Thank you for your second presentation, Professor Dube. I found the first half of your presentation especially interesting in your discussion of the significance of colors in Chinese culture. As an English teacher, we teach students that in literature certain colors have connotations attached to them i.e. red- passion and green- new life. However, these color interpretations are ones that are derived from European culture and are not necessarily translatable to readings by authors that are not American or European. I think it is important to let students know that while there are a majority of readings where these interpretations will be applicable, they need to pay attention to what the author's background is, the title of the piece, and the setting of the reading/writing piece before they begin to analyze. 

I will say that some colors do not always translate from the mother or father land. Any funeral I have attended on my mother's side of the family, which is Japanese American, we always wear black instead of white. In Japan and even China associate the color white with death for funerals. 

Although Mao was no longer in power, he was used on the currency. I believe that this can be connected to him symbolizing a time of a forced representation of prosperity and peace. He is like a "big brother" who is watching paternally over his people even after death. 

At the end of his presentation, Professor Dube posed an interesting question regarding the resurgence of Mao Zedong's image in modern day China.  He showed images of Chinese currency with the picture of Mao and statues to show the ever present "presence" of the revered leader of the Chinese Cultural Revolution.  It is not hard to see why Mao is so prevalent thorought China today even if China seemingly has shifted from the Mao era policies.  Whether Mao is viewed favorably or negatively, he is a fixed historical figure tied to the Cultural Revolution and as such, has become an integral part of the Chinese culture, history, memory and experience. Not only was he so historically prevalent but remains ingrained within the Chinese consciousness and this is hard to escape.  For some Chinese he represents a strong leader and the ideals of the Cultural Revolution and this nostalgia for the past is inescapable.  This resurgence suggests that despite China's changing economics and emerging openness, the Mao era policy is still alive in China despite the younger genation and critics distancing themselves from him and the failures and repression he represents. And with President Xi Jinping leading the revival of Mao era policies and thought, all of this points to a China that has not moved far away from Mao.  China continues to struggle to come to terms with the Mao legacy, but if the president is fostering this revival, how and when will China break away from the Mao legacy and its continual influence in modern China?

The afternoon with Professor Dube further discussion about soft power- one example being names of cities all over the US including Chino Hills, Ca and Pekin, Illinois. Specifically, the Sports team was Pekin “Chinks” and the dragon was their logo. Shocking! And the fact that President Nixon didn’t want to go near this high school on his visit. Not surprising to me was that the people who spoke out about the previous name were the Chinese Americans who said it was offensive while others said they didn’t care, appalls me.

I really appreciated Professor Dube’s lecture and discussion today in regards to soft power.  It is easy to understand hard power – military might/force, but soft power is another dragon altogether. Previously, though soft power is a new term, when I would think of soft power I would have the image of nobles that had the ear of the king in Tudor England. These nobles were able to influence the king to do their own bidding by influencing and persuading him.  After today's lecture I have a much deeper understanding of how soft power is being used in the world, that it doesn’t use force, but cooperation, attraction and persuasion. 

As always, a great presentation by Professor Dube.

In the Maya world there are five major colors: Red for the East (the sun rises); yellow for the South (heat); black for the West (the sun sets); white for the North (coolness/rain) and green/yellow for the middle/center. There are also colors used for the medieval European coat of arms: blue for royalty; red for warrior/martyr, etc. Also, when students are making paper African masks they are to use these colors. With that said, students color and have a great time, but they also need to explain the colors and how these colors are connected to their family. With a little more research, students can design a CNY lantern and explain the meaning of these colors and perhaps flower decorations from the different seasons.

The afternoon session was great today.  Dr. Dube raised many good questions and presented great facts.  He finished the session by asking the class: "What's going on?"  I have asked myself the same question this week.  Why has Mao reappeared on the currency, on posters, etc. after he was "buried" and steered away from?  Why is the current leader, Xi Jinping, grooming himself to look Mao-like in photos?  Xi Jinping's government imposes censorship, prohibiting websites, shows, movies from the public.  Yet, there seems to be a state of contentment among the general population.  This intrigues me.  

A quote from Xi Jinping during today's presentation stuck with me.  It basically stated that China acknowledges its past and it is okay with it.  China is proud of China and honors its past leaders and what they stood for.  People have a strong nationalistic attitude, they like their leader who looks out for them.  During Mao's time many starved, but they did it for the good of the republic.  What Xi Jinping does today is for the good of the republic and the good of the people. The economy is booming and China is a major world player. This is tremendous progress from the 1950-60's. Nationalism is back in China and the Chinese are embracing it.

Professor Dube's slides featuring the Economist magazine covers with dragons on them got me thinking a lot about Western perceptions of China. My students need to write narrative, informative, and argument texts. I usually teach argument writing in the spring, and one of their final tasks is to write a five-paragraph persuasive essay. I provide them a long list of options with clear pro/con positions. However, very few (if any) of these involve China. Since I also usually teach ancient China in social studies in the spring, I like the idea of frontloading some information about modern China with them (military, economics, soft power, involvement in the developing world, etc.) and then including some pro/con China prompts that could lead to good student argumentative essays. Some of the questions could include: Should all U.S. students be required to learn Chinese in school? Is China helping or hurting the U.S. economy? Should the U.S. government and consumers do more to demand that the Chinese workers who make the products we consume here are given a liveable wage and work in humane conditions? Etc.