Thoughts as US hegemony erodes, Global South rises

2023 has gotten even worse than 2020, which I didn’t think was possible. I finally made it back home this year after three years of strict Covid rules. This time back home felt different than other times, even though on the surface it felt similar. 

How can it be two contradictory things at the same time?

It makes perfect sense, actually. This perception reflects my internal conflicts about my future: Would I pack my things and go back home for good? Or would I stay in this hellhole of a country? It’s been a question even before I graduated from college almost 10 years ago. My family thought I would take my degrees and credentials right after I finished my schooling. Yet I stayed here for much longer than anticipated. 

I used to think that I could stay and it wouldn’t matter. I felt a sense of freedom in the States that I didn’t feel at home. But this was the first time I realized the answer wasn’t the US. I realized I needed space away from my family and to find my own life. All my younger formative years were spent meeting family expectations rather than finding what was fulfilling for me. 

But another shift dawned on me: The falling of the US empire is so REAL. And it’s happening much faster than I thought it would. The worst part is that China is targeted by the empire more than ever. 

I feel deep anxiety that is exacerbated by deep economic and political problems. Deep structural issues are causing the country to collapse. The rise of fascism divides the people and suppresses dissent. On top of all of these problems, the vampiric military brings only death to the people, and profits to the rich. 

And yes, the rich are NOT people. They are not human anymore. I’m convinced these capitalists do not have souls. 

It is a gloomy country full of dread. But there is some hope. 

The Global South is rising. It’s not just BRICS or the leaders of these countries, but the PEOPLE. They are fed up with American Imperialism. I’m happy to see both leaders and especially the people rising up against the empire. It’s been too long. 

China is doing its share. The people have prospered under a government that eliminated absolute poverty and built public infrastructure. I have no doubts about having a better quality of life back home. 

Even though I have more clarity on this trip home, I hesitate to leave. Spending most of my life in the States makes me attached to it in an indescribable way. Of course, I will not miss the material or intellectual life here because all of that is better in China. But I have built so many relationships and met many people here that I will miss. 

It’s glorious to see the empire crumbling. But at the same time, incredibly sad. It is again this duality that I struggle with. I have wanted this empire to fall for so long, yet I also know that the consequences will be astronomical. Systems will fail. People will suffer. Chaos will ensue. 

In the ashes of the old world may emerge a new one. No matter how terrifying the destruction will be, I hope the new world will be like a phoenix, rising to a greater self.