Diversity and Opinions

I believe that American society often takes diversity for granted. It was really quite strange to walk around Beijing and have people staring and taking pictures of us because we look different. I also believe that The diversity in the United States has allowed us to develop a society in which everyone can have a different opinion and have a say in politics. Having people from all different backgrounds as encouraged diversity in opinions as well. We have free thought and are able to think whatever we want about any subject. As our tour guide Zoey suggested, it is not quite the same in Beijing. Because Chinese people have been living in a society that encourages impartial opinions and few emotions for centuries, and because of the lack of people who have had different experiences, and also the significant censorship, many Chinese people completely trust their government and do not want to have a say in politics. Our tour guide, Zoey, even explained that she believed in the one party system and did not believe that China should run through a democracy. She believes that one government that controls everything is the only way for China to function. While in the United States, there is so much diversity and so many different opinions and backgrounds that there seems to be no way except democracy. Now I feel like I can appreciate free thinking and I hope to take advantage of my right to have a say and voice my opinion.