Submitted by Kenneth Kokason on the 2016 winter session program in China sponsored by the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice..
This week, we traveled to Xiamen, the southern coast of China. It is very different compared to the capital, for it is much warmer and more humid, similar to if one traveled from NYC to Miami. We will have class here for the week and return to Beijing on Sunday. This city is beautiful and has greatly attributed to my education while abroad, for one can see how the centralized law enforcement system is uniform and pervasive in every corner of the nation.
I have learned so much on this study abroad, and not just about criminology or comparative policing, but about real life, and real people. I thought this place would be some bizarre land, but I see that both countries share a lot of similarities and frankly people are just people wherever you go.
This country is unique in particular because of the unbelievable population. You know how New York is built high to accommodate for a huge mass of people condensed in a very small area? Well, Chinese cities are like that all over. The population density is incredible, and there are so many 10-20-30 story buildings, and hundreds of businesses on a street.
With that said, when you look at the disparity between rich and poor, it is quite sobering. So often you will see an Audi or BMW recklessly blow past a pauper and his food cart crossing the street. Or you’ll see decked out teens in fancy American style clothes on the subway, acting like they don’t hear the blind man playing his lute asking for donations. When I see the living conditions of so many people, I thank God for what I have. When I learn about how their criminal justice system works, I know just how blessed I am.
