My book trailer for Living Treasures tells a striking story. But it is censored on all the social media sites in mainland China: Youku, Tudou, and Sina. It is an officially banned book trailer. Have a look, you may see why the gentle story raises fears on the anniversary of Tiananmen Square massacre.
Several readers shared with me their poems about the Tiananmen Square massacre. Here is an eloquent protest by a wonderful poet Jane Shlensky. She was a teacher in China during the student movement.
Tian’an’men 1989
the Square is
a Great Wall
a ship breaking waves
victims’ bodies in drawers
mourned as martyrs
the Goddess
beacon of hope toppled
as Mao at the Gate
stares
a moth heaved dusty wings
to bang against light
loud music
flame’s yellow glare
wings secured
with wooden clips
outcries replaced with
silence, memory shifting
into surrender
the wound sprouting
new leaves
(erasure of Living Treasures by Yang Huang)
Her poem brings back a tide of emotions: crushed hope, despair, and isolation after losing a historical opportunity 26 years ago.
My novel Living Treasures didn’t criticize the Chinese government. Instead I took a more radical political stand by disregarding the impact of their brutal suppression. We can and should move on from the tragedy, by not giving up, by not giving in, by becoming free despite the government’s suppression and censorship. There is a new life after death, for Bao personally, and for grassroots activists who believe in the future.
In the old days, a daring rebellious convict said on his way to the scaffold for decapitation: "I will be a brave man again in 18 years!" He meant: I am a heroic outlaw right now, and I will be a heroic outlaw again in 18 years after my reincarnation. So 26 years later, the heroes and victims fallen on June 4, 1989 have risen again and joined us to walk toward a better future.