Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 306 Pioneer of the “ME TOO” movement!
"Zhang Chao is a hero!" Brett Baier, host of FOX TV's "Special Report," set the tone right away: "He showed extraordinary courage, calmness and wisdom in the face of serious accusations of 'racial discrimination.'" (It was he who broke Harris down this year)
"He clearly expressed the idea of ​​'writing in one's mother tongue' and stressed the importance of language as a carrier of culture. Choosing one's mother tongue for writing is not only a respect for one's own culture, but also a maintenance of global cultural diversity.

“This position not only defends the rights of non-native English speakers in literary creation, but also promotes cross-cultural communication and understanding. The great America is a country built by immigrants, and everyone from different cultural backgrounds can get due respect in this land.”

At this time, TV guest Laura Ingraham also began to chime in: "When faced with the accusation of "racial discrimination", Zhang Chao did not choose to back down, but bravely exposed the bias and misunderstanding in media reports. Through rational debate, he emphasized the importance of racial equality and opposed any form of racial superiority.

This attitude of facing racial issues head-on not only wins respect for oneself, but also sets an example for promoting racial inclusion in society.”

Brett Baier said: “Yes, when our politicians or celebrities face similar accusations, they will always deny and apologize. In fact, this is very contradictory - if you did nothing wrong, why should you apologize?
If you did something wrong, why deny it? Denying and apologizing at the same time is so ironic and so 'black humor'!"

Laura Ingraham said: "Because our social culture and journalistic ethics are broken! People no longer value the truth, but report for the sake of sensationalism. Our journalism is finished!

Those media that follow suit, why don’t you reflect on yourself?”

Brett Baier said: "Almost all the media that went to Chicago Union Station to interview Zhang Chao had bad intentions. But Zhang Chao used his wisdom and logic to defeat these 'sharks' that came for the smell of blood.

Just like Santiago in Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea", he fought alone and was never afraid! He is a true hero!"

Ingraham smiled and said, "That's not entirely true. Didn't he invite Kunal Nayyar, the talented actor who will play a recurring role as an Indian scientist in the latest series?"

This role was designed at the suggestion of Zhang Chao, who, through practical actions, broke the cultural barriers and advocated the harmonious coexistence of multiple cultures.

This is far more "equal" than those who keep talking about "racial equality" all day long! If he is really a "racist", he should have proposed setting up a Chinese character.

Chinese scientists, isn't this common in American universities? "

Seeing that the atmosphere was ripe, Brett Baier brought up the core topic of the day at the right time: "So, today, in the United States, how many people are like Zhang Chao, who have been labeled as 'racists' because of an unintentional word or action?"

Ingraham's face also became solemn and serious. He said: "I have had such an experience - it is really unbearable to look back. Although we quickly reached a mutual understanding and it has never been reported and has not caused any damage to my reputation, it did make me suffer for a long time.

I think this is not just Zhang Chao’s experience, or the experience of a few Americans. ”

Brett Baier said: "Me Too! Imagine that a Chinese person almost became a racist, then a white person, a friendly white person who grew up in a multi-racial neighborhood and has many black, Indian and Asian friends...

He could be labeled that way, too.”

Ingraham added: "Our society is filled with racial taboos that even a born-and-raised American cannot completely avoid.

This is a sad reality - just like Zhang Chao said, why do we subconsciously think that some words are derogatory when they are mentioned? Even if the word is "neutral" in the dictionary. "

Brett Baier turned to the camera and said to the audience in front of the TV: "Have you ever had such an experience? If so, please boldly refute it and take off such a label!
Learn from this young Chinese man named Zhang Chao. He is a true hero who has exposed the illusions and cancer of our society!
This is Bret Baier's Special Report, and here we go..."

After the FOX TV news was broadcast, it caused a huge response across the United States that evening. Many people captured this news and posted it on video websites and social media.

In response to Bret Baier's "Final Question," the most common comment was: "Me Too!"

