Under the Heel of the Dragon: Islam, Racism, Crime, and the Uighur in China (Ohio RIS Global Series) [Paperback]

Blaine Kaltman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 2007 | Series: Ohio RIS Global Series (Book 7)

The Turkic Muslims from Central Asia known as the Uighur have long faced social and economic disadvantages in China due to their minority status. Under the Heel of the Dragon: Islam, Racism, Crime, and the Uighur in China offers a unique insight into current conflicts resulting from the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and the Chinese government’s oppression of religious minorities that have heightened the degree of polarization between the Uighur and the dominant Chinese ethnic group, the Han.

Author Blaine Kaltman’s study is based on in-depth interviews that he conducted in Chinese without either the aid of an interpreter or the knowledge of the Chinese government. These riveting conversations expose the thoughts of a wide socioeconomic spectrum of Han and Uighur, revealing their mutual prejudices. The Uighurs believe that the Han discriminate against them in almost every aspect of their lives, and this perception of racism motivates the Uighurs’ own prejudice against the Han.

Kaltman reports that Uighur criminal activity (unlike that of other minorities, which predominantly occurs within their own communities) is directed against their perceived oppressors, the Han Chinese. Under the Heel of the Dragon offers a unique insight into a misunderstood world and a detailed explanation of the cultural perceptions that drive these misconceptions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A valuable case study focusing on the degree of Uighur assimilation or desire for assimilation to the majority Han society.... engagingly written.... Highly recommended.”

—CHOICE

“The truth is that there is no cut-and-dry answer to these problems, but this book has done an exceptional job foreshadowing the riots of July 2009 by examining the deep-rooted problems that Xinjiang’s ethnic groups face. It’s the same problems that many people have when forming opinions about Xinjiang, one reason this book would be a beneficial read for them.”

—Xinjiang Far West China Blog

About the Author

Blaine Kaltman, who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and spent five years in China, holds an MS in criminal justice from the University of Tennessee and a PhD in sociology from the University of Queensland. He traveled extensively throughout China and wrote for That’s Shanghai.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Ohio University Press; 1 edition (August 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089680254X
• ISBN-13: 978-0896802544
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,243,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars disturbing on a few different levels, June 17, 2010

By 

Robert W. Wilson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Under the Heel of the Dragon: Islam, Racism, Crime, and the Uighur in China (Ohio RIS Global Series) (Paperback)

One strange thing about this book is that the author had such a difficult time finding a mosque in Shanghai while living there. I found the Xiaotaoyuan Mosque one afternoon while just walking around during a two-day stopover. Others can be found here: [...].

On Kaltman's methodology: He claims to have conducted an ethnography. The fact is that most credible ethnography is marked by long-term personal involvement with those being studied. Kaltman conducted research over a period of less than a year at four sites. This would put him at 3 months per site which doesn't quite meet the criterion of length. He repeatedly characterizes his interviews as "in-depth" but they seem to be more like casual one-off conversations. He talks with people on the street; there is no evidence of trust - the type of trust that builds relationships and leads to meaningful conversations and analysis.

On Kaltman's conclusions: His advocacy of Mandarin-language assimilation made me shiver. To that I say, shame on you Blaine Kaltman. I admit that I am biased because I am a proponent of linguistic diversity. But I feel that Kaltman is somewhat blinded by the merits he associates with the eradication of the Uyghur language. I find it strange that Kaltman says that a number of the Uyghurs he met were proponents of the removal of the Uyghur language from the regional system of education. I spent a year and a half in the Uyghur region and I didn't meet a single Uyghur who advocated for Mandarin language assimilation. All the Uyghurs I know are upset that their language is losing ground to Mandarin in the regional system of education.

It pains me to give a one star rating to a novice researcher but I found Kaltman's conclusions unconscionable and appalling.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good discussion of Uyghur/Han issues...but biased?, May 18, 2008

By 

J. Miller (Seattle) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under the Heel of the Dragon: Islam, Racism, Crime, and the Uighur in China (Ohio RIS Global Series) (Paperback)

Kaltman provides a comprehensive discussion of Uyghur/Han perspectives but seems to have a bias toward the Han perspective. Perhaps because he speaks Mandarin not Uyghur. Also, a fundamental error throughout the book and in photo captions raises doubt as to the accuracy and intimacy the author has with the Uyghurs. He refers constantly to "goat meat", when the meat is mutton and the food either kabob or shish kabob. How could the author make such a basic error when the Uyghur are famous for their wonderful kabob? Did he not ever eat Uyghur food? Doesn't he know the difference between a goat and a sheep? Was there editorial review of the book? Also, his interviews of Uyghur professionals numbered only 8 vs.41 for Han; biasing the persective to less educated Uyghur and more educated Han. My own experience on 3 trips to Xinjiang since 2004 are significantly more positive to Uyghur than he has portrayed. Regardless, his discussion of the Uyghur people is illuminating but one should not consider the perspectives he draws as necessarily accurate.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent and prescient book on Uyghur - Han relations, January 7, 2010

By 

Kevin A. Komoroski (Midwestern U.S.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under the Heel of the Dragon: Islam, Racism, Crime, and the Uighur in China (Ohio RIS Global Series) (Paperback)

Given the lack of access available to researchers to examine the plight of Uyghurs in China and the state of ethnic relations generally, this book is a very admirable effort. The author does a good job of letting his subjects speak their minds and I found it even handed. the interviews distill the gulf between Uyghur and Han attitudes toward eachother and reflect my experience living in Xinjiang for a year and a half. It is unfortunate how casual and unreflective racism in China is among your average citizen. Considering the ethnic riots in Urumqi last year, these misperceptions are a real and potentially dangerous social problem that deserves direct treatment.