Home Forums Core Seminars East Asia Since 1800, Fall 2019 Session 11 - 11/18, Clay Dube

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  • #42583
    Sara Newman
    Spectator

    Hi Angela, 

    Thank you so much for sharing this article! I found it fascinating to read, and I trust that your students will too. The following passage stood out most to me:

    "And in a society that for centuries held that a woman’s place remained in the home, women now have a major presence in the work force — one of the few positive legacies of China’s repressive Mao era. While the number has been declining, 61 percent of working-age Chinese women participated in the labor force last year — higher still than many countries, including the United States (56 percent) and Germany (55 percent.)"

    It's intersting how dehumanizing government structures can in some ways lead people to focus on a person's ability to work rather than gender stereotypes about them. I wouldn't have thought that so many more Chinese women worked than American women. It could be intersting to do a see-wonder-think chart about gender roles in Asia, America, and Europe to have students explain their assumptions before reading more about the realities for women in these different cultures. 

    #42590
    Robert Docter
    Spectator

    Prof. Dube's use of Time magazine covers helped my understanding of recent Chinese history while also modeling a valuable teaching technique that I wish to emulate with both Chinese history and other topics. The striking contrast between the Nationalist Party/Kai Shek to Mao's cover just a few years later was telling of the shift in China just by projecting two images. It was also interesting to hear about the Time magazine owner's personal interest with China. Similar to the use of political cartoons in a history class, analyzing the covers was beneficial. For example, the September 1963 "Red China" cover. 

    #42614
    Dennis O'Connell
    Spectator

    Session Eleven focused on China.  We looked at post-1949 history and development of the country.  The Nationalists were in competition with the Communists for the hearts of the people.  Both sought to bring a "backward" country into modernity.  The Communists won this struggle on the mainland by being strong in the rural areas, completely surrounding the cities which here held more closely by the Nationalists.  The Nationalists fled to the island of Taiwan in order to continue their form of governance.  

    China (PRC) used various laws to more deeply influence people's lives.  The Marriage Law (May 1, 1950) was followed by the Land Reform Law (June 30, 1950).  The Great Leap Forward from 1957-1959 saw private property abolished and people seen as elements of productive labor.  The Cultural Revolution was symbolically led by the trinity of WPS - Workers, Peasants, and Soldiers.  

    What does the future hold for China?  This is an incredibly important question not only for Chinese citizens but for the world at large.  China is such a large country in terms of land area and population.  It has incredible productive capabilities.  It has "awoken" to take an important position on the world stage.  As teachers, I think it is important for us to get a better understanding of this influential country.  We need to introduce our students to China and get them thinking about what kind of world they want to live in as it relates to this Pacific neighbor.  

    #42630
    Robert Docter
    Spectator

    https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/07/world/asia/hong-kong-protests-us-chamber-commerce.html?searchResultPosition=2

     

    Hong Kong Protest, Largest in Weeks, Stretches Several Miles

    By Javier C. Hernández and Elaine Yu
    Published Dec. 7, 2019

    Chinese news has been especially present in the New York Times in recent months.  Back in November, the times devoted a Sunday cover page plus digital database of leaked Xinjiang papers detailing the persecution of ethnic minorities in the country. Since June, multiple American media outlets have been covering the Hong Kong protests. As I was deciding to pick an article, I chose today’s NYT update on Hong Kong as 800,000 protestors took the streets— a sign that demonstrations continue with no sign of weakening as the protests enter its sixth month. 

    The article provides a simple update, but with signs of no compromises between protestors and the Chinese government. Coinciding with Human Rights Day, a rare approval allowed the mass protest that stayed relatively peaceful despite previous violent and fatal  clashes between police and protestors. 

    The concerning details of the article point to the little signs of any progress despite some recent victories in local elections in favor of democracy advocates, this weekend’s demonstrations showed no signs of letting up. The article exchanged quotes and perspectives from both sides. Both are rigid in standing strong, with little evidence of compromise. Protestors warn of escalating demonstrations including altering transportation tomorrow morning (Monday, 12/8). The Chinese government accuses protestors of public safety concerns in justifying their actions and lack of compromise. 