The slogan was more inflammatory than any other banner. Just when Zhang Chao and his companions were sleeping on the "Lakeside Express", "Me Too!" had already begun to spread like wildfire.

This is related to the social environment in the United States at that time.

After the 911/ incident, the overall social atmosphere in the United States began to turn right, and the previously popular accusation of "racial discrimination" gradually began to be disliked by traditional Americans. No one likes to be considered a racist without realizing it.

Zhang Chao's counterattack against the accusation of "racial discrimination" undoubtedly opened up an outlet for this trend of thought - he himself is a perfect entry point. The Chinese, or Asians, are themselves one of the victims of racial discrimination, but they are also labeled as "racially discriminatory" by other ethnic minorities.

If it were a white person, it wouldn't be so easy to use this as an excuse.

Zhang Chao was inadvertently involved in a storm that he had never expected.

The "Lakeside Express" had already left Illinois, where Chicago is located, and the nearby Lake Michigan, and passed through Indiana in the night and entered Ohio.

In the morning light, the train ran along the shoreline of Lake Erie, one of the five Great Lakes. As time went by, the sun became brighter, shining through the thin clouds onto the surface of Lake Erie, creating sparkling waves.

Seeing Zhang Chao finished washing up and appeared in the corridor, David Miller greeted him and said with some regret: "It was just dawn when we passed Cleveland. It was too early. We couldn't let you see the Cavaliers' home stadium."

After a night of adjustment, Zhang Chao's attitude was not so stiff, but he was still a little surprised and asked: "Why do you want to see the Cavaliers' stadium?"

David Miller said excitedly: "Because there is the "King" LeBron James! Don't you like basketball? He is the most powerful player now! The Cavaliers have entered the playoffs with the second place in the Eastern Conference.

This year, we have a good chance of winning the championship—oh, I’m from Cleveland, the Cavaliers are my home team—and it will be the first championship trophy in the history of this city! ”

Zhang Chao recalled and suddenly felt some sympathy for David Miller. He said in a comforting tone: "I hope so. However, it doesn't matter if he doesn't win the championship this year. The future belongs to him!"

David Miller nodded solemnly: "Of course! LeBron is the son of Akron, he is the "King" and the team is the "Cavaliers". There is no place more suitable for him than this!

The King led the Cavaliers to win the championship and create a dynasty. This is a destiny that is destined to come."

The American people are indeed crazy about professional sports, and cultural figures like David Miller are no exception. Zhang Chao let out a soft "hiss" and couldn't help but joked: "'King' or 'Dynasty'? Like 'Genghis Khan'?"

David Miller was delighted when he heard this: "Genghis Khan? He was a great conqueror. Zhang, do you also think LeBron can create such a great dynasty?

Oh my god, you know so much about basketball! When I go back, I will give you a No. 23 jersey signed by LeBron!"

Zhang Chao: "..." After being speechless for a while, he quickly refused: "It's too expensive, keep it for yourself!"

The two of them chatted while eating breakfast.

At 9 o'clock in the morning, the train slowly stopped at Buffalo Station. Buffalo, also known as "Buffalo", is the second largest city in New York State, located between "Lake Erie" and "Lake Ontario".

The famous "Niagara Falls" is located upstream of Buffalo, more than 30 kilometers away, and it only takes more than half an hour to drive there. However, the schedule was tight this time, so I couldn't go there to visit.

Of course, the most important thing is that the last guest of this "Oriental Train Conversations" journey, the 2006 Booker Prize winner, Kiran Desai, will board the train at this stop and have a conversation with Zhang Chao.

As the carriage door opened and ordinary passengers got on and off the train, Zhang Chao saw Kiran Desai, who was wearing a black windbreaker and a white shirt.

This Indian female writer is only in her 30s, with long hair and a kind expression. Although her skin is slightly dark, her deep features and high nose bridge still show her ancestry.

