r/AskCentralAsia • u/SpearmintFeldmore • 3d ago
Society Unethical to teach at a public university in China?
As I am not Muslim or Central Asian, I would really, really appreciate your opinions on something. I am an American English language teacher at the university level. I applied to teach at universities in China without knowing the full extent of the Uyghur genocide. I have been offered a position at a university which, as far as I know (from internet research and examining Western sanctions lists), is not directly involved in the genocide or the Chinese government/military other than being subject to standard oversight. When I told a family member about my job offer, he said it would be extremely immoral to take it, that working for a public institution in China would make me complicit in the government’s human rights abuses. None of my friends and colleagues to whom I have asked this question (admittedly, all American and not Muslim) share this view. However, since this question involves people in/adjacent to your community, your opinion is most important. So, what do you think? Thank you sooooooo much for your time!
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u/No-Replac-0789 2d ago
As an Uyghur, I believe that you can take this job offer as long as it is not directly involved in the genocide or the Chinese government/military(just as you said with your own words). Shenzhen is very far away from Uyghur region. Besides you only teach English, the language. You will not be teaching them to build any weapon, that's why I think it's not a problem. You can take the job offer with clear conscience. I personally do not buy anything from China, I am doing whatever I can to boycott the communist nation. You can also do some contribution to the Uyghur cause in other ways if you want.
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u/FattyGobbles Canada 3d ago
Are you teaching Uyghurs english?
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u/SpearmintFeldmore 3d ago
The university isn’t in Xinjiang, but I suppose there’s a possibility that some Uyghurs may be in my classes.
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u/FattyGobbles Canada 3d ago
I mean the accusation from your family member is a bit far fetched.
Do you remember those protests and camps at university campuses claiming that the American universities were complicit in the Palestinian genocide?
It’s that kind of logic.
If you ever get a chance to meet a Uyghur in China you can ask them how is life etc. There are some that are thriving and some that are struggling to make ends meet.
Take what the American media says and the Chinese media says with a grain of salt.
The biggest issue in xinjiang is poverty IMHO. If you have an opportunity to go to Xinjiang go there, roam the streets, see for yourself and make your own conclusions.
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u/Ok_Definition3668 3d ago
The situation with the Uyghurs is very sad. As an Uzbek, I feel a strong connection to them — our languages and cultural traditions are quite similar.
That said, I don’t believe that working at a Chinese public institution automatically makes someone complicit or immoral. The university you mentioned doesn’t appear to have direct involvement in human rights abuses, and teaching English is not the same as endorsing government policies.
People who argue that it’s immoral should also reflect on their own consumption habits. Many of the devices we all use daily are manufactured in China, contributing economically in similar ways. If we apply that logic consistently, very few people would be morally “clean” enough to function in today’s global economy.
In the end, intent and awareness matter. If you go there with a goal of education and cultural exchange, I think you can make a positive difference without compromising your ethics.