Hey Paul,
惊奇地发现你的一些理解竟然准确地是我的真实心理。写得非常好。我所做的谈不上是一篇报道,却更是随意的抒怀。
很多人以为我在中国停留了好些天,搜罗到这些照片。实际上,我只回去几天。只有六七个小时的时间在乡下。如果我有机会第二次回去,一定会拍一些照片来让你十倍的感动。这些照片不能说是“拍”来的。说是拍来的太丢沙龙人的脸。多半是我趁人不注意的时候抓来的,有的是在开着车的时候抓的,有的是在跟人谈话的时候偷偷按的快门,有的甚至是把相机放在身后按的。我是陪着父母去看亲戚和老朋友。我们买了一整后备箱的礼物,在三十公里的行程内走村串巷。请相信,这些照片来自所有的8个村子。 这些村子基本上都一样。
06年,我曾驾车途经开滦,唐山,到北戴河。我所看到的河北省的那一部分还更差一些。那些高干避暑要经过的地方,破破烂烂的, 还是很多年以前的状态。 07年我乘朋友的车经过辽宁(沈阳)到达吉林省会长春。路上见到的也相差无几。 河南就更不用说了。我知道东北,华北,西北,西南,大部分的农村都差不多是这样。 与各学术杂志发表的数据非常相符合 - 中国农民生活在极度贫困之中。 只有极少数农村已经城市化或接近城市化,多数在大城市的近郊和东南部沿海地区。 这些真的不是个人情绪,而是摆在那里,只要睁开眼就看得见的。
有些人以偏远地区的城市或县城的变化来说明中国农村的现状是不对的。 那些地方不是农村,是城市或次级一点的城市。 中国有八亿多的农民生活在真正的农村。他们持有“农村户口”。他们的生活来源非常有限。 所以他们中数以亿计的人不得不背井离乡去大城市打工。 “民工”留下三千多万孩子在农村,常年见不到父母,和孤儿无异(引自凤凰卫视专题报道)。 他们中有很多连初中还没有毕业就离家去谋生。 不少孩子在外面混被人欺负。也有一些孩子染上坏习惯,或走上犯罪的路。
就连胡、温也在春节和中秋到贫困的农民家里慰问。 他们跟老农说:“我们知道你们的生活还很苦...”不知道他们是认为自己在改善农民生活方面做得已经很好了呢还是他们遇到的阻力太大,心有余而力不足。 我看到,他们做的虽然比以前的领导人多得多,但距离i实质性改变仍然是微乎其微。 他们在任这几年城乡差别还是在继续扩大。 不能说与决策无关。
今天和一位白人朋友聊天。他用了和你同样的说法:任何国家都有unfairness. 但是中国在如此大的范围内如此的程度的差异是任何人都难以想象的。
PaulCao 寫:
Wow,
This is an amazing series that has brought up many interesting and intelligent arguments/thoughts from all sides. I sincerely appreciate Greg's efforts and time to share with us about "the story of his village". While journalism requires a neutral and balanced heart in presenting the story and subject, I strong believe Greg has EVERY RIGHT in this world to speak and present the story the way he did and felt because Greg was born here and raised there. As his root has grown deep in this village, so will his passion be deeply reflected in his postings.
Why do we have in America Democrate/Republic parties? They are there to represent different views and voices. Similarly, Greg has done a great service to all the folks of his village and present a vivid picture to the audience at this platform. Without the passion and the crying heart of this "returning villager", this posting would just be like another report one might have found on a magazine or newspaper. While this report may appear to be a little subjective to others because Greg had blended his heart into the words and photos, I personally find that this is what makes this report more interesting, more alive, and more vivid.
Bravo to our 毛主席's opinion on the example on how the highways were deployed and used in China. Sincerely, the way I see it, the developments in China really have left the poors and mirables far far behind. It's time for this speed train to slow down and serve all the passengers waiting along its line.
I understand it's impossible to achieve 50-50 fairness in such a big country like China, but allowing the scale to tilt heavily on one side is quite painful and unfair.