No real reason to feel guilt over wealth gap

By Xiao Hao (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-08-27 10:56

The stars begin to twinkle so we move inside to dine by candlelight. The more I contemplate my new luxurious comforts, the more I wonder: If my dad had not studied hard to work his way out of farming, if my parents had not pushed me to study hard when I was young, and if I had not had a natural interest in studying, would I have ended up just like him and many others who barely get by in this wealth-gap new China?

Then I almost laugh out aloud at my own questions - of course, we have different fates because we are raised differently and are different. A friend indignantly said to me once: "I can't stand a world in which people are unequal. It's not just."

Yet, our life experiences are different. A just world is not one which gives everyone the same schooling, the same job and the same pay, but one in which we, with our individual flaws and strengths, can explore and push our limits, unhindered.

So I glance at our waiter friend who stands silhouetted against the darkening sky. Perhaps he will work very hard; and if he is smart and has some luck along the way, he may own a hotel in 10 or 20 years. It would be facetious for me to lament his having to serve people like me. As long as the China dream continues for him and me, as one of billion in the system, and can help people like him pursue this dream fairly, that would be way more meaningful than dwelling on one's liberal guilt.

"Cash or charge to the room?" he inquires at the end of our meal.

"Cash is fine," I say.

At least, I can help get him started with a little more cash.

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