Session 3b - 11/21/09 - Dube - China: 1976 to present

[Anonymous]

I wanted to write a bit about the readings related to this lecture. There are a couple that I really enjoyed. First, the story on Chinese Migrants. Clay talked about them and ever since I saw a CBS news piece on the topic a few years ago. But in this reading many things became apparent to me. I didnt realize that it was illegal for a person to move from the countryside to the city without government authorization. And if they did, they would run the risk of losing many government benefits. I was naive enough to think that the government would help them whereever they went. Finally the part about workers not getting compensated for their work is appalling! I assumed all communist/socialist government took care of their people financially. I guess I'm really naive.
And with a better note, I absolutely loved the article on "Yearnings." You guys know me and soap operas. I love them! I love how the entire country was moved and changed by this soap opera. But on a sad note, I hate the fact that politicans took advantage of the situation and tried to politicize it! I would love to see some episodes![Edit by="dtorres on Jan 21, 3:02:20 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

This lecture was particularly riveting. I too enjoyed the discussion on women and how they would deal with a miserable or unfruitful marriage.

In addition to this I also found the discussion of Chiang Kai Shek being on the cover of TIME Magazine more than anyone else AND he and his wife being elected as Man & Wife of the Year very interesting. It's really easy to lose sight of how America (or any dominate country) influences public opinion about foreign events that we ought not be involved in. I understand that problems with the Communist spread, I refer to the U.S. in the present.

I also really wish we could have gone in to more detail about the young lord who captured Chiang Kai Shek and how CKS repay's him by keeping him under house arrest for the rest of his life!

[Anonymous]

Discussion on the Cultural Revolution was very fascinating. I had a very rough idea of what had happened during that time, but now I have a better appreciation for the time period. I loved Mao's quote "Revolution is not a dinner party." I wonder how the Chinese textbooks treat this period of their history, and who are seen as the heroes and who are not?

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