Mulberry Child 2012

Jian Ping was born in 1960 in China, amidst a devastating famine resulting from the economic turmoil brought on by Mao Zedong’s Great Leap Forward. In this challenging period, tens of millions faced starvation, just prior to the onset of Mao’s severe and oppressive Cultural Revolution, which lasted from 1966 to 1976. The climate of fear intensified as Mao encouraged the youth to rebel, leading to rampant chaos where individuals faced persecution, humiliation, and violence from those empowered to act with impunity.

Jian was a premature and frail child, often neglected by her overwhelmed mother, who had three other children to care for. Consequently, she was raised by her grandmother, Nainai, who played a pivotal role in her survival during those harsh times. Despite the presence of care, expressions of affection were chastised under the Communist regime, making love feel unspoken and elusive.

Her parents were staunch supporters of the Party, with her mother prioritizing her allegiance to Mao above the welfare of her children. Jian’s father, having endured torture during his youth at the hands of Japanese forces, was later vindicated but became a dedicated Party member. He eventually rose to the position of Deputy Governor of Baicheng, showing resilience amid tragedy.

As societal tensions peaked, neighbors turned against one another, fostering an atmosphere rife with mistrust. Jian’s father was arrested without warning, becoming a victim of political machinations and branded a ‘Big Traitor.’ Meanwhile, her mother, also caught in the oppressive grip of the state, was coerced into writing self-incriminating statements. Demonstrating remarkable strength, she resisted demands from the Red Guards to renounce her husband and refused to let her children grow up without their father.

The situation worsened as Jian’s older siblings were sent away for “re-education” in rural areas, and she, along with Nainai, found themselves displaced in a remote and crude dwelling that offered little protection against the brutal cold. The oppressive years stretched on until 1976 when the Cultural Revolution finally subsided with Mao’s death. As an eight-year-old, Jian vividly recalls dodging insults and stones as she made her way to visit her father in prison. This instilled in her a belief in maintaining composure, hiding any fragility from those who might exploit it while trying not to burden her loved ones with her pain.

With time, as China began to heal and evolve, Jian returned to education, eventually obtaining an undergraduate degree in English before immigrating to the United States. There, she pursued and achieved two master’s degrees. Jian’s journey continued as she married and became a mother to her daughter, Lisa, who joined her in the U.S. when she was five years old. In her pursuit to establish a middle-class existence for her family, Jian felt an ironic sense of disconnection growing between her and Lisa. This prompted Jian to embark on an eight-year journey writing her memoir, Mulberry Child, a heartfelt project born out of her desire to unveil her history and share her Chinese lineage with Lisa. However, she encountered disappointment when Lisa expressed little interest in her mother’s story.

The landscape shifted when Jian Ping and Lisa returned to China for a poignant family reunion during the impactful 2008 Beijing Olympics. It was during this trip that Lisa agreed to read her mother’s manuscript. As she delved into the narrative of their family’s history, Lisa began to recognize her mother in a new light, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of her own heritage.