    Sadly, Hong Kong has now faced a recession due to protests as its affected tourism. According to this article, Chinese protestors may want Hong Kong to continue suffering. The strict policies of Xi Jingping and government don’t want to back down and remain steadfast in their agenda, and possibly to flex their power to the wider world. I commend the protestors and their continued demonstrations despite the little sign of compromise. 

    In meeting standards, bringing this article in the classroom may be a challenge. However, it provides a glimpse into the wider globalized world. The article depicts struggles of American business leaders located in Hong Kong. It provides the struggle between peaceful and violent protests. I see myself using this or similar material as an end of the year lesson as both my world and US history classes end with the modern worlds. 

    #42633
    Cynthia Stults
    Spectator

    Robert, I think you bring up an interesting thought as it relates to "news" and current events. I think that it would be a fantastic teaching tool to use the Time Magazine covers and discuss the owner's feelings (bias) in terms of their leadership. I think it is important that we begin to teach students to analyze not only what is printed in newspaper or magazine articles, but also who owns the publication and how that can change the way they look at and report on current events. I think an excellent discussion topic could be are any news outlets truly unbiased? Students could first analyze the Time Magazine covers and discuss how the owner's feelings about Mao and Kai Shek are projected and why he chose to do that. What was he hoping his readers would think or believe? To follow up with that, students could take articles about the same event from multiple sources and then see if there is a different take, and then research the groups that own those outlets and see if their political leanings are more conservative or progressive. This can help students develop a critical eye to all that they read, hear, and experience. 

    #42644
    Dennis O'Connell
    Spectator

    This excerpt provided a look into the rapid changes that have been occurring in Chinese society.  Globalization affects all of us, but in China this has been accelerated.  As the author notes, "as if everything that happened in America over fifty years were collapsed into a single decade."  From the internet, to home ownership, to car ownership, to moving to big cities for work, the people of China have been affected on a grand scale.  Values, like caring for the elderly, are shifting under everyone's feet.

    The excerpt also gives a unique view into the life of a school girl.  She not only has the pressures of school work and getting ready for high-stakes placement tests, she is also involved in other competitive activities to help her out pace her peers.  Piano lessons, English lessons, and Math Olympics are part of the weekly routine.  She is ranked against her peers in these activities.  Running for political office within her class is also seen as an important thing to pursue.  In contrast to political campaigns in the US where a candidate touts their strengths, these class campaigns involve citing one of your many faults and how you will go about improving yourself.  Votes are sought through self-criticism.  Improving oneself was compared to getting the latest mobile phone.  As one interviewee stated, "If you don't continue to upgrade and recharge, you'll be eliminated."  

    While I might not have my students read this article (they are third graders), we could discuss the differences between the US educational system and the Chinese system.  What pressures are similar?  What pressures are dissimilar?  How is life changing in the United States?  How is it changing in China?  What are the benefits of self-growth in both societies?  

    #42645
    Kurt Hansen
    Spectator

    I wrote earlier about Beijing’s One China idea. I hadn’t yet read President Tsai’s response. I admire how she got right to the point on Taiwan's sovereignty and Democratic values. I also wrote earlier that “Why would a democratic Taiwan want to put themselves in a position to be under China’s power when Hong Kong is struggling to keep its own identity. I’m not a big nationalist, but Taiwan must maintain its Taiwan first policy in order to survive against a superpower like China. President Tsai stressed Taiwan’s work in the area to create stability in the region and her desire to have strong cross strait relations with China. She also reiterates that China pressuring other nations to change their designation of Taiwan or doing military exercises in the strait are not the ways to have a successful relationship between the two countries. Finally she states that she hopes China should “Bravely move toward Democracy” 

    She truly is a  great leader to be as open and honest with China and to stand up for her country's Democratic ideals and her people. China is a huge superpower and truth to that kind of power is not easy.

