Episode 38 - Growing up in China during the Cultural Revolution with Jenny Li
PODCAST SHOW NOTES
FOREWORD
Today’s podcast episode marks the first episode for Asian/Pacific American (AAPI) Heritage Month (link to learn more). Given the political climate in the US right now, and that this is the month to celebrate both Evonne and my heritage, we wanted to dedicate this entire month to celebrate inspirational Asian women’s stories.
We are kicking off the first episode with none other than my [Yan’s] mom. Like many kids I grew up stuck in my own head, caring only for myself, and have never truly asked my mom to tell me her childhood stories. Sure I know of some things she has mentioned here and there, but never the story in its entirety.
That’s why I am sooooo honored to finally have my mom on the podcast. It took me months to convince her, but I know it’s hard on her to dredge up all of those traumatizing memories. I am thankful to finally have heard her childhood story, and have a whole new appreciation for the truly inspiration, strong, compassionate, graceful, and generous women she is. If I can be half as strong as her, can make half of the sacrifices she has made for her family, I would be very proud of myself.
Thank you mom for coming on! I love you so much!
If you have any questions for my mom, please contact us.
We focused on Jenny’s personal story of growing up in China during this episode. It’s been some time since we have read our history books so to help us and our listeners understand the historical significance of the events mentioned, we create a list of “stuff to know”.
Stuff to Know #1: The Great Leap Forward (1958-1962)
After the Communist party won the civil war, Chairman Mao Zedong (毛泽东) led the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and launched “The Great Leap Forward” in 1958. The Great Leap Forward was intended to create productive agricultural communes, where work and wages were collectively organized and equalized. However, due to the rush in implementation, the collective farms were inefficient and could not provide enough food for the population. The resulting famine and economic depression lead to millions dying from starvation, poor labor conditions, and suicide. While the actual number of deaths is uncertain, various articles claim between 15 to 55 million deaths occurred during this tragic period.
STUFF TO KNOW #2: The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976)
The Great Leap Forward had failed and Chairman Mao Zedong wanted to reclaim his power. In August 1966, he closed all schools, cancelled exams and influenced the youth to remove the “Four Olds” to help the country move forward. The Four Olds were defined as (1) Old Customs, (2) Old Culture, (3) Old Habits, and (4) Old Ideas. Hearing this call for revolution, the youth organized themselves as The Red Guards. They proceeded to destroy historical sites, articles, and books. They attacked and killed the elderly, scholars, teachers, political leaders, and anyone who did not agree with their ideology. Quotations of Chairman Mao Tse-tung (毛主席语录), or internationally known as The Little Red Book was published in January 1964 and widely distributed throughout the nation to encourage supporters. The Red Guards grew out of control - the chaos and violence eventually led to the dispatch of the People’s Liberation Army to prevent anarchy. To dismantle the Red Guards and restore order, Mao relocated 17 million youths from their homes to the countryside 1968. He believed that they needed “re-education” and the rural workers and farmers should be teaching them how to live and work. This movement is known as the “Down to the Countryside Movement” and these youths have been referred to as “sent-down youths” and “the lost generation”.
In the remaining years of the Cultural Revolution (1972-1976), political, government and economic stability wavered. Mao tried to balance the power between himself, Premier Zhou Enlai, Deng Ziaoping, and the Gang of Four to maintain momentum for his beliefs. He lost the battle with his health and died in 1976, marking the end of the Cultural Revolution and leading to Deng Ziaoping’s transformation of China.
Listened to the full podcast episode and still have more questions or want more? Contact us!
Resources
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Commune". Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Oct. 2007, https://www.britannica.com/topic/commune-Chinese-agriculture. Accessed 9 May 2021.
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Great Leap Forward". Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Feb. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/event/Great-Leap-Forward. Accessed 8 May 2021.
Dartmouth. “Down to the Countryside Movement”. Dartmouth College Library, https://www.dartmouth.edu/library/digital/collections/manuscripts/rusticated-youth/index.html. Accessed 9 May 2021.
Durdin, Tillman. “China Transformed by Eliminating the ‘Four Olds’”. The New York Times, 19 May 1971, https://www.nytimes.com/1971/05/19/archives/china-transformed-by-elimination-of-four-olds.html. Accessed 9 May 2021.
History.com, Editors. “China: Timeline”. HISTORY, 22 Mar. 2019, https://www.history.com/topics/china/china-timeline. Accessed 9 May 2021.
History.com, Editors. “Culture Revolution”. HISTORY, 3 Apr. 2020, https://www.history.com/topics/china/cultural-revolution. Accessed 9 May 2021.
Lieberthal, Kenneth G.. "Cultural Revolution". Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Mar. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/event/Cultural-Revolution. Accessed 9 May 2021.
Ramzy, Austin. “China’s Cultural Revolution, Explained.” The New York Times, 14 May 2016, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/15/world/asia/china-cultural-revolution-explainer.html. Accessed 9 May 2021.
Books Mentioned in this Episode
Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
Dreams of Joy by Lisa See