This is from Beijing. It’s a Chinese Muslim Business with Chinese and Arabic on the sign, right next to modern western-style graffiti art, on a little tree lined boulevard. While globalization certainly has its downsides, I love the way the world is getting more international. People are getting exposed to more knowledge, new ways of doing things, and getting away from a narrow, provincial view of the world. And, in a lot of places, this is happening surprisingly peacefully. I don’t want to paint China as a an enlightened paradise but I was amazed by not only their ability to keep their Chinese identity while embracing things that come from Tibetans, Muslims, Americans, and Koreans, but the general level of harmony between different groups. The effortless way it all melds together in that pic is somewhat emblematic of the process for me.
Just a few thoughts. Talk to y’all soon.
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