If Only My Kids Went to Fei Tian…

Al Whitted, an Elon University graduate, embarked on the entire Appalachian Trail before channeling his passion into teaching environmental education and naturalist skills. After getting married, he taught in public schools and led a large outdoor camp, eventually founding his own adventure company, Walk Your Path Well Adventures, where he shared his deep love for the great outdoors. Together with his wife, he has raised two adventurous sons who share his zest for life.

Now settled in New York, Al is the Athletic Director and Summer Camp Director at Northern Academy. When he's not at school, you’ll likely find him in his backyard, happily gardening, planting fruit trees, and tending to his flock of nine chickens.

As a father, educator, camp director, and athletic director with over 30 years of experience working with youth, I am both surprised and disheartened by The New York Times’s recent portrayal of Fei Tian Academy of the Arts, Fei Tian College, and Shen Yun Performing Arts. The article, which employs language reminiscent of CCP propaganda, risks perpetuating harmful stereotypes and fueling ongoing persecution against Falun Gong practitioners who have already suffered greatly under the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) rule.

Throughout the piece, Fei Tian College (editor's note: a school where many Shen Yun artists study) is repeatedly referred to as a “compound”—a term that conjures up images of secrecy and cultism. What secrecy? Falun Gong practitioners meditate openly in parks around the world, and the teachings of Mr. Li Hongzhi are freely available online for anyone to read. This choice of language to describe the campus of a fully accredited American institution of higher education is not only misleading but also troubling in its alignment with the CCP’s long-standing strategy of demonizing Falun Gong. This kind of language designed to skew perceptions has been used in China to legitimize the CCP’s torture, imprisonment, and killing of countless innocent men, women, and even children whose only “crime” is their commitment to the universal principles of Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance.

The New York Times article attempts to insinuate that Fei Tian’s restrictions on smartphone use are a means of controlling students and limiting their access to information. However, such policies are nothing out of the ordinary in schools. Even New York Governor Kathy Hochul is considering a ban on smartphones in public schools to help ensure that students can focus on their education. More and more school districts are implementing similar controls given the rapidly growing body of evidence that unrestricted smartphone use among adolescents is linked to a host of mental health challenges. For instance, studies show that between 2012 and 2017, rates of depression among teens increased by 63%, with smartphones and social media being significant contributing factors. A 2018 Pew Research Center survey also found that 59% of U.S. teens have experienced some form of cyberbullying, exacerbating mental health issues.

Even tech pioneers like Steve Jobs have recognized the dangers inherent in unrestricted access to digital devices and imposed strict limitations on their own children’s use of technology. As far as I’ve heard, Fei Tian students and Shen Yun performers do have smartphones, but with certain restrictions on social media and internet access. The truth is, it’s obvious to every teacher and parent that excessive screen time is associated with increased anxiety, disrupted sleep patterns, and diminished academic performance. Fei Tian’s approach to smartphone use is not only reasonable but commendable, reflecting a commitment to the well-being and success of its students. Maybe the six to eight hours that are saved each day by not being on smartphones or surfing the Internet can be used to practice an instrument, hone a skill, socialize with real friends, or simply give a growing body enough sleep.

It seems strange that The Times’s article would take issue with the discipline and time commitment required of Shen Yun artists. Yet we all know that achieving excellence in any field—be it athletics, arts, or academics—demands sacrifice and rigorous training. Professional athletes like LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, or Olympic medalists will all attest to the intense discipline required to reach the pinnacle of their professions. Shen Yun artists perform in some of the most prestigious theaters in the world, and so it goes without saying that they must meet exacting standards, and they understand that. Anyone who has experienced a Shen Yun performance can tell you that the level of artistry really does reflect an extraordinary level of dedication that has propelled them to global acclaim.

The Times even takes issue with the movies that Fei Tian students watch, as if discretion and good taste are outdated concepts. Every private school has the right to protect its younger students from the confused sexuality, substance abuse, profanity, and violence that are common in many films and other media today. Instead, Fei Tian seeks to honor more classical and traditional films that reflect the integrity and character the institution seeks to cultivate. Why is it so surprising that some institutions still value discretion in their choices?

