I've seen a lot of comments on this sub about how he's an asshole irl, is a communist propaganda machine, hates his kid, is selfish and ignorant, etc. I'd like to clear things up as I'm Chinese.
First, some people in China do dislike him. For various reasons, some valid some not. However, the majority of people view him in a very favorable light, and he is very popular.
Second, yes he is pro-communist. I don't know why that is a controversy, but people in America seem to think that means he is automatically evil for supporting the communist party. That is very ethnocentric. I personally am a very progressive Chinese and I disagree with the Party on most issues but simply favoring the Party itself is not a crime.
Third, it's true he says some stupid things. He is an actor, not a scientist. He is not educated at all. I'm not sure he even has a high school diploma. He doesn't know a thing about environmental science so he has said many ignorant things. His opinions are often nonsense on these issues. However, the things he says are not any worse than things Western celebrities say. People don't really care about his opinions on these issues, in the minds of Chinese people he is merely a cultural icon.
It is really misleading to say that his fellow countrymen hate him because of these things. I see a lot of Americans who have read some blog post or article acting like experts on the culture in China. Someone even linked a source from an American propaganda radio.
Jackie Chan is not perfect but he is still a loved celebrity in the minds of most Chinese people. He definitely does more good than bad.
Edit: the comments have turned into a debate on communism. If I may, I'd also like to clear things up about communism in modern China.
The type of communism that Stalin used in the USSR and the type of communism Mao Zedong used in the Cultural Revolution are long dead. Modern "communism" in China is more like democratic socialism. Contrary to popular belief, Mao is no longer that popular, especially among my generation. He is seen as the symbol of "conservative China" and many do not agree with his beliefs.
Also, for one moment, please get rid of the preconceptions you have about communism. Please realize that the West also indoctrinates people, and communism is thought of as an evil force that killed millions when that is very misleading and not true.
In China, kids are taught that slavery = capitalism, and that is why capitalism is bad. Why? Well, just like America, China had a propaganda machine. We are taught that Americans love money and profit SO MUCH that they would sell out their fellow human being as slaves. This is wrong, and it is propaganda, and most Americans do not agree with slavery. Same thing in China. Many of the things you associate with communism, Chinese people do not agree with. They are seen as disgusting symbols of a broken past.
Many Chinese, including myself, see capitalism as a good and bad thing. For example, capitalism has led to China's position as number two in the world, but it has also caused sweatshops. Many people in China absolutely hate Apple and Nike (and by association, American Capitalism) for this reason. Crony capitalism has also led to corruption and a widening wealth inequality gap (which you also see in America).
On a wholesome thread, let's try to see beyond what we were indoctrinated, and not villainize each other. Capitalism does not mean slavery (as I erroneously assumed before I came to the US) and communism does not mean mass murder. China is moving in a very progressive direction, and will hopefully be a democratic republic in our lifetime. Cheers!
GrottyKnight on May 29th, 2017 at 15:11 UTC »
From his new show Chan Can Cook
BuildMajor on May 29th, 2017 at 17:55 UTC »
I thought his apron was a pixelation of something NSFW lol.
Coolest guy ever right here btw.
Darkream on May 29th, 2017 at 20:29 UTC »
I've seen a lot of comments on this sub about how he's an asshole irl, is a communist propaganda machine, hates his kid, is selfish and ignorant, etc. I'd like to clear things up as I'm Chinese.
First, some people in China do dislike him. For various reasons, some valid some not. However, the majority of people view him in a very favorable light, and he is very popular.
Second, yes he is pro-communist. I don't know why that is a controversy, but people in America seem to think that means he is automatically evil for supporting the communist party. That is very ethnocentric. I personally am a very progressive Chinese and I disagree with the Party on most issues but simply favoring the Party itself is not a crime.
Third, it's true he says some stupid things. He is an actor, not a scientist. He is not educated at all. I'm not sure he even has a high school diploma. He doesn't know a thing about environmental science so he has said many ignorant things. His opinions are often nonsense on these issues. However, the things he says are not any worse than things Western celebrities say. People don't really care about his opinions on these issues, in the minds of Chinese people he is merely a cultural icon.
It is really misleading to say that his fellow countrymen hate him because of these things. I see a lot of Americans who have read some blog post or article acting like experts on the culture in China. Someone even linked a source from an American propaganda radio.
Jackie Chan is not perfect but he is still a loved celebrity in the minds of most Chinese people. He definitely does more good than bad.
Edit: the comments have turned into a debate on communism. If I may, I'd also like to clear things up about communism in modern China.
The type of communism that Stalin used in the USSR and the type of communism Mao Zedong used in the Cultural Revolution are long dead. Modern "communism" in China is more like democratic socialism. Contrary to popular belief, Mao is no longer that popular, especially among my generation. He is seen as the symbol of "conservative China" and many do not agree with his beliefs.
Also, for one moment, please get rid of the preconceptions you have about communism. Please realize that the West also indoctrinates people, and communism is thought of as an evil force that killed millions when that is very misleading and not true.
In China, kids are taught that slavery = capitalism, and that is why capitalism is bad. Why? Well, just like America, China had a propaganda machine. We are taught that Americans love money and profit SO MUCH that they would sell out their fellow human being as slaves. This is wrong, and it is propaganda, and most Americans do not agree with slavery. Same thing in China. Many of the things you associate with communism, Chinese people do not agree with. They are seen as disgusting symbols of a broken past.
Many Chinese, including myself, see capitalism as a good and bad thing. For example, capitalism has led to China's position as number two in the world, but it has also caused sweatshops. Many people in China absolutely hate Apple and Nike (and by association, American Capitalism) for this reason. Crony capitalism has also led to corruption and a widening wealth inequality gap (which you also see in America).
On a wholesome thread, let's try to see beyond what we were indoctrinated, and not villainize each other. Capitalism does not mean slavery (as I erroneously assumed before I came to the US) and communism does not mean mass murder. China is moving in a very progressive direction, and will hopefully be a democratic republic in our lifetime. Cheers!