Reunited Unity

Today I met with Ma Guihua, a correspondent from the Xinhua News Agency. We met at the British Library and had a chat about the Chinese media, the ‘western’ media and how they differ in approach, the withholding of information and the cultural/political factors that affect their discourse. Far from being the possible stereotype/possibly perceived ‘mouthpiece’ for the Chinese government, Ma expressed genuine opinions that she personally believed and at most, I personally agreed with. I seemed to have endless questions for her!

After she watched the work in progress, I spoke of the possibility of not only having public opinion from people of Chinese backgrounds but to include people from professional backgrounds who are knowledgeable regarding the issues pertaining the documentary. She said was quite happy to share her views for the documentary. Moreover, felt it to be a duty to speak up for the country.

I was apprehensive at first to include people from professions those backgrounds may engender them to speak from a part professional/part personal opinion and thus not being wholly truthful about how they think/feel. Furthermore, I feel from one perspective that as an audience, we may feel more connected with the public and not just opinions from all the subjects being ‘experts’ about said topic. In the past few weeks the idea of having a diverse background of people, both less educated and ‘professionals’ would be healthy for the project.

Although partially related…
After the meeting I went to the Chinese Community Centre where I used to be both a youth and as a worker over 13 years ago. I proposed a film- making workshop with the youth and both the youth worker and director were very welcoming to the idea. We will discuss the idea in more detail later this week. I had been meaning to do something for the community centre I has so many fond memories of as both youth and youth worker and now being in a creative profession feel wholly obliged to share my skills and knowledge to the youth through the organisation that gave me so much. I had also been meaning to approach the centre too to see if they could be of assistance re to obtain more subjects for the documentary.

Since leaving the centre 13 years ago to study, travel and pursue a career I had lost touch with the Chinese community and to now have initial and hopefully meaningful contact with both the overseas journalists, overseas students and the London Chinese Community Centre, I feel very happy that I am able to reconnect with the past and the future; my relationship with communities of my cultural heritage.

- J