Red Scarf Girl

During the cultural revolution, my father-in-law, Gui Pang was an idealistic young teacher and grade school principal. His wife, Shun Jun Pang was also a teacher. My wife resented the fact that her mom would often work after hours and visit students to assist them with their school work instead of spending all of her time with her. The government asked all officials and leaders to give their input in improving all areas of life in China. My father-in-law naively believed them and gave them constructive ideas on improving schools and education. Gui is a soft spoken mild mannered gentleman who was respected and liked by students and their parents. He was soon after arrested and sent to a re-education farm leaving his family without their main breadwinner and without their father. He was lucky he survived. His second oldest daughter, my wife (Chee-Chee) was soon ridiculed in school and harrassed by some fellow students and her life was made miserable. A good student who had been a class leader she was not allowed to go to college and eventually sent to a factory. Because she was asked to publically denounce her father and she refused to. I'm proud of her for this and it shows you the kind of person she is. She has always been more interested in pride and self respect than her own personal goals. Her story is similar to that of Jiang in the book Red Scarf Girl.