Summary of the Key Points
This article uses the controversy surrounding Liu Xiang’s post-retirement options—whether to buy out his employment contract or to become a coach—as a starting point to reveal the dilemma he has always faced of being “defined” by the outside world. From his triumph as a champion to his retirement, he has been labeled by the West as a “miracle of the Asian race,” and now he is constrained by the logic of the institutional system. By revisiting an old article from twenty years ago, the article delves into how Western racial discourse interprets the success of East Asian athletes and explores the relationship between human biological diversity and athletic achievements. It argues against simplifying abilities based on race while not denying the existence of innate differences, ultimately concluding that only by acknowledging these differences can we truly respect individuals.
Detailed Analysis
1. Liu Xiang’s Dilemma of Being “Defined”: A Life of Trying to Break Free from External Labels
Liu Xiang’s story serves as a mirror reflecting the external “forced definitions” of individuals:
- Racial Labels in the Arena: When Liu Xiang won the championship in 2004, Western media and the public were shocked because they long believed that East Asians were not good at sprinting, a sport that requires explosive power. Thus, his success was labeled a “miracle of the Asian race.” This label, while seemingly positive, was a form of “specialization” within Western racial discourse, implying that East Asians are inherently inferior to Europeans or Africans, with Liu Xiang being just an exception.
- Post-Retirement Institutional Identity: Now, he is caught in a controversy over his employment contract, which is another form of definition imposed by the system: he must either buy out his contract to leave the system or accept a coaching position, with no third option. These definitions are not choices made by Liu Xiang himself but are imposed by external factors (racial discourse, institutional rules).
In short, Liu Xiang’s journey from being the “Asian sprinter” to a “member of the system” has never allowed him to escape being shaped by others.
2. Why Was Liu Xiang’s Victory a “Surprise” to the West? The Racial Thinking Behind Stereotypes
The West’s surprise at Liu Xiang’s victory stems from deeply ingrained racial stereotypes:
- Preconceived Bias: The West has long believed that Chinese sports success is due to “official investment” (such as the national sports system) rather than the athletes’ natural talent. They view sprinting as a sport dominated by Europeans or Africans.
- The Subtext of Racial Discourse: Although American media praised Liu Xiang, their underlying message was that if the gold medal had been won by a European or African, there would have been no such fuss. This surprise reflects racial stereotypes.
It’s like when you think your neighbor’s child is not good at math, and then they suddenly get a perfect score on a test; your first reaction is not “they worked hard” but “did they cheat?” This is the same attitude the West had towards Liu Xiang.
3. The Advantages of African Athletes: Innate or Social? The Debate Around Entini’s Book “Taboo”
The article uses Entini’s book “Taboo” to explain the advantages of African athletes in certain sports, acknowledging both innate differences and opposing racism:
- Data Evidence: Entini provides statistics showing that the last five Olympic 100-meter finals have all been won by athletes of West African descent (Nigeria, Senegal, etc.), despite West Africa accounting for only 8% of the world’s population. This is almost impossible, suggesting that West African muscle types are more suited for sprinting.
- Cannot Be Simplified to Race: For example, East Africans (Kenya, Ethiopia) are good at long-distance running, while West Africans are good at sprinting. This is not a “racial” advantage but a result of geography and evolution. People from the East African highlands are adapted to low-oxygen environments, making them suitable for endurance sports, while those from West Africa’s coastal areas are suited for explosive sports.
- Social Factors: For instance, African communities may lack good schools but have more sports facilities, which encourage children to engage in sports. However, this does not explain why there are few African-American sprinting stars despite similar poverty levels. Innate differences play a role, but they are not the only factor.
In short, African athletes’ advantages in certain sports are due to biological factors, not race, but rather evolutionary adaptations of specific groups.
4. Breaking the Ridiculous Association Between Good Sports Performance and Low Intelligence
The West once had the false notion that athletes of color were less intelligent. This is completely baseless:
- Contradictory Examples: Kobe Bryant scored a perfect SAT score (equivalent to the American college entrance exam), showing that athletes can be highly intelligent. Kenyan children have strong abilities in identifying herbs but lower IQ scores in IQ tests designed for Western cultures.
- Diversity of Intelligence: Scholars at Yale University have identified three types of intelligence: analytical (test-based), practical (problem-solving), and creative (innovation). Asians may be strong in analytical intelligence, while Africans may be strong in practical intelligence. There is no inherent connection between athletic ability and intelligence.
5. Acknowledging Differences: Not Racism, but the Beginning of Respect
Entini’s core message is that recognizing innate differences is not racism but a first step towards understanding each other:
- Differences Are Not a Reason for Discrimination: Liu Xiang’s success in the 110-meter hurdles shows that certain skills (such as hurdling) require specific abilities, meaning other races still have opportunities. This indicates that differences exist, but they are not excuses for failure; instead, they provide directions for finding suitable fields.
- Respecting Individuals Is More Important Than Labels: Whether labeled as a “miracle of the Asian race” or a “member of the system,” these are external labels. True respect comes from recognizing an individual’s efforts and choices, not defining them by race or the system.
For example, you should not assume that someone who is good at running can only do that; instead, you should respect their desire to become a coach or pursue other careers. This is what true equality means.
Conclusion
This article teaches us that individuals should not be defined by external labels (race, system). Whether in sports or life, we should acknowledge innate differences while respecting individual uniqueness. This is the key to breaking the dilemma of being “defined” by others. Liu Xiang’s story is a reflection of a challenge we all face: how to avoid being constrained by others’ perceptions or rules and pursue our own dreams. This is a thought-provoking question.