From Adversity to Triumph: The Real-Life Stories of Resilience You Won't Want to Miss, by asking right questions, Can Music help #FixTheWorld?

Greetings! Bonjour! бонжур! I am Gareth 王, and I am thrilled to welcome you to this edition of the newsletter, where I share my innermost thoughts about the world.

Together, we will delve into the topic of resilience and how it can be learned from the diaspora of nations that face both internal and external challenges. Let's explore what unites them and discover if we can develop a new music format, competition or festival to #FixTheWorld!

Don't be shy, spread the love! Please share this newsletter with others and let's inspire others to Fix one thing at a time together FixTheWorld.4Good.space !!

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One Year! Sláva Ukrajíni!

President Biden's recent visit to Ukraine is a powerful display of western support for the country's ongoing struggle to defend itself. Over the past year, the world has watched as Ukraine has faced a series of challenges, including the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014. Despite these difficulties, the Ukrainian people have shown remarkable resilience and unity in the face of adversity.

At the core of this resilience is the Ukrainian people themselves, who have demonstrated an ability to come together and rally behind a common cause. Whether it is fighting against Russian aggression, combating corruption within their own government, or rebuilding their communities, Ukrainians have shown strength in the face of difficult circumstances. This resilience is not unique to Ukrainians, as history has shown that people often demonstrate the greatest strength and resilience when united behind a common cause.

[a very touching response from Vladyslav Khmarsky on why Ukrainians are so tough?:]

Human resilience

Sometimes, a cause is forced upon people, as is the case with war. Other times, it may be the possibility of death, or even something as simple as a shared interest in health and fitness, that brings individuals together. And then there are the truly heinous catalysts, like oppression, racism, or genocide, that force entire communities to unite against a common enemy. But no matter the impetus, history has shown that those who survive these challenges, especially those that threaten life itself, often emerge with a newfound strength and resilience that they never knew they possessed. So let us never underestimate the power of the human spirit, which can triumph over even the most daunting of obstacles.

We stand on the brink of a potential third world war, with both the US and Russia's nuclear arsenals stockpile, and Putin's latest saber-rattling only adding fuel to the fire. But let's put geopolitics aside for a moment and focus on what really matters: the unwavering resilience of the human spirit. It brings to mind another country, even larger than the one we speak of, which was once primarily agrarian and was dragged into war from both internal and external pressures. This country found itself caught "between a rock and a hard place," and we can draw inspiration from their struggles as we navigate our own challenges. Though concessions may need to be made to secure peace, we can be confident that the indomitable spirit of humanity will prevail. For the latest unbiased geopolitical reports on the matter, I highly recommend following Ian Bremmer.

Global diaspora from foreign conflicts and civil unrest.

Amidst the chaos and destruction of war, there are always survivors - those who managed to flee with their loved ones, physical and emotional scars notwithstanding. Our hearts and thoughts are with the Ukrainian people, scattered far and wide, as they navigate through this trying time. Do not forget as link after shows Ukraine is only one of the top 10 conflicts developing now:

But history has shown us that they are not alone in their struggle . The Chinese diaspora, for instance, has weathered through a long and fascinating saga of political and social upheavals, both internal and external.

From the First Opium Wars 1839-1842 (as Britain wanted to trade with China), 1st (1894-1895) and 2nd Sino-Japanese wars (1937–1945) (Imperial Japan wanted China) to the Cultural Revolution 1966-76 (Civil war from communist vs at the time corrupted government 1927-49) the Chinese people have endured the ravages of war and conflict, inflicted upon them by others and even themselves. And yet, the present focus on peace, trade, and harmony has emerged as a virtue and a guiding light for chinese diaspara' future.

So why do most western media insist on painting China's PCC as the aggressor? I would love your opinion on David Vine's book, United States of War, and see the bigger picture, as I am not expert, interesting interview on Democracy Now! Productions cc Karen Ranucci:

Not an easy road ahead though:

Ukrainian shifting from refugees, to transition to fully contributing member of society wherever they might end up... however will be as challenging as Chinese faced in the past, but there maybe even more obstacles from unexpected regional in 2023 due to echo chambers, where there are far right party in power even in the liberal democratic world from Ottawa county, Michigan in US to even in Sweden with Ulf the locksmith. Even well developed liberal democracy like Isreal now is entering a ‘new era of instability’ ushered in by an ‘unrestrained government’

Lessons learnt:

Learn from our history: Chinese immigrants worldwide have faced numerous challenges over the past two centuries. Despite these challenges, however, they have shown remarkable resilience and perseverance, and have gone on to thrive throughout the world. Some also finally got their recognition as their toil and hard work and contributions have mostly written off history books.

