Shit youth

fènqīng 粪青

An angry youth smashes a Japanese computer while the onlooking Chinese computer snickers, “You don’t look ugly, you look patriotic!” (Source: Southern Metropolis Daily)

A pejorative homophone for “angry youth” (愤青 fènqīng), young people who are extremely vocal with their nationalism. “Angry youth” are known to whip up anti-Japanese and anti-Western fervor: they founded the website Anti-CNN in response to CNN’s coverage of the 2008 Tibet riots, and frequently catalyze anti-Japanese street protests. “Angry youth” cause the Chinese government considerable anxiety, as they may organize and resist the control of the authorities. The derogatory “shit youth” implies that their fervor is irrational and even dangerous.

On Weibo, one user elucidates the difference between shit youth and other young people:

Maizangluopo (@埋葬落魄): Those who dismiss everything, cry and curse, are shit youths. Those who are discontent with reality, eager to create change, and cry out in anger are angry youths. Only those who move forward step by step are striving youths. Too many people carry the banner of thought and personality in the name of the angry youth, yet act in the manner of shit youths. Let’s use our youth to accomplish something concrete; if we do not strive, what right do we have to “rage?!”

否定一切,谩骂攻击,哭爹骂娘,这是粪青。不满现实,急于改变,愤起而呼,这是愤青。只有一步步踏实走下去了,才是奋青。多少人扛着思想和个性的大旗,以愤青之名,行粪青之事。青春,还是干点儿实事吧。不奋,又有什么资格“愤”?! [Chinese]