ChinaTalk Evan Osnos on Tiananmen, Protests in America and Political Leadership
Jun 8, 2020
Evan Osnos, a staff writer for The New Yorker known for his incisive reporting on China and the U.S., discusses significant historical parallels between Tiananmen Square and contemporary protests in America. He critiques the moral responsibilities of leadership, drawing contrasts between figures like Trump and Deng Xiaoping. Osnos emphasizes the urgency of social justice while reflecting on Martin Luther King Jr.'s influence. The conversation underscores the collective journey toward equality, highlighting the ongoing struggle for human dignity across nations.
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Tiananmen & US Protests: Distant Military Units
- During the Tiananmen Square protests, military units from outside Beijing were brought in.
- These units felt less connected to the protesters, a tactic mirrored in the US protests with National Guard units from other states.
Checks and Balances in US Governance
- The US federalist system allows different levels of government to challenge each other, as seen with Arlington County withdrawing its officers from DC protests.
- This public display of checks and balances is preferable to unchecked executive power.
Trump's View on Tiananmen
- Trump's 1990 Playboy quote reveals his admiration for the Chinese government's response to Tiananmen.
- This highlights Trump's focus on strength and perceived weakness, influenced by his gut feelings.