Value of money

Comment on Liu Shinan's column "Learning the value of money" (China Daily, September 5, 2007))

This was a beautifully written column. I was so moved and touched by what you wrote. I just wanted to let you know.

Susan P. Beacham

via e-mail

Securitization market

Comment on Hong Liang's column "Time to re-evaluate policies" (China Daily, September 4, 2007)

No longer a regular reader of China Daily now that I am back in New York, I only encounter your columns when I fly Cathay. (And then I remember how much I enjoyed them).

Today was different: your column surfaced in one of my google alerts.

Your observations on the securitization market are very true.

Securitization can do many things that free market capitalism cannot.

For example, it can recapitalize many projects of high social benefit and moderate (but very stable) income generating potential.

But, securitization has been abused. And to some extent, there has been a bit of an information conspiracy, as much of what is now known about the latent risk was known before.

Ann

via e-mail

Unhealthy obsession

Comment on Zou Hanrou's column "An unhealthy obsession with color of skin" (China Daily, September 7, 2007)

Zou's column addressed this sad and pathological obsession with white skin color imposed on the beautiful yellow and brown peoples of Asia. I just spent five weeks visiting China and this obsession was truly astounding, from the whitening creams, to parasols in the shade, and arm coverlets. I think that there are some additional aspects that need to be addressed to get to the root of the issue.

When Europe was primarily an agricultural society, most of the population was constantly exposed to the sun while working in the fields. Thus, only the idle rich could afford to stay out of the sun, and hence the alabaster skin color was a vulgar way of showing one's wealth and easily differentiating themselves from the "dirty" and "sunburned" peasants.

With the onset of the industrial revolution, hard labor moved indoors and away from the sun. Suddenly, it was the white pallid skin that was unhealthy and unattractive. Now only those with sufficient means to go to the Caribbean for the winter can sport a nice tan, in order to show off their wealth. Only the poor have white skins in winter.

China and Asia remain largely agricultural societies, and heavily influenced by the perverse legacy of colonialism concerning race and color. Most horrifying of all is that many of these skin "whiteners" contain ingredients that are unhealthy, dangerous and even fatal. In the United States skin whiteners used to be common among African-Americans until a movement of pride and dignity called "Black is Beautiful" largely freed them of such ugliness. Perhaps it is time to promote "Yellow and Brown are Beautiful."

As a person who happens to be born very white and must live in constant fear of the sun, cursing my useless skin, I plead with my Asian sisters and brothers to love and leave their color as it is- beautiful.

Aaron Ruby

San Francisco, California

Fashion designers

Comment on Li Xing's column "Our fashion designers need support" (China Daily, September 6, 2007))

While I agree with you that Chinese designers need support, I do not agree with your point that "the media should not make hasty conclusions about style ... even for the sake of argument."

Fashion is such a dynamic, competitive industry that consumers are flooded with choices. Decisions of whether to buy a garment or not are made quickly, some might even say hastily. But that is the reality of the situation. This is an industry with a fast turnover - products that take several months to develop, occupy shelf space in stores for less than one season. So desginers' products, no matter how complex, must be able to stand the test of hasty judgment - from media and consumers alike.

Moreover, have more faith in consumers - a slagging from the media does not always equate to dismal sales. Media attention, good or bad, will draw more attention to designers. If creations are good, regardless of media influence, the clothes will find a market.

Sherisse Pham

via e-mail

(China Daily 09/11/2007 page11)