A BLAST FROM THE PAST By: Ava Frati Mrs. S Period 6
AAA
Landlord Loser!
房東失敗者
Ji-Li is only a landlord, liar, and loser. She denies everything! I heard that she has a nanny who is kept in her basement! And she’s there without any way to communicate with the outside world. And I heard she's a xenophile! Ji-Li and her family of landlords should pack, and move elsewhere! I don’t ever want to be seen a mile distance from them! Another fact that is that, she told everyone that she wants to be a landlord when she grows up! And most importantly, I heard she went to the library and got a copy of Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book and burnt it! And she called herself educable! She is basically part landlord! As Mao-Tse-Dung said "History is a symptom of our disease." Sincerely, Lin-qi
恐懼
FEAR
I I I I I
AM a criminal, although I AM innocent WONDER will they hurt me? HEAR them all around me SEE them come in the cell with a bat WANT to see my family, I WANT to leave I AM a criminal, although I AM innocent
I I I I I
PRETEND I am home, but then I wake FEEL the pure air TOUCH the outside street signs WORRY I will be abandoned CRY when I think about I AM a criminal, although I AM innocent
I I I I
UNDERSTAND I am with death near SAY hopes for my future DREAM for a day to leave HOPE for freedom I AM a criminal, although I AM innocent
BECOME ONE OF
US.
BECOME AN EDUCABLE CHILD AND HELP CHAIRMAN MAO. WE DEPEND ON YOU.
Chen Ying DIary
April 29th, 1966 I am currently with my mother wondering about my kid’ s future. All our money has vanished and we are on our last bit. I've hid my most valuable in case of an unannounced ransacking unexpectedly, I will be prepared. Life has been very difficult now that Jiang Xi-Reng has been taken away. I've failed as a mother and thinking about much, I am being valued for who i am? What it would be like if I were not alive.
February 20th, 1967 Today is the Chinese New Year and it is the year of the goat. Although too much is going on to be having fun and making memories, instead we're making scars. I'm aware that it's Ji-Li's birthday but there are far more important things to think about. Some nights, I lay on my bed thinking when will they take me, what will I do, what will happen, but I never get answers. December 2nd 1968 I wake up, and for a few seconds my brain is empty. I never remember anything but then, ten seconds later, every bad thing comes to you and you never want to leave bed. Well that's not me. I literally can't get out of bed. I'm deeply sick and cannot even stand up.
About the Author I was born on April 22, 2012. I have been writing since I started to put sentences together. Writing has been such an escape to me, because I write what I’m feeling and I am taken away to a whole different place by it. Reading the book Red Scarf Girl by Ji-Li Jiang influenced me incredibly. It inspired me to create my own book styled similar to her’s. The book has made such an impact on me because it has taught me to live in the present. One never knows when life can turn. Reading the book has given me much knowledge from the past, for example it has taught me about Chinese culture, religion and traditions. It’s also taught me about the value of life and even more, every second. You never know when there will be a knock on your door, but until then: Live by the moment, not by the past and live everyday like it’s your last.