Block+B+Journal+Kathy+Lee

2/19
 * Please take a couple of minutes to respond to the reading. What stood out for you? What do you think of it, is it exaggerated?**

In the reading, I was dumbfounded to see how the oppressing of women started. I always thought that the Confucian laws were the ultimate cause, but it wasn't the law; it was more of the positive 'idea' about the "importance of men" that went to the extreme. It was amazing to see how it seems like it wasn't the mens fault, and that it was just the basic Confucian manner of respecting men that lead to the oppressing; it seemed very exaggerated. The author talks as if the oppressing of women are getting worse and worse, but I think that women are being more and more accepted as time passes. Nowadays, women have jobs and are slowly entering the society outside of their houses.

2/23
 * If Rabbit is too smart for his own good, Owl is the Brain, and Piglet... Pooh?**

The Rabbit is very smart--or rather too smart. The Owl is also intelligent, but he is more of a Confucianist. Piglet and Pooh are both curious about the world around them. They ask questions out of curiosity, and are open to many ideas. However, the difference is that Piglet rely on the decisions of others unlike Pooh. Pooh symbolizes Taoism because of his curiosity as well as his simplicity. With his seemingly-simple questions that seems useless, we find a new point of view towards nature and the universe. Just like how the uncarved block is--it just "is" itself.

2/26
 * The Tao says that the ruler should "rule by inaction" How do you make sense of this? Is it at all possible?**

It does not necessarily mean that we should be lazy and not do anything, but it means that we don't have to be proactive; we just let everything happen in its own way. We do not have to use force upon it. It is just like how T'ai Chi works: you do not use force upon your opponent, but reflect the opponent's energy back. You are following the rules of nature, and letting nature happen as it should. Rulers shouldn't be greedy and make cunning plans of how to conquer other nations or how to control all his people's at once. If you let nature do what it's supposed to do, everything will be settled and the results will be fine. It is when the people have desires, trouble follows. However, this is not all possible. Looking at our society, or even some of the empires that existed in the past, the Taoist ideals cannot be applied. All societies need some sort of force to control the people and maintain peace. Not all people are good(whether it is naturally, or by influence), so we could not trust them and leave everything to the rule of nature to decide.

3/11
 * Explain right mindfulness and right concentration. Do you see how you could apply this to your daily life? Why or why not?**

We can follow right mindfulness by focusing and being mindful on the tiniest details of our experiences. We should be mindful of everything we do. In order to perform right concentration, we should not be absorbed in absentmindedness. Right now, our minds are focused on all sorts other things, but right concentration highlights that we should be captivated only in nowness, in things as they are. And this can only be achieved by having some sort of discipline, such as sitting meditation. I personally think that both of these two elements of the Eightfold Path cannot be easily applied to our daily life because they cannot be done when we have so much jobs to do such as studying, making money, applying for jobs, and fighting to survive. We have so much other things to focus on other than sitting and meditating. We have so much distraction around us. Nonetheless, it does not mean we know every detail in our lives. Since we are so confused and pushed with busy schedules. However, it would be a great help if we could live with right mindfulness, because we would

4/1
 * In describing Japanese development, a British Professor in 1873 declared that he felt 400 years old by the end of the century. Explain the historical context behind this quote.**

The reason why the British Professor felt as if he was 400 years old by the end of the century is probably because of the rapid development and change in Japan. At this time, the Japanese reformers were bringing in the Western cultures and applying them to Japan. Thus, it brought huge development in Japan. The old man might have been exaggerating and saying that Japan's quick development in a couple of years was parallel to the amount of development that would usually be accomplished in 400 years. I agree with the professor's point.

4/10
 * What do you find most shocking about what you have read so far? How do you make sense of such cruelty?**

What I found most shocking about the Rape of Nanking was the fact that the Japanese later raped and killed normal citizens for not much reason. As Matsui Iwane said, "I offer my sympathy, with deep emotion, to a million innocent people" (51) So many people died either because they looked like a soldier, did not listen to Japanese instructions, or during a game. The Japanese soldiers even had games where they raced to see who killed more people. These men where plain cruel; they were devils. However, the interesting fact is that not all of these Japanese soldiers started out this way. When they first enter the military in China, they are scared of killing. However, gradually, in less than three months, they turn evil just like the others. I cannot make much sense of such cruelty; I think this can never be justified. I am mad at the fact that the victims that survived are suffering their remaining lives, and yet, most of the evil soldiers who caused these sufferings are living a peaceful life being protected by the Japanese government.

4/28
 * Do you think it was safer to be a communist or anti-communist during the Korean War?**

I think it was safer to be an anti-communist(South Korean) during the war because looking at the casualties of the war, more North Koreans were killed compared to the South. This proves that the South was a safer place to be in. Also, the South Koreans had the West on their side. I think it would be more beneficial during and after the war to be on the side of anti-communists. If I were to survive the war, I would not want to live in a communist nation.

