Tag: Oral Session 4 M

From Massacre to Genocide: Redefining the Sook Ching

Presenter(s): Lauralei Singsank

Faculty Mentor(s): Tuong Vu

Oral Session 4 M

Sook Ching is a Chinese term meaning “purge through cleansing.” Operation Sook Ching took place in Singapore from February 21 to March 4, 1942. The Sook Ching was a military operation carried out by the Japanese with the intent of executing anti-Japanese Chinese men between the ages of 18 and 50. Ultimately, it is impossible to know exactly how many people were killed; the Japanese official figure is 5,000, while unofficial estimates reach as high as 50,000. These men were called into screening centers, where it was decided if they were anti-Japanese.These determinations have been said to be extremely disorganized. The legacy of the Sook Ching lives on to today as one of the greatest tragedies in Singaporean history.
The intent of this paper is to argue for a redefinition of the Sook Ching as a genocide rather than a massacre. The United Nations’ definitions and qualifications of genocide, as well as contemporary sources discussing the event, act as the cornerstones of the research. This research is important because it sets a precedent of accountability, as well as acknowledging the wrongs that the Japanese committed during the second World War. This presentation will discuss the Sook Ching, its legacy, and the steps required to address the incident and right the wrongs that occurred. It will also examine the racial and political environment that set the stage for the tragedy, as well as the scars it left behind.

The Crisis of Ableism in China

Presenter(s): Di Li

Oral Session 4 M

How does disabled life differ in other countries? Disabled people who are living in China are unfortunately not supported by the government, communities or organizations. Even in daily life, they are facing social discrimination, poor accessibility and public inconveniences. The majority of disabled people in China are unemployed and have an average annual income of just 655 USD. They are not considered part of society and simple things like access to a handicap bathroom or equal educational opportunities are unfortunately not always enforced. Ableism is when you discriminate against people with physical or mental handicaps and show a preference for able bodied individuals. In this poster, I will evaluate the current situation of ableism in China. As an educator, I want to actively change my students’ perception about disabled individuals. I believe educating people on the realities of living with disabilities can positively affect and change the current situation. For example, in China the disabled are referred to as “残废”. “残” means disabled, “废” means rubbish or garbage. I will address this hurtful terminology and also other ways educators should challenge ableism concepts and teach their students to embrace diversity. Society should not be evaluated by its wealth, but instead how it treats its citizens. Sympathy cannot change the fundamental concepts of ableism. True change is needed to create a healthier environment for disabled individuals to improve their daily life and sense of independence.

Visualizing the Politics of Family: The Role of Propaganda Posters in China’s One-Child Policy

Presenter(s): Zoe Haakenstad

Faculty Mentor(s): Julianne Newton & Nicole Dahmen

Oral Session 4 M

The dawn of 2016 saw the end to what is considered by many scholars as one of the longest- lasting and harshest population policies in the world. From 1979 1o 2016, China enforced the one-child policy (OCP), which limited the number of children couples were able to conceive. The policy, which was popularized through a variety of propaganda campaigns throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s, had far-reaching effects, some of which continue to ripple through China today. This research looks at the effects of propaganda posters on the dissemination of China’s population control ideas, particularly through the lens of visual persuasion theory. I analyze three propaganda posters from the mid-70s, provided by the University of Oregon Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. I utilize semiology and discourse analysis to identify specific persuasive elements of the posters, such as color, spatial layout, representation of people, and language. Together, these qualities better illustrate both the intensity and the persuasive value of the OCP propaganda. I ask the following questions of my research: What is the role of propaganda posters in suggesting certain ideologies about China’s OCP? How does scholarship on visual persuasion and propaganda inform the functions of China’s OCP propaganda posters? What commonalities and differences did I notice among the three posters I viewed? Rather than take a stance on the ethicality of China’s OCP, this research looks at the relationship between visual persuasion, population policy, and the ideas made noticeable through propaganda posters. As a child born under the OCP, this research is also important to better understand the historical contexts during which my biological parents conceived and relinquished me as a baby. The decisions made by many parents under the OCP were inextricably tied to larger economic, social, and political projects that failed to consider the long-term effects the policy would have on not only on Chinese society but also the world. Thus, this research centers the function of visual persuasion and propaganda to expand on one of the mechanisms that made such an impactful policy achievable.

Belt and Road Initiative: The Sino-Samoa Pact

Presenter(s): Ana Garibay Mares

Faculty Mentor(s): Yvonne Braun & Yizhao Yang

Oral Session 4 M

The Independent State of Samoa faces intersecting environmental, economic, and social vulnerabilities as a small island nation. Regionally, the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an infrastructure and tourism-oriented project proposed to increase Samoa’s development. My research examines these development plans with a focus on local sustainability. I employ the three pillars of sustainability in my analytical framework, including innovative social enterprise projects for generating money, maximizing mutual benefits, reducing Samoa’s need for loans, while also staying aligned with the traditional way of life – the fa’asamoa. As such, I spent three months in Samoa investigating whether the BRI can maximize sustainable development through the hybridization of the Chinese State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) system and the “social enterprise” business model. I conducted field research using purposive sampling methods whereby I identified key informants, such as traditional, private sector, and governmental community leaders. I conducted semi-structured interviews for participants to share their suggestions and stake regarding BRI engagement, as it pertains to their respective sector. I focus particularly on the intricate social enterprise model executed by the Poutasi Development Trust (PDT). Data collected suggest the PDT offers indigenous communities the platform to directly benefit from the BRI by using funds gathered from the seasonal workers program to establish family businesses, exporting goods to niche communities along the BRI, and enhancing the range of goods and services offered by the tourism sector. Its operations also work to promote environmentalism and preventative health outcomes, while reducing Samoa’s dependence on remittances, including international assistance loans.