Censored beyond all repair...

It’s been awhile, and I apologise. This and many other blogs have been blocked due to the protests surrounding the 20th anniversary of the murders at Tienanmen Square. China still restricts all information about the events, and has shut down most forms of communication in an attempt to stifle free thinking about the matter, and also to pour water on a possible revolution that could be set ablaze by 1.3 billion people finding out the truth. I am currently behind and illegal proxy to bring you this information.

It’s impossible to believe this, but most people here have no idea what happened. It’s been erased from history, and these people have erased it from their minds. The people who witnessed it, and survived, have either been arrested, forcibly denied it through torture, or have run away to Hong Kong in exile. Even when people do know about it, they will simply ignore the conversation. It’s understandable as well. If the Chinese people slandered their government for killing their own people in a peaceful protest, think of how embarrassed they would be to have any sort of faith or pride in the CCP. Since they have no choice in the matter, having blind faith in this authoritarian party is really the only option.

The world heritage organization ranks China one of the least free countries in the entire world, and politically, this is true. But this makes me step back and re-evaluate what freedom actually is. Many people have such a black and white view on the definition of freedom. Let’s make a simple comparison of my daily life on not only the differences in freedom, but the differences in general.

In America I wake up and go to my car to get to work. Because of societal pressure, and proximity issues, I must own a car to get anywhere.
In China, I simply walk down the street to my job, and on the way, I can grab anything that I might need during the day from anywhere, since there are shops that sell everything, everywhere.
In America, if my car breaks down, I might end up paying anywhere from 500$ to 1000$ to fix the problem.
In China, chances are, my product will be fixed for free. If not, the cost will be negligible, and even cheaper when considering that no one needs to own a car to get anywhere. The public transportation is so incredible here, that I can get to any major city in the entire country by bus at any time I want. Domestic flights can be booked within minutes as well, sometimes at about 10$ a flight.
In America, as I am driving, there is a chance that I will get pulled over by police, and get a ticket with an exorbitant fine… every time I drive. The regulations on what needs to be on your car, what it looks like, how old you are, how fast or slow you are driving, and numerous other issues determine whether you will be hassled by the police. Really, it just depends on whether the cop wants to mess with you.
In China, you get in a car and go.

4. Since housing is normally provided by your employer in this country, there are no contracts, insurance, leases, mortgages, and all kinds of paper work that you can find in the US. Also, it’s a cash based society, so don’t worry about debt, credit, or qualifying for loans, etc… There are none. You have a bank account? That’s all you need.

You want to have a pee on the street at night when no one can see? Do it. It’s fine. In the states, you will go to jail and be labeled as a sex offender your whole life. Throw some litter in the road? Do it. You are giving someone a job since street cleaners get paid by how much trash they pick up.
You want to walk across someone’s property to get somewhere? Go ahead; no one owns property here, so you can go wherever you want. You do that in the states, you can get arrested for trespassing, or even get shot by the property owner.

7. The food is more delicious in China than the rest of the world for many reasons, but one large one is that there is no regulation on what food to sell, who can have a restaurant, no health regulations etc… It’s purely based on competition, and that gives you some good eatin’s, let me tell you.

I could go on for days, but the point is, day to day life is freer here. The freedoms in America that people value so much are simply in name only. Freedom of speech. How many of us have fully used that in our lives? I can talk about whatever I want with my friends, and I never have to fear being stigmatized for being non-politically correct; there is no such thing here. There is so much focus in America on ownership, and possession of material objects, and although that is catching on here quite rapidly, it comes with a lot less paper work and hassle. You want to buy something? Earn it. Trust me, it makes everything so much easier.

I have had numerous journeys here lately. I went to Guangzhou, and I saw an enormous park commemorating the Communist soldiers’ victory over the nationalists. It was quite sobering to be in a park honoring the very ideal that the west so despises. I have had a few epic bike journeys as well. The quest to find a motor bike continues as well.

I will be doing summer camp for my school in a couple weeks, so I will be away from every form of communication really.

Went to the beach and had a great time. Got really sun burnt though.

Update: I found a motorcycle, and am in the process of getting a license. It is impossible without having ridiculous connections, but I will not give up!