Zhang Chao greeted her, shook her hand gently, and invited her into the car.

As soon as Kiran Desai and David Miller met, they hugged each other warmly. It was obvious that they knew each other very well. Kiran Desai was the one David Miller insisted on signing, and he played an important role in the international literary department he was in charge of.

After all, the weight of the Booker Prize is there.

After a brief greeting, Zhang Chao, Kiran Desai, Xu Ruya and Susan sat in the interview car.

As the "host", Zhang Chao made a joke: "I heard that you like to write in the kitchen? Would it make you feel more relaxed if you put food here?"

It is no secret that Kiran Desai likes to stay in the kitchen when writing, as she said in an interview after winning the award.

Zhang Chao's words brought the two closer. Kiran Desai also smiled generously and said, "In India, the kitchen may be the only place that belongs entirely to women. I have been listening to my mother and aunts chatting in the kitchen since I was a child. They would say many things that they would not say in front of men, including many anecdotes between neighbors and relatives. This is a 'secret place' for women.

So when I’m in the kitchen, I enter a special state, as if many women, old and young, are whispering in my ears… I just write down the stories I hear on paper.”

Zhang Chao smiled and said, “Is this the tradition of Indian geniuses? Ramanujan said that his wonderful mathematical formulas were all told to him by the goddess Namakar in his dreams.”

Kiran Desai looked flattered and said, "Ramanu Jan is the real genius. I am just an ordinary woman who wants to write some stories. But I have to admit that your compliment makes me very happy."

Only then did the two of them confirm each other's goodwill and were able to communicate sincerely afterwards.

Zhang Chao said solemnly at this time: "Ms. Desai, I hope that the previous small incident will not affect our friendship."

Kiran Desai smiled and said, “I told David that it is precisely because of this incident that I am more willing to talk to you. I think there are not so many prejudices among writers, and there is no need for the media to create barriers between us.

I watched your interview last night and it made me more determined.”

Zhang Chao was a little surprised and asked directly: "Don't you think I offended you?"

Kiran Desai sighed. “Of course not. You’ve nailed down a long-standing puzzlement of mine—even if it’s not quite accurate.”

Zhang Chao: “Oh?”

Kiran Desai explains: “Writing in one’s mother tongue is actually the instinct of every writer. But in India, children from families like mine often face this question - English, Hindi, or another Indian dialect - which one is the ‘mother tongue’?
They appeared in our lives almost at the same time, and when I began to learn to express myself systematically, they also developed in parallel. ”

Zhang Chao was stunned. He really didn't expect it to be like this.

Kiran Desai continues: “So when I started writing a novel, I did face this choice – should I write in Hindi or should I write in English?”

Zhang Chao asked: "What prompted you to choose English?"

Kiran Desai revealed a reminiscing look and said, "It's because of my mother. My mother wrote in English and I have been reading her works since I was a child. So even though I have mastered all the secrets of Hindi, for me, 'English' as ​​the 'mother tongue of novels' may be more natural."

This made Zhang Chao a little embarrassed. He had to admit that he had thought too simply. Kiran Desai was not his senior sister Li Yiyun.

Zhang Chao sighed: "So you are right to come here, and it also inspires me. Life in this world is indeed diverse..."

Kiran Desai said quickly: "But actually you are right. Your discussion with Li about 'writing in the mother tongue' inspired me. It made me realize why I always encounter some special problems when writing."

Zhang Chao thought for a moment and asked, "Do you mean those feelings that are unique to immigrants that cannot be accurately expressed in English?"

Kiran Desai's eyes lit up instantly and he nodded, "Yes! Zhang, you are really a literary genius! Have you read my novel?"

Zhang Chao pointed at Xu Ruiya beside him and said, "Although your work has not yet been translated into Chinese, she is an excellent translator and translated some chapters for me. Oh, my English is only good enough for conversation. If I read your original work directly, I'm afraid I will miss more information than if I translate it."

