Moral example for wealthy kids

Members of the rich second generation are usually in the news for all the wrong reasons, but one heroic exception shows they should not all be tarred with the same brush, says an article in People's Daily. Excerpts:

Zhou Jiangjiang, a 28-year-old company general manager, was killed in a dormitory fire after breaking into it twice and rescuing all 10 of his employees on July 2. His heroic self-sacrifice has deeply moved the whole country.

When people warned him of the risks, he said that as the head of the company he was responsible for his employees' safety. He bore that responsibility courageously.

Many may have given Zhou extra praise, as most people would expect people of Zhou's social status to turn a blind eye in such circumstances. When the public is becoming tired of hearing reports about people of the rich second generation behaving badly, Zhou's act has come as a welcome change.

The question is whether Zhou's heroism will set an example for the rich second generation.

The hostility toward the rich is actually hatred toward a society that is becoming less equitable. We now live in a society where young people who have been born into a wealthy family can gain instant success with their parents' power and money, while the grassroots have little or no opportunities.

If Zhou represents a society where material wealth comes with moral richness, then the rich deserve less hostility.

(China Daily 07/12/2012 page9)