     
    #42658
    Angela Chong
    Spectator

    The dehumanzing government structures still seem to be more focused on production, than humanity. Like the quote you provided this is a carry over from the Mao era, where productivity was viewed as the highest value. Still, I would have assumed that China didn't have as many women working, simply because that seems to be related more to Westernized feminism. 

    I like the see-woinder-think chart comparing gender roles in different cultures. We discuss this in Ethnic Studies, comparing the home cultures of students in the class. I do a hand raising response to do a quick visual of who lives in a home with women doing ore cooking, men doing more cooking, etc. It's been interesting to see the variance in the classroom, and see students realize how they are similar to others and different. 

     

    #42666
    Dennis O'Connell
    Spectator

    Meyer's account describes the personal effects of the Beijing governmental policies surrounding the $40 billion project to clean up hutong neighborhoods near Tian'anmen Square and other preparations for the Beijing summer Olympic games.  Many who had their businesses razed, received no compensation.  Others, who lived in the area, were offered fifty-five thousand yuan to move.  Unfortunately, they were asked to move to apartments which had not yet been constructed.  It is not easy to pay for a place to live, sight unseen, and then rent another place while you wait for your government promised apartment to be built!  

    The article gives some indications of the difficulties which city planners have when trying to construct new city areas and the unintended consequences.  For example, if you build a more efficient road, the businesses along this road might actually be adversely affected as traffic moves smoothly and no one wants to stop to buy things.  Additionally, Chinese customs and culture require planners to consider feng shui.  Experts must be consulted and their suggestions are usually followed.  

    As I read this excerpt, I was reminded of two other resources I have encountered recently.  Firstly, I read the book by Peter Hessler titled Country Driving.  This book is filled with anecdotes of personal stories surrounding the rapid development of the Chinese economy and cities.  Secondly, I was reminded of a Postcards from Asia podcast about Euro Disney (https://audioboom.com/posts/759839-0003-disney-has-feng-shui).  This podcast shows that business people ignore feng shui at their own cost!  

    #42682
    Katherine Oh
    Spectator

    Dennis, thank you for posting this article. After looking at this article, I started opening a chain of websited revealing more and more about this issue in China. I have never heard of this issue or even the fact that there are so many different people groups in China who feel outcasted, neglected, and do not get the same type of respect or care as citizens in major cities in the east side of China. I also felt like this is so similar to the concentration camps during the Holocaust but the fact that this is still occuring in modern day scares me. Our world has changed and I wish it has changed for the better but the reality is that there are aspects of our history that continues to influence the decisions of certain poltical powers and the impact is huge. Even looking at the Hong Kong Protests and the comments made about them in this forum is proof that the affairs that are happening around the world have the power to stir up more conflicts and ideas that are negative and harmful. It is unfortunate that this is all happening at the same time and there is a lack of mainstream media coverage about these issues, even though there are worlds like genocide being used to describe these events. 

    #42688
    Angela Chong
    Spectator

    It's interesting that in Communist China it's referred to the "People's" when they don't have the power to really choose their leader or government. I know to a certain extent all people are subject to the decisions made by others, but the level of control the government has in China is significant and the propoganda to keep people in line is prevelent. When Clay shared that the head of China was critical of the United States electoral college, stating that the people don't vote directly in the United States like they do in China on the surface it would seem that was the case. While I personally do not agree with the electoral college, the process of choosing who is on the ballot is definitely different in China. The people's options for who they can vote for is not decided by the "people," and voting is a mear formality. 

    I was surprised to learn that such a small percentage of people are members of the "party." Recruitment begins early, in college, and those who are tapped have significant pressure to respond and fulfill their duties. For some reason I was under the impression everyone was a member, perhaps because it's called the "People's" Republic. 

    Due to the history of famines and political instability at times I would assume most Chinese people want to ensure they can provide for themselves and their families. They seem used to the heavy hand of the government, and either believe, or dutifully appear to believe the propoganda their government lays on them heavily. 

