Smeared Type

I had heard much about the Unity Temple and the unique building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Susan and her two young daughters immediately took me for a quick tour and pointed out the open design, the two levels where the congregation gathered, and the wooden materials used throughout the building. Then they ushered me to a large room where tables were set up for a potluck dinner and many women had gathered in small groups, chatting. I immediately engaged in a conversation with two women who had finished reading my book.  

“Excuse me,” Susan poked her head into the group with a big smile. “I want to share you with more people,” she said, leading me away.

After a few announcements of the group’s future activities and half an hour of chatting and eating, I talked about my growing up experience in China, particularly about living through the persecution of my parents during the Cultural Revolution. Several women in the audience asked questions and made comments after the talk. One compared the similarity between China’s Cultural Revolution to her family’s experience in Cuba, and another expressed her outrage that a few Americans set up a booth at the Printers Row Book Fair a couple of years before to promote Mao who started the Cultural Revolution. Despite running late, we had long and lively discussion session.

 “I have been to China,” one woman said. “I read your book with interest and want to thank you for giving me a personal perspective. I’m very touched by the strength demonstrated by your family,” she continued, her voice filled with emotion. “I’m so happy to see you are doing well now.”

Another woman asked how each of my siblings were doing and where they were now.

Throughout the evening, I found several people in the audience had been to China or had Chinese friends. One woman had a Chinese daughter-in-law and asked me to sign the book for her in Chinese. “My daughter-in-law would love it,” she beamed at the hand-written characters in Chinese.

Once again, I’m delighted and humbled by the interest and response I received.

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

I arrived at St. Ignatius College Prep School early in the morning on Wednesday, March 4. I took the day off from work and prepared to talk to three groups of students: 350 freshmen, 20+ students in Mr. Daniels’ history class, and 150 seniors who have studied comparative government. Karen Lurie, a friend and part-time faculty at the school, was already waiting for me when I got there. She took me directly to the auditorium to set up the computer. I had put some visual images together—from mulberry tree, a China map, family photos, to photographs of persecution during the Cultural Revolution. I wanted to help the students relate to the topics I planned to address.

I was impressed how quiet and fast the students settled in their seats. At exactly 8:10 AM, after the students checked in their attendance, Karen started my session by giving the students an introduction on me and my book. With a “Zhao Cheng Hao,” “Good morning,” I launched into a brief history of recent China, with an emphasis on the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). I also read an excerpt from my book—my criticizing my father at a school-wide “struggle meeting” when I was a first grader. I could feel the attention from the students, and at times when I lifted my eyes from the book to look at the audience, I saw the interest and engagement from their expression. As soon as I opened the session for questions, a number of hands were up in air, both from the ground and upper levels. “Why didn’t those who were persecuted try to leave?” “Did the Red Guards get punished?” “How do people think of Mao in China today?”… As I addressed their questions, the image of me at their age emerged in my mind. How much more sophisticated and learned these students were, I thought!

In the smaller class, I appreciated Mr. Daniels having his students gave me a brief introduction of themselves. I was impressed to hear they came from all over the city: the south side, the west, and the north. Some event from the suburbs. Their background was a mixture of diversity as well, from Asian, African-American to Latino origins. I enjoyed talking with them in a small setting, and once again, was impressed by their openness, maturity, and eagerness to learn.

During a break, Karen showed me around the school, including a tour to the spacious, high-ceilinged library. All faculties I met, including Dr. Karl, the principal, were full of hospitality and enthusiasm. I was amazed by the size of the school and the beautiful structure of the buildings. 

The last talk to the seniors went by so fast that I didn’t even finish addressing all the topics I intended to talk about. I regretted for not keeping an eye on time. Karen mentioned a tentative plan of having me back sometime in May. I’m looking forward to it.

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

I always enjoyed talking to young students about China and my book Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. Their eagerness for the stories from a different culture, their questions about my growing up experiences and their responses to the resilience and strength of my family members surviving the Cultural Revolution always bring back vivid memories of my childhood.

My talk to 150 students at St. Thomas School in Fairfield, CT yesterday was no exception. Even though only 2 students among the group have been to China, everyone raised their hands enthusiastically when they responded to my question if they watched the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on television. I told them that China today is a very different from the China presented in my book. But it is important to remember the past, so that we can prevent the tragedies from happening in the future. What’s more, the resilience and strength that enabled my family to survive the Cultural Revolution are still relevant today in overcome the hurdles we encounter in our daily life.

I read a section of my story when I was requested to criticize my father as a first grader. I told them the impact it had on me. I could feel the intensity of their attention as I unrevealed the details. As soon as I was done relating the story, many hands raised in the audience:

“How long did your family live in the mud house?”

“What happened to your sisters and brother?”

“Why is the book titled Mulberry Child?”

I wish I had more time to address each of their questions. I was reluctant to end the section as so many students still had their hands up. I told them to reach me via e-mail and promised I’d respond to each of them. As an author, I always feel the deepest gratitude when I realize my story can touch the hearts of others and give them inspiration to deal with the challenges in their lives.

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