"When I was in China, Mao was Chairman, and parents were terrified to tell their children anything that differed from the party line in case the children repeated it and endangered the whole family"
- Jung Chang
About this Quote
This quote by Jung Chang paints a brilliant photo of life in China during the rule of Mao Zedong. It highlights the overbearing environment of worry and fear that existed in the nation, where individuals hesitated to express their real opinions in case they were penalized for it. The quote likewise speaks to the power of the Chinese Communist Party, which had the capability to control the thoughts and beliefs of its people. It was a time when parents were so scared of the consequences of speaking out against the party that they were unable to even inform their own children the truth. This quote functions as a pointer of the power of authoritarian programs and the significance of liberty of speech.
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