A Poem
(published by the Washington Post)
When we were the Sick Man of Asia, we were called The Yellow Peril.
When we are billed to be the next Superpower, we are called The Threat.
When we closed our doors, you smuggled drugs to open markets.
When we embrace Free Trade, You blame us for taking away your jobs.
When we were falling apart, You marched in your troops and wanted your fair share.
When we tried to put the broken pieces back together again, Free Tibet, you screamed, It Was an Invasion!
When we tried Communism, you hated us for being Communist.
When we embrace Capitalism, you hate us for being Capitalist.
When we have a billion people, you said we were destroying the planet.
When we tried limiting our numbers, you said we abused human rights.
When we were poor, you thought we were dogs.When we loan you cash, you blame us for your national debts.
When we build our industries, you call us Polluters.When we sell you goods, you blame us for global warming.
When we buy oil, you call it exploitation and genocide.
When you go to war for oil, you call it liberation.
When we were lost in chaos and rampage, you demanded rules of law.
When we uphold law and order against violence, you call it violating human rights.
When we were silent, you said you wanted us to have free speech.
When we are silent no more, you say we are brainwashed-xenophobics.
Why do you hate us so much, we asked.
No, you answered, we don't hate you.
We don't hate you either.
But, do you understand us?
Of course we do, you said,We have AFP, CNN and BBC's...
What do you really want from us?
Think hard first, then answer...
Because you only get so many chances.
Enough is Enough, Enough Hypocrisy for This One World.
We want One World, One Dream, and Peace on Earth.
This Big Blue Earth is Big Enough for all of Us.
Duo-Liang Lin, Ph. D.
Professor Emeritus of Physics
University at Buffalo
State University of New York
Buffalo, New York 14260-1500
<譯自28-04-2008 星島日報>
當我們是"東亞病夫"，我們被稱為"黃禍"。
當我們被宣傳為下一個 "超級強國"，我們被稱為"威脅"。
當我們關上門戶，你們走私毒品來打開市場。
當我們擁抱自由貿易，你們指責我們奪走你們們的工作。
當我們分裂成碎片，你們的軍隊操進來想分一份。
當我們想把碎片拼回，你們叫囂 “這是入侵，西藏自由！”
當我們試行共產主義，你們恨我們是共產黨人。
當我們擁抱資本主義，你們恨我們是資本家。
當我們有十億人，你們說我們正毀滅地球。
當我們嘗試控制人口，你們說我們傷害人權。
當我們窮，你們認為我們是狗。
當我們借錢給你們，你們指責我們令你們國家負債。
當我們建立我們的工業，你們稱我們為 “污染國” 。
當我們向你們出售商品，你們指責我們令地球暖化。
當我們購買石油，你們稱之為剝削和種族滅絕。
當你們為石油而開戰，你們稱之解放。
當我們迷失於混亂和狂躁，你們要求法治。
當我們捍衛法治打擊暴亂，你們稱之違反人權。
當我們沉默，你們希望我們有言論自由。
當我們不再沉默，你們說我們是被洗腦的仇外者。
為什麼你們如此恨我們，我們問。
不，你們回答，我們不恨你們。
我們也不恨你們。
但, 你們明白我們嗎？
我們當然明白，你們說，我們有法新社，CNN, BBC ...
其實你們想從我們這兒得到什麼？
想清楚, 再回答 ...
因為你們只獲得這麼多的機會。
夠了夠了，這同一個世界已夠虛偽。
我們要的同一個世界，同一個夢想和世界和平。
這個藍色大地球大得足以容納我們所有人。