Moreover, the assertion that Fei Tian students are exploited is unfounded. It’s not easy to get into Fei Tian—students must go through a rigorous audition process that can take years to prepare for. Getting in is cause for great celebration for both the parents and the kids. I know this because the dream of many of the students who attend Northern Academy, a private boarding school where I work, is to get into Fei Tian. Those who are lucky enough to get accepted can receive a world-class private boarding school education and then possibly go on to a quality four-year private college education, basically at no cost. This is because Fei Tian offers full-tuition scholarships as well as room and board to qualified students. Given how much a decent education can cost these days, it’s an opportunity any parent would jump on. Just as a comparison, the tuition and room and board at Northern Academy where I work is about $38,000 a year, which is on the low end of private prep schools in the U.S.—it’s not cheap to educate and manage and keep kids occupied these days. But the parents are willing to pay because they find some schools are unable or unwilling to protect their kids from drugs, vaping, and other behaviors that could destroy their futures.

At Fei Tian, the students receive a world-class education at no cost. At the same time, they are given the opportunity to participate in a practicum that allows them to hone their artistic and professional skills on a global stage. It’s very common for ballet dancers as young as 14 or 15 to take internships, whether paid or unpaid, with professional ballet companies while they’re still in school because the career lifespan of a dancer is relatively short, and they must take every opportunity they are given while still in their prime. While in school, most students are not paid the same rate as adults, but they are usually given school or experiential credit. Some of the interviewees seemed to think they were entitled to both free college tuition and a full salary at the same time, but not even U.S. college athletes can expect that kind of treatment.

Aspiring dancers and musicians often do internships or practicums to try out for full-time positions that are not usually very easy to come by. Upon graduation from Fei Tian College, if they have what it takes, the students can either go on to graduate school or seek full-time employment with Shen Yun where they are given a competitive salary and the chance to continue perfecting their craft while traveling the world. This is hardly exploitation; it’s an unparalleled opportunity for aspiring artists. To put it in perspective, isn’t it true that most aspiring dancers and musicians in the world can struggle an entire lifetime and never get a chance to play at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center or any of the top theaters in Europe? It’s a rarified world. Those students who choose to move on after high school or college, for whatever reason, are in a good position—alumni of Fei Tian have been known to go on to Ivy League universities or graduate schools in the fields of their choice. It turns out the discipline and focus developed while training to become a world-class classical musician or dancer are transferable to other fields as well.

If my own sons had had the chance to attend Fei Tian, I would have considered it a tremendous blessing. Instead of falling prey to the myriad distractions and dangers that plague today’s youth—whether through social media, video games, or substance abuse—they would have been immersed in a disciplined environment that fosters both personal growth and artistic mastery. They would have learned the value of hard work, dedication, and focus, all while receiving a top-tier education and the chance to broaden their horizons as they tour around the world. Instead, they took a more mundane route and will now have to navigate the difficulties of student loans and finding gainful employment on their own.

It is disappointing that The Times chose to focus on the negative experiences of a few former participants rather than offering a balanced perspective. The article’s use of insinuation and its emphasis on restrictive practices align too closely with the CCP’s propaganda, which has led to the persecution of millions of Falun Gong practitioners in China. This is not journalism; it is a disservice to readers and a dangerous alignment with a regime notorious for its human rights abuses. Imagine doing a hit piece on Uyghurs knowing full well that thousands of them are still being held in concentration camps in China. In the same way, how could anyone in good conscience do a piece attempting to discredit Falun Gong practitioners when we know many are still incarcerated, oppressed, and even face the threat of organ harvesting in China? At the very least, this Times article is in poor taste.

In truth, Shen Yun and its affiliated institutions represent a triumph of the human spirit. In the face of unspeakable persecution, Falun Gong practitioners have responded not with violence, but with creativity and resilience. They founded an elite performing arts company that not only showcases the beauty of traditional Chinese culture but also highlights the ongoing struggle for human rights. This is a story that should be celebrated, not maligned.

Sincerely,
Alvis Whitted III
Camp and Athletic Director, Northern Academy of the Arts

This article originally appearead on the Shen Yun Community website. Read it here.