Mao’s destruction of China
Adriana Lemus Mrs Schwartzman 12/11/14 Per. 8/9
Jiang Ji-li is the teachers favorite, together they are exploiting the kids who aren’t able to study because they are working class.
Favoritism
Our beloved Chairman Mao encourages us to join the revolution. Help destroy the four olds and begin the New China.
Old ideas Old habits Old customs Old culture
Ji-Li Jiang I am beautiful and smart, I wonder if this cultural revolution will come to an end, I hear the sound of drums and gongs, I see people being humiliated every day by the Red Guards, I am beautiful and smart. I pretend being a Red Guard training to be in the Liberation army, I feel my heartbeat falling behind when I’m humiliated in front of everyone, I touch my precious red book and think what it would be like to be born into a red family, I worry that someday I will lose my family forever, I cry when they make me choose between my family and Chairman Mao, I am beautiful and smart. I understand that I can still become an educable child, I say that I will someday overcome my fear of being a brave leader, I dream of someday being judged for who I really am and not because of my landlord grandfather. I try to be strong and help my family, I hope someday it will all change and my life will be normal again, I am beautiful and smart.
No More Brain Washing
Xi-Reng It was April 19, 1966 and I had just arrived home from the theater. I saw Ji-yun sitting in the dining table along with Song Po-po and Grandma, Ji-yong running around the house, but Ji-li, she seemed different today. She had a smile that ran across her face from ear to ear. She ran towards me and my wife, Ying- Chen and told us about the new program she wanted to audition for in school. No! She wanted to be a liberation army dancer. Why?” ‘Why Ji-li?” “ What if.. What if they find out…”, all these thoughts invaded my mind. Finally I heard, “Dad, Dad!” Ji-li was holding my hand. Ying- Chen and i looked at each other worriedly. Ji-li didnt understand. April 20,1966, Ji-li went back to school. When she got home she told us everything that had happened that day. She seemed worried. They were choosing who was permanently allowed to participate in the audition, Ji-li of course was chosen. They were asked to provide their family status. Ji-li had no idea what her family status was, until a kid shouted , Ji-li’s grandfather was a landlord and her dad was a rightist. When I found out about this I got really worried. I took my three kids for a walk and finally told them the truth. I told them their grandfather was a landlord JI- yong and Ji- yun seemed a little confused. But Ji-li wasn’t happy anymore she was now worried that her life would change forever. This was the last thing I wanted. I don’t want my kids to be unhappy. It was June 7, 1967 the cultural revolution was getting worse. I don’t understand how this is good for China. I wasn’t even sure if Chairman Mao controlled what the Red Guards did anymore. The sound of drums and gongs, the sound of drums and gongs, the sound of drums and gongs. Oh, no that was the only sound I heard these days. I heard the sound getting closer and closer, closer each day. Not here please not here. So many of our neighbors’ houses had been searched. Oh please not us. Mrs. Rong’s house had been searched already, many of her things were taken. They even posted a dazibao about her. No more searches please, not us, not us. It was February 28, 1968. This had been the worse day of my whole entire life. I had been detained in the theater, for a crime I didn’t even commit. What else? Uncle Fan had been beaten up already for the same crime. What was even the big deal about this crime. I was accused of listening to foreign radio. The only thing I could think about was my kids, my wife, my mom. Mostly the kids. What are they going to think and what are they going to say. I’m sure they will understand that I didn’t really commit this crime. It was now May 24, 1968. I have been detained for all of these months and I dont think I am even close to getting freed. I heard about an article. It was called Half city Jiangs. I can’t believe this. Things are just getting worse for my family. I wished I could be with them right now. I hope things get better and I can’t wait for the moment when I will be abe to see my family again.
About the Author I am 12 years old. I was born in El Salvador in 2002. I currently study at Gulliver Academy in Miami, FL. I like to spend my free time dancing. Red Scarf Girl is a book that I would recommend for young kids like me. I learned how things were in that time and how they have changed. The book was very interesting and it helped me realize how hard some people’s lives are compared to mine. This changed my way of looking at different cultures.