Kipling said:East is east,and West is west,and never the twain shall meet. But now,a century later,they have met.They have met in business,they have met in education,they have met in the arts.
Some would argue that these meetings leave us with a choice between East and West. But I believe that the best future lies in the creative combinations of both worlds. We can make Western ideas,customs and technology our own,and adapt them to our use. We can enjoy the best of all world. Because our tradition is,above all,one of selecting the best,and making it our own.
But do western styles and values threaten our identity?
History make it easy for us to think so,perhaps too easy.Some people seem to think that adopting Western customs,such as a bride wearing white which has long been a color of mourning in China,instead of the triditional Chinese red for her wedding,is another submission to foreign intervention,a betrayal of our heritage,they says.They fear that as we become increasing globalized,we will no longer be Chinese. I do not agree.
History teachs that a strong and confident nation is at ease in hearing from the outside world. The wedding of Eastern and Western cultures,wether in white gowns or in red,bring us variety. It is a rich banquet of special foods from all over the world. As an amatuer gourmet of Chinese cuisine,our superb flavous delight me. But my Chinese taste appreciates good food from any land. I even allow the convinience of MCDonald's a place in my life,without giving up my good taste.
My grandfather taught me to hum tunes of Beijing Opera when the time I was very young. They are deep in my spirit,parts of my soul. I love Beijing Opera because it always reminds me of who I am.
But I am also a fan of modern pop music,the No.1 fan of spice girl on campus. It goes for beyond food,music,and dance. It goes into values and ways of thinking about the world.
Once upon a time,or my teacher told me,a Chinese boy and an American girl had a squabble. Both wanted to keep a bunny ribbit they had found in the garden. Surely you've seen a rabbit sunning himself in the grass,nothing is more loveble,nothing more natrural. No wonder they wanted him. The boy played his er-hu,happiness and joy,longing and passion,filled the air. The little rabbit swayed gently and began to move his ears in the direction of music. He liked what he heard. The girl then took out her violin and played it to produce beautiful melodies of her own. The little rabbit began to bounce in her direction. So intent were both children on their own tunes neither paid the other any attention. The competing melodies confused the little rabbit,he did not know which way to turn. Unable to attract the little ceature,both children gave up,they walked away,in different direction,leaving the rabbit alone.
What if they listened?what if they heard each other's music,instead of always playing their own music. When I hear the music of a violin,rich with the joys of men and women who came together,sang and danced. I hear the echoes of the music of the grass lands,of the hills,of the rivers,of our native land.
Is music me and yours,or is it ours?
What I want to hear is that the er-hu and the violin played together,in ryhthm and in tune.
The rabbit sits in the grass,in the ever warming sun. Waiting for us to play,waiting for the symphony to begin.
Does the rabbit have to waiting forever?the choice is ours.
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