Hatred of rich people ignited by illegal street racing

Source:Global Times Published: 2015-4-14 23:53:01

A Lamborghini and a Ferrari crashed during an illegal road race in Beijing on Saturday. Although no one was killed, this accident involving two luxury cars soon provoked controversy in Chinese public opinion, especially when police reports revealed that both drivers are in their 20s and unemployed.

Jobless lads driving luxury sports cars and racing for fun will inevitably make the headlines. Chinese netizens exploded at the news and vented their long-harbored hatred toward rich people.

It is still unconfirmed whether the two drivers were born with a silver spoon in their mouths, but we need to give more thought to how society reacted to the accident. People tend to look at social injustices through a peephole, which can twist some basic moralities and values.

People who can afford Ferraris and Lamborghinis have formed an affluent class in China.

Their career success enables them to acquire good fortunes, and their contributions to society are getting more aligned with their growing wealth. However, many of them like flaunting their wealth on inappropriate occasions, which has caused much antipathy against the whole group.

There is no doubt that the two illegal racers are putting the already vulnerable image of the entire affluent class in jeopardy. The rich should pay close attention to this accident.

The Chinese nouveau riche must be aware that they should stop acting like Beverly Hillbillies. They shouldn't indulge their children any more, and cannot condescend to the less well-off. A climate of shaming the excessive flaunting of wealth should prevail.

China's economic growth requires more improvements in cultural and social spheres, and we cannot hold an overcritical attitude toward the rich. However, the new rich need to realize that they cannot evade their due responsibilities by flashing the cash. The sooner they understand the truth, the better they can protect their image.

The consequences the two racers will face will be judged by law enforcement organs. Some might think only the law has the floor in this case, but the public's strong response also merits our attention.

Thriving in a diversified and market-oriented society, China's new rich has the right to purchase anything it wants as long as it is lawful, and their strong consumption is an important driver of economic progress. However, compared with China's disadvantaged groups, some of whom are still struggling in abject poverty, their conspicuous consumption is also hurtful.

Hurtful though it is, this cognitive gap between the rich and the poor cannot be bridged without the rich starting to change their mind-set. They shouldn't put on labels such as "rich but uncivilized." They need more self-cultivation to ramp up their public reputation, so that a handful of black sheep won't have their way anymore.



Posted in: Observer

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