just beginning a new chapter in front of you. Enjoy it but make sure that your decisions make you a better person each and every day. You may be a handful but I have witnessed you blossom these last 18 years and though I don’t say it often I am proud of you. What I take the most pride in is that you are so independent that I didn’t even worry about throwing you into a new culture to force you to mature. However, as your departure date approaching, I can’t help starting to wonder “Do you really know what independence means?”

When I was sorting out your photos last night, I found one meaningful --- your field trip to Shanghai at 15. It is easy to tell from the picture that you were pumped for this first journey on your own. Undeniably, living away from protection of parents is a significant indication of independence. But I want to remind you that besides lifestyle, the independence of your heart is the top priority, that is, your independent thinking. However, due to the fact that your generation is glued to your smartphones since every morning, I will be very pleased if you are willing to spare 15 more minutes on books every day, which may not be as thrilling as your games and gadgets, but it is absolutely the most effective way to develop this independent thinking mode.

Another interesting photograph was taken at your last years’ birthday party when you were surrounded by your friends. I want you to take this happy scene to heart and keep in mind that independence doesn’t equal to isolation, whereas, it means responsibility. Namely, you are expected to be responsible for your words when interacting with others. In the era of team work, much importance should be attached on expanding your network and making true friends, because their support and connections can take you further on your way of pursuing independence and maturity, as long as you can remain your integrity and sense of responsibility.

Last but not least, the picture I love most is the great photo of our family, for when I look at our family, I feel so blessed. I hope you know that we are always right there with you to help you express your independence. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, for an independent individual trusts himself and believes in his ability to stand up from where he was tripped over. Thus, be confident and brave. Whether we’ll be mad or happy, if you need someone to talk to, we’ll be all ears trying to understand you.

 I love you, little girl. Hopefully, this letter and these three pictures will become one of your special birthday presents this year.

Love,

Mom