Dear readers, this is the first blog I will write. Today, I will write why we think the Chinese Communist Party can be the answer to this country’s issues.
Recently, our country’s situation has been chaotic because Chang Kaishek started ruling China differently. Our leader Mao said that this person began the economic system, which is like the US. It is critical to imitate other country’s systems, and it can bring new problems that cannot fit our society. I am unsure, but we have already had many issues to change. Now, when society cannot be said to be stable, it is the chance to change the basis of our country and tradition. I will pick up one of the most critical issues in our country. As a woman, I think gender issues should be considered more seriously in this society. The most severe example is footbinding. Before, I didn’t care so much about this custom because it lasted since the Manchus introduced to our country. But please rethink about this custom. Isn’t it cruel to bind children’s feet and avoid their growth? As our leader Mao said, this society continues a very “traditional” way of living. I do not have experience with footbinding. But I’ve heard that a girl’s feet are folded over, and her fingers are wrapped around tightly. I have never actually seen this with my eyes, but I have heard that many girls have to have their fingers cut off or become ill. Why only girls should follow this custom? I know that this custom is now decreasing, but there was the reality only women had to be hurt for following Confucian ideals.
Even I, who can now study at university, feel a gender gap in many situations. In the past, we followed the rule of Confucianism, and our family system is a so-called patriarchal society. I respect my father, but sometimes, others look down on women. It is a hierarchical system in our community, but sometimes, it is from gender differences, not talent or ability. This kind of system and ideas are all old. This can regulate the possibility and future of our generation and women. We should change in some way to build a new and progressive world. However, I realized that I began to have this idea because of Mao. I didn’t have expressed this idea because it was new for me and China. I was surprised that Mao reminded me that there have been no leaders in the past who focused on this issue. This issue is more significant in the countryside or other social class people. Now, it is usual that many women are forced to marry men decided by their parents. I believe this is because people respect relationships between family, not the individual will. I want to say that our leader can give us revolutionary ideas that can improve our society and solve many future issues. Compared to Chang, Mao should be the leader of our country, and the communist party can improve our community.
Lastly, I would like to share the book which I recently read. Do you know “A Madman Story”? When I read that for the first time, I was surprised at how chaotic it is. The main character is one man who gets paranoid and thinks everyone around him is trying to eat him. One day; he realizes that they are trying to eat him because of the old tradition of eating humans. I think this idea can be related to today’s situation. Our traditional customs, which allow the gender gap I mentioned above, are “old.” It is time to change this, as the author implied in this book. I liked it, so if you have time, please read it! Thank you for reading my blog, and see you next time.
I disagree with the idea that Confucian customs and cultural norms are the sole causes of gender inequality in society. I believe you are missing the economic reasons for the inequality, Economic inequality and the depression we are currently in. As long as these roadblocks stand I believe progress for the equality of women will be slow and uneven.
I have not heard of the Mao that you speak of, but he has a good point; the foreign ideas that Chiang Kaishek is trying to adopt do not fit our society and cannot appeal to the masses. I agree with you regarding the need for gender and family reform. For so long, we were encouraged by the Confucian texts that a virtuous woman was one with no talents or tact outside of the household. It is good to see another woman in education!
I too have recently read a madman story, and I also found it very interesting and well thought out. It made me realize that these customs that have been accepted as gospel for many years is detrimental not only to women, but to all of Chinese society. The Authors message was not exactly put plainly, but regardless the message is powerful.
I like the view you took on the blog assessment. As a women, you pointed out the problem you see in traditional China. I love the way you pointed out Mao as going against the traditional confucian views. It may have taken people some time to adjust to the new views that people had would spread around the peasant class and would see Mao as the leader of the country.