The Point

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Sappy pappy

You should probably know that one of my greatest pleasures in life is listening to Mando-pop superstar Wang Leehom (AKA Leehom, AKA 王力宏, etc etc). In fact, as you're reading this, it would not be unreasonable to imagine me writing this post and shimmying in small movements back and forth to the infectious wonder that is Xin Zhong De Ri Yue, his second-last album. Yes, that was me you recognised in line with 20 000 weeping Chinese girls when it came out, waiting hours and hours to get him to sign my copy at So Show shopping centre.

But like all good Chinese pop stars, Leehom doesn't just make music. No, he also makes movies (one of which, coming out soon, looks like it might actually be worth watching). And does ads for things. A lot of things. For anything bloody company that will flash him a wad of cash and a bit of leg, to be honest.

I've known this as long as I've been listening to him (not decades). I've even got an mp3 of the awful piece of corporate shite he did for McDonald's, Wo Jiu Xihuan. But it still broke my heart when I saw him grinning back at me for the first time a few months ago from Wahaha bottled water. Bottled water? Really? From a man who talks up environmental responsibility and just released his first "green album"?

But then again, the situation around bottled water here in North America isn't the same as over in China. Here, unless you have been totally misled about the quality of what's coming out of your tap, you know that you more than likely have access to some of the cleanest, safest water in the world, and for less than pennies per liter. From a tap! In your house! We drink bottled water because it's more convenient than planning ahead to bring some when we go out, because pretty much every alternative at the vending machine is bad for you, and because... well, because it's everywhere.

In China, people usually drink it because they're going to get sick if they drink the tap water without boiling it, because it still has that sheen of luxury to it, and because the other popular alternative for middle class urban families is getting it by the jug for your cooler, which isn't quite as toteable or stylish. But despite Wang Leehom's undeniable marketing appeal, it's still absurdly unaffordable for many millions more than all us Canucks up here gurgling cheerfully.

We have a lot to be thankful for.

This hit me watching Michael Moore's new documentary Sicko with my friend Angela the other day. I honestly did not realise how fortunate we are to have universal health care in Canada. There are a nightmarish litany of agonising choices we will never have to make, crippling debts we will never have to find ourselves in when we get sick, because we have decided, collectively, that it's up to all of us to take care of each other when we do. And I am so grateful for it. (Look! Maybe the Globe and Mail just watched Sicko the other day too. I am imagining a big pajama party. Dozens of journalists in Winnie the Pooh fleece bottoms, with twizzlers, notepads, and Orville Reddenbacher. I am imagining Rex Murphy not amused).

We're racist, ignorant, selfish, and short-sighted in many ways. We have a lot of history to come to terms with, and a lot of problems to overcome ahead of us. But on the whole, I think I'm having a Margaret Wente moment; a genuine appreciation for what battles have been brought to bring us where we are today, to a place where, for the most part, we take care of each other and we get along. I am constantly learning how truly remarkable those things are.

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posted by Christopher at 4:45 p.m.

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