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| In Tiananmen on 10-1-1987 (National Day + -) |
Today marks the 23rd anniversary of what has become known as the Tiananmen Square Crackdown. I remember watching the news, shaking and furious and sobbing that a place That meant friendship and adventure and joy to me would ever after be remembered as a place of repression and massacre.
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| National Day Celebration, we stayed through the Fireworks and had a delightful day |
Maybe I should have known better. I think 23 years later there are probably a lot of young Chinese who barely have heard of the events of those days. Beijing has little regard for long memories and the passing down of stories.
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| My husband and I in our school shirts in our Dorm room |
When my husband and I were students in Beijing, it was filled with friendly, curious, wonderful people who welcomed us and were amazed by out freedoms. When we casually commented about our opinions about our government, both good and bad, they were amazed that we dared to voice the critical opinions. When we joined Chinese students who were also studying to be teachers they couldn't believe we had been allowed to choose, and still chose to teach.
We loved Chinese people but learned also to love the American freedoms that Americans are to quick to the for granted and too willing to allow to fade away.
Yahoo news today had a story about how China tries to control the memories if Tiananmen
(the sky/heavenly peace gate)
and I read it with little surprise
"China still considers the June 4 demonstrations a "counter-revolutionary rebellion" and has refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing or consider compensation for those killed, more than two decades later.
The government attempts to block any public discussion or remembrance of the events by hiding away key dissidents in the run-up to June 4 each year, taking them into custody or placing them under house arrest.
Any mention of the 1989 protests is banned in state media, and the subject is largely taboo in China. Searches on China's popular social media sites for June 4, the number 23 and the word "candle" were blocked on Monday."
When we were in China, some people were willing to talk about the cultural revolution and the total control the Government held. The government made every decision and judged every aspect of life, and caused many a death. It was not an easy thing for them to talk about without looking over their shoulders and blinking back tears.
So we need to realize what we have is rare and right and worth holding on to. People in America need to value our rights and not surrender them. We need to remember those who died for asking for the same rights we take for granted and realize that some things are worth dieting for, but even more, some things are worth LIVING for.
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| My brother has Down's Syndrome and so this boy made me homesick |
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| Barber's and Dentists in the Capitol city in 1987 |
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| School parking lot |
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| waiting in line was not even a concept |
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| math homework |
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| high chool students |
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When you were born, 7 weeks early and tiny and fragile, your big brother immediately decided he would be your caretaker and your friend.
Amazing how soon a premie graduates kindergarten, then 8th grade and now, in an eye blink, is a tall, strong, in charge young man who towers over his mom and makes me glow with pride