[ Fascinating documentary: Forgotten Faces of the Great War: The Chinese Labour Corps | SOAS University of London ]:

One of the earliest waves of Chinese migration occurred in the mid-19th century, as a result of the Opium Wars and the subsequent Treaty of Nanking. Many Chinese workers were brought to the United States, Canada, and Australia to work on infrastructure projects such as railroads (& built American west & California!)* and mines as indentured labour. Despite facing intense discrimination and prejudice, these early Chinese immigrants built strong communities and established successful businesses, often in the face of significant challenges.

Migrants, Indentured Labour and Refugees has multitude of challenges

In the early 20th century, a second wave of Chinese migration occurred, driven by political and economic instability in China. Many of these immigrants settled in Southeast Asia, where they established successful trading and manufacturing enterprises. During this time, many Chinese also migrated to North America and Europe, seeking educational and economic opportunities.

The mid-20th century saw the rise of communism in China, and many Chinese immigrants found themselves fleeing political persecution and violence. During the Cultural Revolution, millions of Chinese citizens were persecuted and killed, and many more were forced to flee the country. Those who were able to escape often settled in Hong Kong (my grandparents included), Taiwan, and the United States, where they established thriving communities and businesses.

Remember, the ones who found a new home outside of China were the fortunate few, enduring the gruelling conditions of indentured labor, "coolie" akin to bondage. Sadly this is still happening in our world in 2023, some institutionalised called Kafala system in all Arab Gulf states but Iraq. Yet refugees and migrants, distinct from this group, face varying receptions in different lands. Each nation extends its own hand, or withholds it.

Establishing roots:

Despite facing numerous obstacles, the Chinese people has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. From building successful businesses in the face of discrimination to thriving in new countries and cultures, Chinese immigrants have proven time and time again that they are capable of overcoming adversity and achieving success, no doubt together the Ukrainian diaspora can do the same independently or with other's support.

[Fantastic history why Peruvian national dish are Cantonese! interesting video for the uninitiated: ]

Today, the Chinese diaspora is a global community: It is commonly believed that the Chinese emigrants are self-sufficient and independent. Yet, in a rather peculiar manner, we also exhibit a tribal mentality when we are abroad. This peculiar trait is both intriguing and baffling. However, with the recent events of the Hong Kong youth's violent revolution, some may argue that our diaspora is becoming increasingly fragmented and divided, much based on the model of the Western where individual freedom above all else.

The Chinese people have spread their wings and now live and work in peace all over the world. However, some shameful cowards in the US have been targeting vulnerable Asian Americans, including women and the elderly, since the COVID pandemic struck. Such incidents have been highlighted by the NYTimes (gift link), which have instilled major fear and uncertainty among the Chinese diaspora and even swayed their political preferences towards the Republican party. And looking from afar, shocking high rate of gun crime empowered by NRA and gun rights advocates have had a significant role to play, resulting in the first major Asian-on-Asian mass shooting in 2023 - a rather grim and unfortunate development (NYTimes gift link) .

Despite these challenges, the Chinese diaspora is diverse and distinguished, with highly successful entrepreneurs, business leaders, artists, and academics, as well as local takeaways, restaurants, consultants, engineers, and lawyers. Their contributions to the global community have been significant, often made quietly and without fuss. And they will undoubtedly continue to make meaningful contributions to society for years to come.

Solution?

This blog post is much longer than I had planned, so grateful if you are still reading!

So what can we do to harness this resilience and help those who are oppressed or facing similar challenges?

1) Power of the common cause

Whether it is fighting against injustice, poverty, or disease, we must identify the issues that are most pressing and work together to address them. President Zelensky is doing great job in keeping the cause alive and fighting on the ground all the while appealing for more assistance and showing his face despite assassination attempts.

Ah, one must tread cautiously in a world filled with deceitful schemes disguised as noble causes. It is imperative to adopt a discerning mindset, to pose the right questions - to dig deeper and discover the true driving forces behind a movement. It's not just about the figureheads, but the ones pulling the strings from behind the scenes. A little investigative curiosity goes a long way.

After all, like a limited edition bottle of vintage wine, the best initiatives are finite - they serve a single purpose, and once that purpose is fulfilled, they gracefully bid adieu. And, much like a connoisseur savoring a fine wine, we too can differentiate between the good and the not-so-good, without the need for a sommelier's guidance. It's all about striking the right balance.

2) Concrete support

The second step is to provide concrete support to those who are facing these challenges. This may mean providing financial aid, medical assistance, or other forms of material support. It may also mean providing emotional support, counselling, or simply a listening ear to those who are struggling.

3) Find the "Root causes"

We are in the midst of a media frenzy where everyone from A-list celebs to the newest social media influencer is vying for attention, eyeballs, and advertising revenue. Truth is a mere afterthought, easily sacrificed in the pursuit of clicks and views. It's a psychological phenomenon of scarcity that has us all asking the wrong questions and ignoring the root cause of the issues at hand. With good journalism either hidden behind paywalls or relegated to substack newsletters, it's becoming increasingly difficult to know who and what to trust.

But fear not, my friends. The answer is simple: embrace the grey. It may require a little effort, but with practice, the art of discernment will become second nature. I call it "nudge-defence", a savvy defense against the onslaught of scams and frauds that infiltrate our lives. Once you're armed with the tricks of the trade, you'll be able to ignore the seductive lure of even the most attractive social media profiles. So, the next time you're faced with an issue, ask yourself, who is really behind this? Take the time to truly consider the facts and avoid falling prey to the sensationalism that dominates our media landscape.

For example:

If you follow some fantastic podcast award winning reporting from Tortoise Media Alexi Mostrous on who's truly behind fake news and Hampstead heath satanic worshipping that made doxxed the innocent parents in Hampstead area (won't spoil it, you need to listen to it, maybe this weekend? )

And of course the infamous Extinction Rebellions that stopped traffic/school runs who are diverting much cut police resources in UK is funded and encouraged by other billionaires/heiress.

In this world, everyone has the right to free speech and to spend their money however they want (but billionaires' impact might be greater). But we shouldn't be so quick to believe everything we're told (even if they are funding your charity/movement), especially if it means destroying our own fabric of society.

Ask the right questions!

It is essential that we always ask the right questions, even when it feels uncomfortable. Are we really so gullible that we believe every myth and hearsay? Let us not blindly follow anyone's advice, especially when it is seemingly the norm, as just because someone claims to have the truth doesn't mean they actually do. We must remain vigilant against those conniving wolves and sneaky snakes who seek to deceive us.

And, for further insight into the matter, I highly recommend James Pogue's VanityFair article, which exposes the TechBro billionaires behind Alex Jones/Bannon/Fartbarge and their support of the insurrection and UK's Brexit course. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the tangled web of power and politics :

It's also time to wake up and remember that ISIS was created by the US in their own Camp Bucca. But enough of that negativity, it's time for a positive change! We need to create our own #FixTheWorld Camp that generates initiatives that will empower people to fix one thing at a time, not just maintain the status quo or break down society.

Are you in? if so ping me a message, we need help! email LetsDoIT@Tolast.org

Meanwhile, this may mean advocating for policies that promote equality, justice, and human rights, or supporting organisations that work to address the root causes of oppression and inequality.

As mentioned there are 10+ other major developing conflicts worldwide but the biggest elephant in the room is that whatever we do, We must do our best to avoid third world war!

Warmongering especially between United States and China is the stupidest move IMHO, we are already on the de-globalisation path, no need to do more sabre rattling, as anyone can see building is difficult (see latest report on 10+years of Belt & road initiative) and destructions by war/nukes or earthquakes are quick and benefit no one (with devastating legacy and meaningless lost of lives).

My Poem for the future in different languages:

一齊建设未来，莫毁前程 (Jiànshè wèilái, mò huǐ qiánchéng)

Build, don't destroy - a brighter tomorrow for all to enjoy!

Construisons sans détruire - demain brillant pour s'épanouir. (translated by ChatGPT, I do not take any responsibility for the above French sentence!)

Can Music Save our world?

interesting ted talk few years back by Simon Broughton

Ultimately, the resilience of the Ukrainian people over the past year is a testament to the power of human spirit and the ability of people to come together in times of crisis. It was great to see despite being at war, "Kalush Orchestra" song won 2022's Eurovision Song Contest.. my next post will be about whether/how/with whom to create a music movement to fix the world, if you have any ideas/suggestions please ping me a message!

As we move forward, we must remember these lessons and work to harness the power of our shared humanity to build a more just and equitable world for all.

Lets' #FixTheWorld together ... I hope.

Watch Prof Susan Rogers' interesting vide lecture on psychology for record makers:

maybe we can also learn from Kaiser Kuo's musical talent & timing, can we start a music festival that promote friendship, understanding, and trade, and some good food? a good fun podcast with him explaining his music with Xiaodan Cindy Yu :

Who can help create MusicFestival.4Good.space ?? I will explore that in my next #FixTheWorld or #GiveUP post.

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Best,

Gareth Wong 王