Just finished watching an interview with Lou Jing. She is an amazing young lady.
Other than the fact she doesn’t look like most other native Shanghainese, Lou is completely Chinese. The way she talks, attitude, is pretty much like any of my China-born nieces. She identifies with a cartoon pig who’s speciality is being ordinary.
She’s more Chinese than I will ever be.
Following is transcript of the 1st half of an interview Lou Jing gave Wangyi News:
WN: Lou Jing, what prompted you to enter the Eastern Angel contest?
LJ: Honestly, our teacher entered us into the contest. Some of my classmates and many in the drama school all went.
WN: How did you do?
LJ: I was really timid the first day. First try out there were 200 of us in the plaza stairway, waiting to be judged. Some people didn’t finish half their song and a bell would ring, telling them to stop. I was so nervous I called my mother – “mom, mom, you have to come, if you don’t come I can’t go thru with this” she was at work and she hurried over.
I did not make the show at first, only as a backup contestant. Two hours later they called and asked me to second try out. From preliminary to Shanghai final it took 7 days, then suddenly I realized, whoa, I’m in the final five.
WN: What score would you give yourself?
LJ: 80%, hehe. I’m more brave now.
WN: You’ve had couple nicknames since little, one is “Ganggang”?
LJ: Yeah “Ganggang”, means simpleton in Shanghainese.
WN: Why people call you that?
LJ: Because I’m the docile type. My Mom always tell me to be forgiving. When I thought I were being angry, my classmates say “is this it, you’re angry?” I can’t be angry at anyone, always like to help. Some people think I’m dumb, because my kindness isn’t always repaid. But I’m okay with that, what makes others happy makes me happy. That’s why they call me that.
NW: Another nickname is “little black”
LJ: Right, that’s because of my skin color. Some of my closer classmates call me that. Other people wouldn’t. Because we know each other well, since junior high. But strangely they wouldn’t let other people call me that, something like – “you can’t call her that, only we can.”
NW: Does that make you angry?
LJ: At first, then I’m used to it. Also when we were young people aren’t mean about it; they give me nickname, I give them nickname.
NW: We’ve seen some of your baby pictures, you always have such a big smile. When did you notice you were different than the other children?
LJ: In the city. You are not always in the same environment. If you’re in one place people get used to you. But if you go some place new, people would say your skin color is different, then I’m more self-conscious.
NW: Anything you are uncomfortable with?
LJ: Not when I was little, now maybe. It’s not obvious when you’re in familiar territory, but Once you’re somewhere new, people don’t know you – if I don’t talk it’s okay, but when I open my mouth people will ask me questions, then it’s like “not again”.
NW; you mentioned your skin color has brought you inconveniences, what inconvenences?
LJ: Not much when I was little. A lot on inconveniences now, especially after this contest, haha. I can’t recall what childhood inconveniences. Proverb goes “when god closes a door, he opens a window”. When I’m out, people always want to talk about me. Some are kind, some are not so kind and yell at me. I just let them talk.
People around me who know me are always nice to me, I thought that’s enough. Until after the contest I realized the world is not like that.
NW: Are there times you’re really angry with the impolite things people say about you?
JL: Does this contest count? Haha. During this contest, some media said irresponsible, untrue things. I feel put out, but us little people can’t really do anything about it.
NW: Anything happen druing the show?
JL: Sometimes. Like that KDS travel agency bad mouthing me, they had people visit the set. They comment about all five finalist’s look, and “black ape’ – I couldn’t care less. Let them talk. When you are on the show people will talk, you can’t shut their mouth.
NW: When You were little, you probably noticed other children have father but you don’t. When did you ask your mother about your father?
JL: About eight. I asked and Mom didn’t want to answer, so I stopped asking. I never do anything against my mother’s wish.
NW: When did your mother finally tell you about your background?
JL: On my 18th birthday. She casually mentioned it over cake, and I casually accepted it.
NW: were you a good kid?
JL: I think I was a good kid. I’d help my mom with greeting cards, cook dinner when she is late. I was a good kid, haha. I got good grades, teacher never called home to complain. Mom didn’t have to worry about me.
NW: You mentioned you were timid when you were little, don’t want to be noticed.
JL: When you are different and have to exist in the environment, you accept the fact you have to be invisible. You try not to attact attention. For example when teacher ask a question, I never raise my hand. Even when I know the answer I’d wish the teacher would pick me, then watch teacher pick some kid who doesn’t know the answer. I’m a very low key student, sitting in the back kind, haha.
NW: I read somewhere you used Maidou’s motto to describe yourself, “not dumb, but good natured”
JL: When my friend saw the Maidou movie, she called me and said “Lou Jing, this suits you, you’re not dumb, but good natured”, and I got upset “what are you talking about? I’m smart!” Then I thought this is true, I never cared about the little things. As long as everyone is happy, I’m okay. That’s why she describe me that way.
[Rest of the interview consists of her denying the online rumors. I will respect her wish and not focus on it.]
Charles Liu says
Here’s Lou Jing’s favorit cartoon, McDull piglet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pze16Z4I9GY
How anyone can hate her is beyond me. How anyone can believe most Chinese don’t adore her, is again beyond me.
S.K. Cheung says
Whether people “adore” her or not has little to do with whether those same people may or may not harbour racist attitudes. In fact, the more face time she gets, the less this becomes an issue of racism in her particularly case. Once you learn more about a person, you can judge them on their merits. The “prejudging” part has already come and gone…for her. But the same people who may come to “adore” her may be no less capable of prejudging the next black girl, or any other minority.
