My grandmother grew up in a rural area in Northern China and moved to the city when she was 26. Her birth accompanied with the end of first Chinese chairman Zedong Mao and the beginning of modern China. Her views of the world was heavily influenced by communism and conservatism of the time and had a quiet different impression of the western world.
My interview with my grandmother was taken place on skype. After some family talk, I claimed my intention. She was pretty surprised since I was the one studying in America but then she started talking about her opinion of America.
“How did people back then think about the western world, specifically America?”I asked.
“When I was born, the reign of chairman Mao just ended and Xiaoping Deng started his new policy. That was the first time when China started forming a diplomatic relationship with America. You know, back then, we were always informed by the government that only communism could lead the country to success. We imagined that with 1 billion population we could win America in war easily and thought Americans were suffering under the rule of capitalism. I remember once in elementary school, there was an old man walking on the street in a wool suit. That was the first time I saw someone wearing suit and I laughed at his dressing style. Later I learned that he had studied in America before and thought that all Americans dress in a funny way.”
We both laughed at this story and I was amazed by how ignorance in the old China could influence people so much.
She continued on her story: “Later chairman Deng began to visit America and we began to see the true America from television. On the Manhattan’s street, people were driving cars that only high Chinese officials could own and tall buildings stood up to the sky. Even regular families could own refrigerators and washing machines, which were extremely rare in old China. After Deng’s visit, more American products were introduced to China and our views about western countries changed dramatically.”
I found this drastic change in attitude very interesting and asked her: “ So people’s view of America began to change because of news on television?”
She smiled and answered: “Mostly I believe. By that time people gradually walked out from the Cultural Revolution and no longer held grudge against western countries. We recognized the better quality of American lifestyle and rumors about America spread quickly. In my memory, America provided the finest welfare in the world and everyone who lived there did not concern about life. Everyone could satisfy their stomach and watched television show in a cozy house. That is why I supported your aunt when she decided to immigrate to America. Look at her now, she is living such a happy life.”
I felt her impression of America has not changed much after all these years and tried to wrap up the interview with my last question; “Then how do you think about America now? I know you wants to travel there in several years. What do you want to do when you go to America?”
She smiled relievingly and answered: “At my age I don’t want to do much when I travel there. I just want to go to my daughter’s house and see my granddaughter. She already is living a such happy life. I can see that from the pictures she sent me. Even though everyone nowadays says that China is growing stronger, there are still so many people starving in the rural area. We should really learn more about the welfare system in America.”
My interview with my grandmother was taken place on skype. After some family talk, I claimed my intention. She was pretty surprised since I was the one studying in America but then she started talking about her opinion of America.
“How did people back then think about the western world, specifically America?”I asked.
“When I was born, the reign of chairman Mao just ended and Xiaoping Deng started his new policy. That was the first time when China started forming a diplomatic relationship with America. You know, back then, we were always informed by the government that only communism could lead the country to success. We imagined that with 1 billion population we could win America in war easily and thought Americans were suffering under the rule of capitalism. I remember once in elementary school, there was an old man walking on the street in a wool suit. That was the first time I saw someone wearing suit and I laughed at his dressing style. Later I learned that he had studied in America before and thought that all Americans dress in a funny way.”
We both laughed at this story and I was amazed by how ignorance in the old China could influence people so much.
She continued on her story: “Later chairman Deng began to visit America and we began to see the true America from television. On the Manhattan’s street, people were driving cars that only high Chinese officials could own and tall buildings stood up to the sky. Even regular families could own refrigerators and washing machines, which were extremely rare in old China. After Deng’s visit, more American products were introduced to China and our views about western countries changed dramatically.”
I found this drastic change in attitude very interesting and asked her: “ So people’s view of America began to change because of news on television?”
She smiled and answered: “Mostly I believe. By that time people gradually walked out from the Cultural Revolution and no longer held grudge against western countries. We recognized the better quality of American lifestyle and rumors about America spread quickly. In my memory, America provided the finest welfare in the world and everyone who lived there did not concern about life. Everyone could satisfy their stomach and watched television show in a cozy house. That is why I supported your aunt when she decided to immigrate to America. Look at her now, she is living such a happy life.”
I felt her impression of America has not changed much after all these years and tried to wrap up the interview with my last question; “Then how do you think about America now? I know you wants to travel there in several years. What do you want to do when you go to America?”
She smiled relievingly and answered: “At my age I don’t want to do much when I travel there. I just want to go to my daughter’s house and see my granddaughter. She already is living a such happy life. I can see that from the pictures she sent me. Even though everyone nowadays says that China is growing stronger, there are still so many people starving in the rural area. We should really learn more about the welfare system in America.”