Smeared Type

I had lunch with Professor Ling Arenson before talking to her history class at 1:30 PM yesterday. I filled her in on the content of my presentation, and she informed me that her students had covered the contemporary history of China all the way to the 1990s. I agreed to focus my talk on my personal experiences of growing up during China’s Cultural Revolution and conducting a two-way discussion with the students.

I was impressed that nearly all of the 40 students in her class were seated by the time we got to the classroom. I started my talk after a brief introduction by Professor Arenson. I liked the classroom setting—small enough for me to observe closely the students’ reaction and engagement. The focus and attention they demonstrated encouraged me to move on, spontaneously expanding the details of events. I didn’t realize an hour had passed until Professor Arenson reminded me of the time. I was shocked and embarrassed—I had been carried away in my talk and hadn’t even opened the floor for discussion! Only half an hour left for the class. I quickly wrapped up the talk, but delayed the discussion for another ten minutes—I wanted to read a brief excerpt from the book to give the students an example of a real life experience during the chaotic time.

When so many students raised their hands to ask questions, I regretted not having managed my appearance in a different manner—I should have invited them joined me in a discussion format to start with! One after another, I addressed their questions in record speed. Their questions were well-thought and in-depth. There were still many hands raised in the air when 3 o’clock struck. Another class was scheduled to start right away. As I signed a few copies of Mulberry Child for students, Professor Arenson helped put my papers away and disconnect the flash drive that contained the visuals of my presentation. We rushed out of the room as a professor for the next class started writing on the board.

I told Professor Arenson how impressed I was by the students—their interest in China, their engagement in class and their questions. “I’ll sit among them and have the entire session for discussion next year when you teach China history again!” I promised.

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. www.mulberrychild.com