Mulberry Child

Jian Ping was born in China in 1960 amidst a devastating famine caused by Mao Zedong's Great Leap Forward. This period marked one of the most tragic times in Chinese history, with tens of millions perishing due to starvation, setting the backdrop for her early life.

As a tiny, premature infant, Jian was often sick and seen as unwanted by her already overburdened mother. This situation led her to be cared for by her grandmother, Nainai, whose nurturing presence was crucial for her survival during these harsh early years.

Jian's parents were fervently devoted to the Communist Party, prioritizing duty to Mao over familial ties. Her father, having survived torture during World War II, ultimately rose to become the Deputy Governor of Baicheng, representing the conflicting notions of loyalty and family loyalty.

As societal chaos escalated under Mao's regime, