MCLC: "terrorism" in Kunming (11)

[Denton, Kirk]

MCLC LIST
From: Kevin Carrico <kjc83 at cornell.edu>
Subject: "terrorism" in Kunming (11)
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In terms of the "credibility of intentions," did anyone consider that the
quotation marks could just be quotation marks? This is my understanding.

The Chinese media frequently uses such marks to indicate ideas that have
to be written about but still resolutely opposed: "Taiwan independence,"
"Hong Kong independence," "Xinjiang independence," and various Taiwanese
government organs. In my experience, such snarky use of quotation marks is
not a common feature of the so-called Western media. Hence, perhaps,the
Misunderstanding.

Let's note that CNN does not have a bureau in Kunming, for obvious
reasons. As such, they were at first relying on the one official Xinhua
report available at the time and quoting it. Careful readers might note
that the end of the article cites this Xinhua report,which it says
"referred to them as 'terrorists.'"

It is also ridiculous to question the media quoting Wang Lixiong. He is
one of few scholars working in China with a considerably more nuanced and
thoughtful position on ethnic relations therein. Anyone interested in
isolating particular statements and questioning his intentions should take
the time to watch the recent movie "Dialogue," in which he is featured
prominently.

Finally, what does it mean that questioning the intentions of quotation
marks on CNN has generated this lengthy discussion, when there are plenty
of far more serious and indeed real concerns before us everyday? Anyone
who believes that the root of the current dilemma in Xinjiang is to be
found in these quotation marks is of course welcome to continue discussing
them. But with over thirty dead in Kunming, hundreds others dead in
Xinjiang in the growing clashes since 2009, the imposing prospect of an
intensified and indiscriminate crackdown in Xinjiang in an already
extremely tense environment, and hints that Uyghurs across China are being
sent back to Xinjiang against their will, CNN's quotation marks strike me
as very much a secondary concern!

Kevin