OPINION | Mark Lu | Portfolio

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OP-EDS, ESSAYS, PAPERS

OPINION & COMMENTARY

Articles dealing with history, foreign policy, national politics, sociology, and economics. Includes published journal articles, magazine essays, column pieces, and class papers.

Extreme Income Inequality is Hiding the Second Great Recession

Published March 7, 2025. The financial landscape is flashing warning signs as the Buffett Indicator—a key measure of stock market valuation—hovers around 200%, signaling extreme overvaluation. At the same time, hiring has slowed to a near standstill, raising concerns about a stagnating labor market. Rising tariffs are fueling speculation about stagflation. All of this unfolds against the backdrop of a post-pandemic monetary environment, where years of aggressive stimulus and shifting fiscal policies have left markets teetering. Today's metrics signal a sinister reality, that a bloated stock market is hiding a second Great Recession.

The Red Priests of Power, Part 2: Xinjiang’s Uyghurs, Ideological Purity, and Ethnoreligious Erasure

Published Aug. 24, 2020 in The American Agora. The Chinese government is perpetrating severe human rights violations against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, actions that can be likened to the oppressive tactics depicted in Orwell's "1984". Under Xi Jinping, the CCP enforces rigid ideological conformity, suppresses dissent, and erases Uyghur cultural and religious identity. This is evidenced by the mass detention of Uyghurs in "re-education camps" where they are subjected to political indoctrination, the destruction of Uyghur cultural sites, and the implementation of invasive surveillance and control measures. Despite growing international awareness, China's economic and diplomatic power has shielded it from effective scrutiny and accountability. Consequently, the international community must recognize and address the urgent and ongoing human rights crisis in Xinjiang.

From Flourishing Industrial Slavocracy to Restrictive Tenancy and Re-Enslavement: The Southern Labor Force Before and After the Civil War

Published in Inquiries Journal, Vol. 13, №05 in 2021. Evidence suggests that contrary to some scholarly assertions, slavery in the American South was not declining but thriving on the eve of the Civil War. The Southern economy was deeply entrenched in slavery, with a significant portion of Southern aristocrats' capital tied to the ownership of enslaved Black people. After the Civil War, economic repression of Black people continued through restrictive tenancy and sharecropping systems, limiting their upward mobility. The gains of Reconstruction were undermined by local and state authorities in the former Confederacy, leading to the re-enslavement of hundreds of thousands of freed slaves through the exploitation of the 13th Amendment.

Disability Studies and the Sapir-Whorf Theory

Personal Essay published Feb. 26, 2018. The perception of disability is heavily influenced by cultural and social constructs, akin to how language shapes thought as described by the Sapir-Whorf theory. Disability Studies explores how societal views, particularly the medical model, can "spoil" an individual's identity by focusing solely on impairment and neglecting the broader cultural and experiential aspects of their lives. This is illustrated through personal narrative and cultural comparison, highlighting the shift from a medical model, which views disability as a problem needing to be fixed, to a social model, which recognizes societal barriers as the disabling factor. By understanding disability through a "new language"—one that acknowledges diverse perspectives and experiences—society can move towards a more inclusive and less stigmatizing framework.

The Red Priests of Power, Part 1: Hong Kong in the Greater Power Conflict

Published Jan. 1, 2020 in The American Agora. The Hong Kong protests represent a complex interplay of geopolitical tensions, internal identity conflicts, and economic interests. China's authoritarian government, fearing the appeal of Western-style freedom, seeks to tighten its control over Hong Kong, as evidenced by its harsh response to dissent and the imposition of policies that undermine Hong Kong's autonomy. However, the protesters' movement is complicated by elements of nativism and economic interests that muddy its pro-democracy image. While there is a legitimate fight for freedom of expression and against state oppression, the involvement of external actors like the U.S.-funded National Endowment for Democracy and the presence of economic incentives for the Hong Kong elite raise questions about the movement's true nature and goals. Ultimately, the struggle in Hong Kong is a pivotal moment in the broader global conflict between authoritarianism and democracy, exposing weaknesses in China's system and reflecting the challenges faced by Western democracies in an era of rising authoritarian influence

The Philippine-American War: When America romanticized mass murder and torture on behalf of Wall Street

Published in The American Agora, Nov. 8, 2019. The United States' involvement in the late 19th-century European colonial expansion into Asia reveals a pattern of romanticizing mass murder and torture in the pursuit of economic interests, specifically those of Wall Street. This is exemplified by the Philippine-American War, a conflict marked by brutal tactics and widespread atrocities committed by American forces, which were often justified under the guise of civilizing the Filipino people. The narrative of Manifest Destiny and the drive to secure access to South Asian markets drove the U.S. to abandon its principles and engage in violent colonial practices, reflecting a willingness to sacrifice moral values for economic gain.

Elon Musk isn't innovative; he's delusional

Published Oct. 15, 2017. Elon Musk is not the innovative genius he is often portrayed to be; instead, he is a delusional figure whose grandiose technological dreams are unsustainable. While his companies, such as Tesla, receive praise and media attention, there are underlying issues that suggest his ventures may be built on shaky foundations. For instance, Tesla's attempt to secure funding through high-risk junk bonds to finance the development of the Model 3 car raises concerns about the company's financial stability. Despite Musk's assurances, skepticism from ratings agencies like Moody's indicates that his ambitious promises may not align with reality.

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