Kiran Desai quickly reached out his hand and shook Xu Ruiya's hand, saying, "Thank you for your work. If possible, I would like to invite you to translate my novel into Chinese. I believe in Zhang's vision!"

Xu Ruiya was surprised and happy, and quickly agreed.

Zhang Chao smiled at the two of them. Stephen King had a partner in China who he had worked with for many years. Li Yiyun did not want his novel to be translated. Now that he has met Kiran Desai, the opportunity has come.
Although she was not famous in the country in her previous life, even if her novel had a Chinese translation, its sales would probably be very low.

But now that she and Zhang Chao have "jointly" staged a reversal drama of "discrimination-anti-discrimination", the situation is different. Even if she "leaves" Chaoxi Culture, she should still do as much as possible to go with the flow.

After a brief exchange with Xu Ruiya, Kiran Desai turned her attention back to Zhang Chao. She smiled and asked, "You seem to have your own opinions on novels about immigration?

You wrote "American works" such as "Gone Girl", but you described the crisis and conspiracy of marriage from the perspective of a common middle-class white family, not from the perspective of an "outsider".

Zhang Chao pondered for a moment and said, "My next novel may touch on this aspect, but not all of it."

Kieran DeStreet: "Your concept is very grand. I'm curious. Chinese are one of the largest immigrant groups in the United States. How do you view works on immigration themes?"

Zhang Chao said frankly: "I don't particularly appreciate writers focusing their creative energy on immigration themes. I think that in today's European and American literary circles, 'immigration novels' have been seriously 'landscaped'.

Critics here always want to see immigrant writers express their own unique dilemmas and anxieties—either those they encounter in their new country or in their own country.”

Kiran Desai didn't expect Zhang Chao to be so direct, but he still mustered up the courage to ask: "Do you think we are trying to please? Like me, like Li."

Zhang Chao shook his head and said, "I think the word 'flattering' is too subjective. I think it's more like a 'hint'. If it's more serious, maybe it can be described as 'taming'.

Through awards and praise, writers are subconsciously led to believe that ‘this is how you should write’ or ‘this is what you should write’.”

Kiran Desai fell silent.

Zhang Chao paused and continued, “I always feel that they hope that writers outside their own cultural circle can write a kind of ‘world literature’.”

Kiran Desai asks: “World Literature?”

Zhang Chao sorted out his thoughts. After all, this was something he had only recently figured out, and he hadn’t yet organized or summarized it systematically, so he could only talk about whatever came to his mind.

"I don't think this is a subjective inducement on their part, but rather a strong cultural instinct over the past few hundred years that has prompted them to do so. It's a kind of 'collective unconsciousness'."

“‘World literature’ has made the readers imagined by writers from outside the Anglo-American cultural circle no longer ordinary people who buy books in bookstores, but all kinds of book reviewers and literary award judges.”

“They hope that these writers will write about the collective dilemma of a certain group and turn it into a kind of ‘cultural landscape’ to satirize and examine British and American culture.”

“So they hope to see some ‘landscape objects’ that can be easily labeled in these works – such as immigrants… because these are easier to understand and accept.”

"But the root of literature is language. They have no interest in understanding the most subtle, complex, and obscure parts of the languages ​​of different nations."

"Using English can help you integrate quickly, but how can English accurately describe the status and psychology of non-English speaking people?"

“That’s why I don’t like immigration themes, because they are ‘landscaped.’ That’s why I create in my mother tongue…”

……

The train moved slowly as we talked, and finally arrived at New York Union Station at 4:50 pm.

The door of the carriage opened, and Zhang Chao escorted Kiran Desai out of the carriage. The female writer looked distraught, and did not even respond to the reporter's interview, and walked into the aisle.

Zhang Chao was left with a confused look on his face as he looked at the large "Me Too!" banner hanging high in the crowd that came to greet him.

——When did you get sexually harassed?

(End of this chapter)