When after read Jeffery Wasserstrom’s book I had several questions to ask.
1. In the book the author mentioned about the Democratic Wall. However, when I was in China, none of my history class talked about it. I’ve also asked some of my peer, they also don’t know about this wall. My question is why what happened on earth about the Democracy Wall? Why the Chinese government is trying to forget this history?
2. This book mainly talks about the contempory history of China. It mentions a lot sensitive issues such as Taiwan problem, Tibet problem, etc. My question is how the author overcomes his bias to describe Chinese history? For example, when talks about the Korea War, the author said according to Mao, the war was “victory” for China. However, from his words, it can be felt that he didn’t agree with this opinion.
I think it is very normal that there are lots of bias statments or thoughts exsited in Chinese history because different people have different ideas when facing the same events. In fact everything is relative and has two side. The biggest reason that the “Korean War” is the victory for China in Mao’s position because it helps China to win a international status and effect. A sturdy international environment is very important for a counrty. This War is also affect the relationship between China and United Stated. This victory can help China to stablize the situation and condition of polictics, economics, military and a series of social problem. According to Chairman Mao in China, China is a new founding country, the victory in Korea War is a foothold in the world which is a new and good start for him and China. Howver, the bias and truth are always sensitive for history. The anthor does not think that the Korea War is a victory for China because it is a stoping by the agreement of two countries which is China and America in honouralbe. In this war, the negotiation is the most important elment to arrage prosoner of War. After negotiation, there is no lost to US and also it is benefit for China.
Nan- Great questions, and I think your second one is applicable beyond Wasserstrom’s book as the notion of “bias” extends into the kind of work we are going to be doing with ChinaVine. That is, how might we all overcome/look past our immediate responses and biases when “interpreting” the history, cultural heritage, or even contemporary practices of those around us? And then, furthermore, how do we write, edit video, arrange photos in such a way that we accurately and ethically represent what we encounter? As we move into some of the readings that are more focused on cultural research and analysis, keep your questions in mind!