4/30
 * Do countries have an obligation(duty; commitment) to compensate(pay back) each other for injustices done in time of war?**

I believe that countries have an obligation to pay back each other for injustices done in the time of war. To be more specific, I think they should weigh their injustices. For example, if we were to weigh the injustices of Japan and Korea, we know that Japan gave much more damage to Korea. They(Japan) were the cause for the damage; it is their fault, so they must pay back. They should fill up the damages they made.

5/7 The US had to consider that the Chinese would have no option but to resist if the Americans continued to provoke them. Also the fact that China sent troops from Manchuria to aid North Korea. The reason for the Yalu River March is unclear; the Americans would have to make a decision whether to enter the war or not by looking at the movements of China.
 * What did he US have to consider in regards to China and the Yalu River?**

China had an obligation to enter the war and help North Korea because of the sacrifices of so many Koreans in the Chinese revolution and the anti-Japanese resistance.
 * According to the reading, what was the reason China entered the war?**

Within few days they "... badly bloodied American forces" and made them involved, the UN troops were severely injured at the front lines, and ROK was in chaos.
 * What effect did Chinese intervention have on the US, ROK, and UN troops?**

5/8
 * Explain the meaning of "Shattered Faith" how does it relate to the story?**

Lee, the narrator of the story, always kept strong faith towards God. She was a devoted Christian as well as her husband. She tried her best not to lose her faith during the terrible times of war and to believe in God no matter what. Hongyong believed that not losing faith was the way to survive through the devastating war times. However, in the last chapters of Still Life with Rice, she finally loses faith and becomes hopeless because of her oldest son. She lost contact with him during the war and later, after the war ends, she learns that he survived and is living in North Korea with a wife and children. Shattered Faith dramatically portrays the mental state of Hongyong when she lost contact with her son. What I found significant was how much she loved and cared her son. When her situation was worse, such as being imprisoned, she still did not lose faith. Once she even gave up agi; nonetheless, just because she lost contact with her son, she is heartbroken.

5/26
 * Explain what the main ideas of the last few paragraphs are; evaluate Biao's reasons for the revolution. Does his argument sense? Is it reasonable?**

Lin Biao is basically aware of the fact that there are counterrevolutionaries of the Cultural Revolution. They are the people who hope to be "restored to rule" and Lin Biao argues that they must attack first, or the counterrevolutionaries will attack them.

He also says that they must not fear chaos. Instead, they must "put daring and not fear above everything else". If they do not, they will commit great political errors. He concludes by saying that the Chinese should all follow Mao Zedong's thoughts and ideas and "rectify" themselves: "... and thus enable the entire Party under the banner of Mao Zedong Thought to unite even better and further" (71).

Lin Biao says that the Cultural Revolution is needed in order for the social consciousness to catch up to the economic changes being made. He says that if the social morals and behaviors cannot catch up, they will be going backwards(in other words, cannot develop). His argument does make a good point, and it also follows Mao's thoughts. It is true, in my opinion as well, that a society must develop by looking back at and fixing their old traditional morals and social behaviors. However, I do not agree that the Cultural Revolution was necessary for this change to occur. There are other ways that the nation's social consciousness could potentially catch up to the economic changes. The Cultural Revolution is a too wide-scale revolution; although Lin Biao's argument may be partially correct, it could not be the complete reason for the revolution. It is not reasonable enough.

6/2 //DOCUMENT ONE// __Who__: Bei Guan Cheng __When__: 1966 __Significance and summary__: The narrator saw Mao and he was so excited and proud of seeing him. He decided to make that day his birthday. This shows how people are significantly devoted to Mao. However, later he is mistakenly labeled as a counter-revolutionary and beaten up. Thus, he commits suicide. This shows how much power the Red Guards have had. It took only a simple labeling over a personal dispute to make him an outcast. __Purpose__: This portrays the importance of Mao to the people
 * Reactions to Mao**

//DOCUMENT TWO// __Who__: Wan Rong Fen __When__: 1966 __Significance and summary__: He sent a letter to Mao criticizing Mao about his Red Army. This showed that not all people in China were devoted to Mao. Some people were actually against the Cultural Revolution. __Purpose__: Inform Mao that not all of the people believed in him and that some people actually went against him.

