My dearest readers,
Is the grass really greener on the other side? Although this cliche can sometimes be true, in the case of mass migration to Yenan it certainly is false. Located in northern central China, Yenan, has become a hotbed for migration from all areas of the country including people from a diverse array of backgrounds. Although the rave and cry that Yenan is a mere utopia, findings show that on the ground realities overshadow any surrounding hype, that label this city, a mere utopia.
- On paper vs. reality. On paper, yes it is true that Yenan sounds terrific. The endpoint from the Long March, as we know, the Communist’s retreat from Nationalist forces. Mao, and others called Yenan to be the birthplace of equality, and fostering of revolutionary ideas. Instead, I suggest those be skeptical of dreaming up Yenan to be a magical haven. In my interview with Ting Ling, a migrant to Yenan, she spoke on this very issue, saying: “The male leaders should talk less of meaningless theories and talk more of actual problems. Theory and practice should not be separated.”
- No room for critique. Essentially, women’s problems there were solved on paper, but the execution of the theories penned on paper, left significant room for problems to develop, with unfortunately no room allowed to criticize. For Ling’s verbalized criticism, she was relieved of her political duties. Ts’ai Ch’ang, a women on the committee of the Women’s Department, who was responsible for punishing her, said that her views were: “outdated, harmful to unity, and unnecessary in Yenan since full equality had already been established.” In fact this was not an isolated occurrence, and spreads beyond Ling’s story. Li Chien-Chen suddenly lost her position as director of the Women’s Department after being a strong advocate for educating people against women’s oppression.
- Your needs will not be prioritized. Tsai Chang, wrote: “Our current slogans for work in the women’s movement are no longer freedom of marriage and equality between men and women, but rather save the children and establish a abundant and flourishing family.” In my interview with writer Kay Ann Johnson, she says: “The narrow Party policy during the Anti-Japanese War showed little concern to directly tackle women’s rights issues.” The communists were more concerned with the threat of Japan’s invasion, and also staying clear and defeating the Nationalist KMT party. Further, Kay explains that: “To justify this policy and defend its narrow focus against its feminist critics, the directive developed the notion that it was not only necessary to the war…but the only way to further women’s own liberation.” Essentially if we put all our energy towards the war effort, and we are successful in that in itself it will pave the way for women’s freedoms. The Communists knew that Yenan was far from a utopia land that fostered equality, but rather a place where theory is placed with greater emphasis than in practice; and the culture reflected the idea that your problems are not OUR problems. – By: No Pah King.
I am not sure what you mean at the end by saying your problems are not our problems? I think Mao was more interested in the collective than individual. Mao worked hard to cultivate and garner support among his ideas, and it is clear from the readings that Yenan was a place for Mao to experiment with his ideas. I agree the more conservative north, and the invasion of Japan, placed practical pressures on the Communists to act pragmatically instead of on their ideals.
I appreciate your emphasis on the mistreatment of women and the lack of respect the issues we face are receiving. The Communists’ had such big ideas for women and their liberation, Mao himself acknowledged the oppression faced exclusively by women, but they are certainly falling short in practice. However, the treatment of women in Yan’an is hardly any worse than it was in traditional China and in the parts of our country still held by the Nationalists. If anything, the new opportunities granted to women seems like the Communists are on the road to improvement.
While I am also critical of the utopia marketing of Yenan, it is not any worse than most of China right now. Sure, the CCP in Yenan has problems delivering on their ideas, but it seems like your personal biases are getting in the way. I would be hesitant to use women’s rights as an example of how horrible the CCP is when most of China is lightyears away from equality. At least the CCP is talking about it.
I feel as though you neglect to take into account the relative circumstances of China as a whole, where these people are coming from. Utopia is further down the line, even impossible, yes, but communist leaders have never claimed to be living, currently, within a perfect society. Tackling issues via experimentation, as well as in a more practical sense repelling foreign invasion, are the priorities of the Yan’an government. Alleviating the worries and maladies that are widespread throughout the entirety of China, while also setting the government up for success by consolidating power and repelling the Japanese, is the focus. What is Chongqing doing to bring about a better life for the peasantry?