    Between this session and what my brother shared with me after his visit to China a few years ago I realized just how vast and diverse the country is. Even though general impressions of any country are not going to be accurate for every person living there, China is even more diverse. From the numerous local languages and different religous and cultural traditions a survey-type course is clearly not enough to develop a deep understanding of all there is to know of China. I'm looking forward to continuing with the upcoming course this Winter to learn more. 

    #42689
    Angela Chong
    Spectator

    Reading this article I can absolutely understand why people are protesting, yet I don't know that it will make any difference in the end. First, this was going to happen eventually, and second there are some who aren't protesting and are just going about their daily lives. Seeing the picture of people heading to work amidst those who are protesting means that everyone isn't standing up. The world has not completely stopped, although I imagine it's difficult to keep things normal when areas are being taken over by the conflict. While I think I know how this will end, with China in complete control, I wonder how long they will allow the protests and unrest to continue. 

    #42690
    Robert Docter
    Spectator

    I wanted to share about use of the primary sources provided in this last session coupled with Prof. Dube's lesson. I found this lesson to be one of easier ones for me to bring directly into my 10th grade world history classroom as it goes into details about 20th century China including Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution - 2 events directly in the California Content Standards for Social Studies. 

    "Red Guards" primary source is organized in a way that makes for a great jigsaw activity for groups of three. Each student is assigned one of the first three readings in the pdf. Students will have to analyze and annotate their reading along with focusing on unifying themes. Themes can include the "4 olds", old vs new China, indoctrination, proletariat vs bourgeoisie and so forth. The first three readings detail primary accounts of those in the red guards. They express their devotion and feelings for involvement. They are accessible to most students, making it a solid resource. As students complete a graphic organizer of some sort with the themes you choose, they can come back together after sharing and read the last account on the Sept 11 massacre, the only one of the readings detailing violence on the red guards themselves. 

    I used this primary source as day's lesson on my unit on the Chinese Cultural Revolution. I also took ideas from Prof. Dube's presentation. I loved his use of Time magazine covers for instance when detailing the progression of events during the post WWII era in China. 

    #42691
    Robert Docter
    Spectator

    I enjoyed the Democracy Wall source that Prof. Dube provided for this session. I previously mentioned a lesson plan idea for the red guards primary source reading. This reading would compliment that source very well as it shows a progression that the students can link the two with different ideas and themes for the time period. It provides the progression of sentiment and struggle from the 70s onwards. This source also stood out to me because I recently had a discussion with an old friend who attends UCSD, where students of the school constructed a similar democracy wall at the university to shed light on the Hong Kong protests, and the vandalizing of the wall after the first day from students who were anti-protests. The university is home to many international students including students from Hong Kong and China. Even college campuses here in the United States are experiencing the present tensions. 

    #42692
    Robert Docter
    Spectator

    Thanks for writing on this excerpt from "Last Days...", Dennis. I felt lots of similar struggles, conversations, and worries from the current waves of gentrification here in Los Angeles and other cities across the US. This is not to undermine the aggression and tremedous struggles occuring in Beijing in preparation for the 2008 Olympics, but the feelings of lost neighborhoods, connections, small family businesses, and affordability made me thing of our city to a degree. This also reminded me of the struggles Brazil's people went through when they transitioned the city heading into the Rio games in 2016: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/03/opinion/sunday/brazils-olympic-catastrophe.html -- Similar scenarios of low compensations and dislocation occured as, "According to a report released in November by an advocacy group that is monitoring the preparations for the Olympics, at least 4,120 families have been kicked out of their homes because of the Games. (The government disputes this number, saying that most of the displaced were moved because they lived in areas prone to flooding and landslides.) “In all cases, evictions occurred without residents’ access to information and without public discussion of the urbanization projects,” the report says. These families were often offered compensation well below their homes’ market value or, if they were lucky, new apartments in neighborhoods as far as 35 miles away". 

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