Cultural revolution program by

Observations and Impressions

of CHINA’S

CULTURAL REVOLUTION

By Tom Sutton, August 2011

A Note from the Author

These observations and impressions are from my trip to China during late July, 2011. Primarily, I relied on information given by tour guides, the inferences I made, and artifacts that I saw. I can only assume that tour guides are cautious in their talk and did witness a mild rebuke of one. As illuminating as it might have been to talk to an “Average Wei” on the street, I did not get that opportunity. Most of those I encountered, cabbies, clerks, restaurant workers, struggle with basic English. (Though their basic English is a lot better than my basic Chinese!)

Some commentary is more specific to Chairman Mao, as it is somewhat impossible to separate him from the Cultural Revolution.

Chairman Mao Portrait at Tianamen SquareThis portrait overlooks the Square as if to say, “I am still watching you.” Or, it could be, “I am still watching over you.” Either way, long lines form to pay respects to Mao’s mummified body. This could be a sign of admiration or curiosity.

Chairman Mao Statues at Market

Mao Playing Cards at Museum Store

Mao Print at Art Museum

Dinner at a HuotangThis is at a huotang in Beijing. This is a regular tourist stop, though it is presented as just visiting a private residence. Cynically, I think the portrait of Mao was just a prop.

Painting at Museum in Xi’anThe next few slides are part of a collection showing happy productive people. These works were created by artists sent to the country to teach peasants to paint during the Cultural Revolution. If the museum curators were ashamed, would they display these works?

Notice Mao’s ‘Little Red Book’ and the smiling faces.

“We have the Marxist-Leninist weapon of criticism and self-criticism. We can get rid of a bad style and keep the good.”

Report to the Second Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (March 5, 1949), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 374.

Celebrating the Party at Tianamen Square

Arnie, Xi’an City Guide Arnie was probably the most valuable resource as to discerning any lingering feeling towards the Cultural Revolution and Chairman Mao. Arnie told how this period directly affected his family. His parents were in the Red Guard and reported his grandfather to the authorites. The grandfather was removed from his job as a city engineer and forced to clean toilets for two years. It was difficult to tell exactly what emotion Arnie was feeling, but it was either embarassment or guilt. Arnie also told of how the farmers that uncovered the Terra Cotta Warriors in 1974 were punished. Apparently, it was thought that they had uncovered a Buddha. The government does not condone any type of religion.

Not actually Arnie

Daniel, Tour GuideDaniel had very little to say about China’s politics and past. He made reference to the founding of “‘New’ China in March of 1949” several times during the tour.

During the Tianamen Square visit, Daniel did say that he felt that 70% of what Chairman Mao did was good and 30% bad. He was not specific as to what he felt was good or bad.

It was while Arnie was talking about the Red Guard that Daniel subtly cued him to change subjects. I am not sure if he was looking out for Arnie or disagreed with what he was saying.

Jasmine, Shanghai City GuideDuring dinner, Jasmine referenced the Cultural Revolution with regard to how it affected her parents. They were of school age during this period and, therefore, had no opportunity to advance their education. She did not reveal any negative feelings on the part of her parents. She indicated that they accepted it all and they ‘just live their lives.’

Not actually Jasmine

A Final Note from the Author From my limited exposure to and contact with the Chinese people, it is really quite impossible to determine how they feel about the Cultural Revolution and Chairman Mao. In the group tour setting, I felt that the tour guides were told to what depth they could discuss politics and the past.

My gut feeling is that unless the Cultural Revolution had a direct effect on a Chinese person like Arnie, he or she could easily dismiss it and just worry about ‘living their lives.’ I think this might be a combination of life and work is hard in China and the topic not being addressed in school.

Lastly, I think the overall feelings for Chairman Mao were positive. He is looked upon as the father of ‘New China’ and accepted as not a perfect person.

Additional ResourcesWEBSITES

http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/riley/787/China/Cultural/Cultural.htmlhttp://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/graph/9wenge.htmhttp://www.cnd.org/cr/english/http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/cultrev.htm

BOOKSBorn Red: A Chronicle of the Cultural Revolution, Yuan Gao,1987, Stanford University PressRed Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution, Ji-Li Jiang,1997, Harper Collins