Charles Liu says
SKC, I disagree with your opinion:
“may or may not” isn’t saying anything, so it in no way validates “they will”. As it seems it’s your prejudice at play here. I however, feel it is appropriate to believe otherwise.
“may be no less capable” is does not prove “more capable” at all, without you providing any conceretness. My opinion is just as good as yours, and I disagree.
You may have the last word.
S.K. Cheung says
To Charles:
I wonder…before you say something, do you ever consider the counterpoint?
“so it in no way validates “they will”” — and it also in no way validates “they won’t”. Which is why I said “may or may not” in the first place. For those playing at home, that means it’s inconclusive. Whether you “adore” her has no bearing on whether you harbour racist attitudes. Your #3 is pointless.
“As it seems it’s your prejudice at play here.” —- seriously LOL. Look who’s talking, pal.
““may be no less capable” is does not prove “more capable” at all” — I wasn’t trying to prove anything. What has your little post “proven”, pray tell?
“My opinion is just as good as yours” — are you kidding. Your opinion is nowhere near as good as mine, as far as I’m concerned…I mean, since we’re sharing opinions and all.
“You may have the last word.” — this is one of those phrases you folks seem to throw around which is pointless. I don’t need your permission to throw in another word, nor do you from me. However, since you put it out there, let’s hope you at least mean what you say. We’ll see…
Frances Miley says
To Charles, Thank you your posts. I just read an article about Lou Jing on the Huffington Post Blog/News. I find her story fascinating and I wish the best for her. I am glad to see that President Obama’s visit is causing the Chinese citizens to do some soul searching re: their unfair view of African Americans (and Africans). Do you know if she has an email address?
I know this may sound silly, but I think a good movie for her would be to watch this movie: The Secret Lives of Bees. Two of the “black” actresses are bi-racial : Alicia Keys and Sophie Okonedo. There is so much richness that African Americans have given to the USA, from building the Capitol in DC (as slaves), to innovators as in George Washington Carver, Gordon Parks, Paul Robeson, Langston Huges to name a few. This country was built upon the backs of African Slaves and the lack of knowledge regarding their contributions to this country (even among Americans, all races) is a sad fact.
Fran Miley
Peter-singapore says
I think the anger is made worse by her mother ‘s act that insults the Chinese ‘s sensibility. An adulterous women is less acceptable than a man. Chinese should have more self confident. Mixed marriage is not an insult but an acceptance of Chinese culture.
S.K. Cheung says
“An adulterous women is less acceptable than a man” — I get that sense as well. Why do you think that is?
Charles Liu says
Peter, An adulterous women is less acceptable than a man.”
I think it is the case in male-dominate society. It’s probably the case in Singapore, no?
I feel it’s certainly the case in my own country. From what I’ve seen in America we sometimes see wives of politician sticking by their man after adultry (for example Larry Craig R-ID) but not men when their wife cheat on them.
Peter-singapore says
The laws in singapore sucks for men. ‘ The Women ‘s Charter ,’ allows your wife to screw around and you still have to pay her alimony and share your property. Its fashionable 4 women to look for foreign men. Those foreigners who lecture us on fidelity are those who like to get in between our wives legs.
S.K. Cheung says
To Peter,
sounds like the law in Singapore just levels the playing field a bit. If a man screws around and the marriage ends in divorce, both parties split the marital property. And if a woman does it, same thing. Sounds fair to me.
bru says
Very good article, thanks to the author
It comes from “white supremacy”
White supremacy imposed it self on the world at large, and
co opt the minds of some none whites, it should and must be resisted
Some Chinese and some other none whites who maliciously
demean dark skin people also think that they themselves are inferior to whites.
Indeed “white supremacy” itself are rooted in inferior complex and self insecurity
It “white supremacy” set up an hierarchic where white is at the top, dark skinned at the bottom,
some other none whites in the middle, in the psychological scheme of things
to ensure its own survival and privilege
I would advise Miss Lou Jing, if I may, not to internalizes this sickness directed
at her by some sick people afflicted with the phycoses known as “white supremacy”
whoever they maybe, But instead to be proud of her beautiful chocolate skin, and
to know that the problem is not her, but those who try to demean here to
feel better about their own insecurities……..By reading around the web its clear
that all Chinese don’t subscribe to this sick and ignorant racists/colorists hatred, to the charging of the
white supremacists
bru says
The demeaning and dehumanization of dark skinned people is not
a predominant Asian or Chinese tradition, its an imported thing, common human prejudice is not the same
thing as raw hatred and dehumanization of others based on things such as skin color.
White supremacy are known to closed its eyes and tell itself that 2+2=5, that’s why
its inspired and learned out look would label a beautiful and intelligent young lady
like Lou Jing as “ugly, black ape, chimpanzee” and the likes. They don’t want
to see nor accept beauty in other beautiful colors, so they try to demean instead……….
barny chan says
bru Says: “The demeaning and dehumanization of dark skinned people is not
a…Chinese tradition, its an imported thing…White supremacy…”
Right on bru, it’s outrageous that evil white Westerners are manipulating decent but impressionable Chinese to spew racist bile on their behalf. Is there no end to the malicious deviousness of the white race? Enough is enough…