This book review was written by Eugene Kernes
“My professors didn’t have us read great treatises on
political philosophy. They didn’t
challenge us to think. We were graded on
how clearly we regurgitated Communist platitudes, how willingly we wanted to
serve as gears in a big machine. It was
forbidden to question whether or not the machine really worked, to wonder why
it had been constructed, or who it was built to serve. Thinkers were not welcome. Parrots earned high marks. Our lessons focused entirely on
Marxist/Leninist theories, and how Mao had used these theories to change China
for the better. A widely debatable
notion at best.” – Baiqiao Tang, Part Two: Student, Page 60
“As part of my course in Ideological
Education for Criminals, I was taught the government’s labor reform policy,
which the cadres made a frequent mantra.
“Reform first! Production
second!” A blatant falsification. At Longxi, as in so many other Chinese
prisons, production always came first, second, and all the time. No one cared about reform. In the end, it all boiled down to prisoners
being used as slave labor to maximize government profits.” – Baiqiao Tang, Part
5: Counterrevolutionary, Page 181
“There are two Chinas. I have known them both. One is the global superpower whose rich ancient culture and generous people have already made their influence known in the world of the twenty-first century. The other China is whispered about: a brutal, corrupt autocratic regime whose long list of human rights offenses soils her dignity, brings about shame. To me, this is not enlightened. I have fought to raise my people’s hope and fought to raise their consciousness. There is still a long way to fight.” – Baiqiao Tang, Epilogue, Pages 304-305
Is This An Overview?
There are two Chinas.
One whose culture and generous people have influenced the world, and
another that is an oppressive regime that violates human rights and punishes
thinking. One China promotes wanted
values, while another China hides the consequences of the government’s
decisions. While equality is the
declared virtue, there is drastic inequality.
Those who work for the government, the Chinese Communist Party, are
rewarded with a quality livelihood, everyone else is shunned and suffers. There is a lack of methods for people to
express their disapproval and change the situation.
In an effort to improve the conditions of China, Baiqiao
Tang took to political activism, using peaceful methods. Became a recognized student activist. Baiqiao Tang was influenced by Hu
Yaobang. Hu Yaobang was someone the
people recognized as wanting to help the people. Hu Yaobang wanted democracy, transparency,
open society, a culture of freedom. Hu
Yaobang would eventually lose the favor of the government. Hu Yaobang’s death was trivialized by the
government, but the people wanted to honor Hu Yaobang. Students represented the Chinese people,
entered Tiananmen Square to mourn Hu Yaobang.
A peaceful demonstration that ended with the government using violence,
which included shooting protestors.
After the events of Tiananmen Square, the government went
after student leaders. As a student
leader, Baiqiao Tang was forced to flee, to become a fugitive. Eventually was captured, and spent to
prison. A prison system that tortures
the prisoners. A political system that
turns people into prisoners to use them for forced labor. Prisoners are a cheap labor force given the
lack of medical care, and provisions.
Prison labor is a source of profits for the state.
What Lead To Tiananmen Square?
After Mao Zedong’s death, Deng Xiaoping gained power. Hu Yaobang was Deng Xiaoping’s ally. Deng Xiaoping and Hu Yaobang were critical of
Mao Zedong, and gained popularity by encouraging people to vent their
outrage. Although Deng Xiaoping enabled
China to become more international and provide local representation, Deng
Xiaoping’s regime was as ruthless and cruel as that of Mao Zedong. After Deng Xiaoping stopped criticizing Mao
Zedong, people recognized Hu Yaobang as the reformer who wanted the change to
favor the people.
After Baiqiao Tang, students gathered at Tiananmen
Square. Hu Yaobang was a catalyst, but
the event was for the people. Although
Tiananmen Square was a peaceful movement, the People’s Liberation Army was
asked to uphold martial law. The
protestors overwhelmed the army with kindness.
Another brigade was sent, which opened fire on unarmed people. A peaceful movement that the government
reciprocated with violence. The carnage
would be described by the government as a riot.
Caveats?
While parts of the book are historic events for which there
are various corroborating claims, the book is primarily based on a single
perspective. There are accounts of
conversations and other minute personal details which would be difficult to
remember clearly, but this does not affect the quality of the sentiments
shared.