__Who__: Anonymous __When__: 1966 __Significance and summary__: Emphasize the nationalist ideas Many people became Red Army so the army became powerful. There were a lot of movements and propaganda. Many students were involved in this movement. People were brainwashed to follow authority. (ex) They change the restaurant and street names into a more nationalistic name. To shops that were counter-revolutionary, Dazibaos were pasted on to the windows and defamed. __Purpose__: To inform the current situation of the Red army dominating China. Also to inform the people's point of view of Mao. (Which is a father-like figure).
 * Changes during the summer of 1966**

__Who__: Red Guards(Middle schoolers) __When__: Beginning of the Cultural Revolution __Significance and summary:__ (ex) Destroy old ideology. Justified rebels. Everyone needs to carry a Little Red Book. They must constantly look at the book and also have a printed picture of Mao. All the newspaper articles must relate to Mao (Mao Thoughts). There must be no discrimination between different jobs and statuses. It must have been very radical. It goes against everything that goes in the way and shows extreme faith towards Mao. These were written by middle schoolers so it shows how even young people were impacted. __Purpose__: To explain what people need to do to carry out revolutions.
 * Red Guards smash the Four Olds**

__Purpose, and summary:__ - To launch the communist ideals - Change the manipulated society: education, literature, art - Criticize the old habits and traditional values - They used posters and propaganda - Mao's will was to bring the workers, peasants, soldiers all together __Significance:__ The Chinese government is able to successfully manipulate the whole society. It demonstrates the cult of personality.
 * 16 Points**

//What kind of conclusions can you draw about the cultural revolution?// Counter-revolutionaries were publicly humiliated by holding Daozibaos that denounced themselves. We can draw the conclusion that the Red Guards were strict to the Chinese citizens in order to make them follow Mao and prevent the counter-revolutionaries from expanding. They might have been labeled as counter-revolutionary because they criticized Mao or were intellectuals (teachers and professors). Also, religion was being destroyed. All the monasteries were ransacked. Buddha statues were being defaced. This is an example of destroying the Four Olds.
 * Responding to Images**

//Which of these demonstrate "smashing the four olds"?// The image destroying the Buddha and Confucius statues.

6/4 //(pages 82-84)//
 * Questions on Reflections on the Cultural Revolution**

//1) When was this document written and by whom?// This document was written by the CCP during 1981 (which is 5 years after the Cultural Revolution ended).

//2) According to the document, who was largely to blame for the excesses and mistakes of the Cultural Revolution?// The document mentions that Lin Biao, Jiang Qing, and others who were placed in an important position by Mao Zedong tried to gain power by committing crimes behind Mao's back. This ultimately created the chaotic stage and "disaster to the country and the people" (82). This portrays how Mao Zedong well used the cult of personality to escape from being blamed; after all, Mao was the one who started the Cultural Revolution.

//3) What errors does the CCP believe Mao was responsible for?// The CCP believed that Mao was responsible for carrying out the Cultural Revolution. Mao said that the bourgeoisie and counterrevolution revisionists were sneaking into the Party, trying to take over China. He said that the only way to stop this was to create a cultural revolution and bring in the Marxist ideals. Also, he ended up denouncing Marxist principles. His theses did not coincide with Marxism either. He is also responsible for putting Lin Biao, Jiang Qing, and the other members of the Gang of Four in a high position. They were the ones that brought disaster to the country, as it is mentioned in the text. They attempted to seize power by using Mao Zedong's errors as an advantage.

//4) Who seems most responsible according to the document? How does this play into the memory of Mao as a leader and his Cult of Personality?// According to the document, it seems like the Gang of Four is responsible for most of the Cultural Revolution. This portrays the fact that Mao Zedong, through the Cult of Personality, successfully escape from being blamed. The Party perceived him in a positive light. Despite the fact that Mao was the one who said that the Cultural Revolution should be made in the first place, he is not thought of as being responsible for it.

//5) What does the CCP believe the consequences of the Cultural Revolution are? (4 of them) each person in your group read one, and explain it to others.// First, the CCP believed that the first consequence was the negation of many "correct principles, policies, and achievements" made before. The revolution basically tear down everything that was 'right' set up by the socialists as well as the Central Committee, People's Government, and even Mao's own contributions. Second, The CCP thought the second consequence of the Cultural Revolution was the confusion created between 'right and wrong' which ultimately led to the confusion between the people and the enemy. The capitalist "roaders" lead cadres of the Party and government organizations at all levels: they were the core cause of socialist cause. Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping did not exist and Lin Biao and Jiang Qing was thought of as a "hidden traitor". Third, the CCP believed that the Cultural Revolution was conducted due to the relyment on the masses. The organizations of parties were attacked, rejected, and paralyzed by many of the basic masses in which the party relied on. Fourth, the revolution brought more disorder, damaged, and "retrogression". Despite all this, the people's politiacal power, military, and China itself did not change. As a result, if the Cultural Revolution did not happen in the first place, China might have developed more.

//6) Why do you think the document mentions achievements made by China during the Cultural Revolution?// China, during the Cultural Revolution, successfully crushed the counterrevolutionaries in the end. The fact that these achievements were on the document portrays the nationalism and pride of the Chinese towards their nation.

//7) Describe the tone at the end of the document. Why do you think it ends this way?// The document ends with a positive and optimistic tone: it ends with a list of China's accomplishments and achievements. It ends with a positive light towards the Cultural Revolution. I think it did so because the CCP wanted to portray their pride and nationalistic feelings towards China: "Once again history has proved that our people are a great people and that our Party and the socialist system have enormous vitality".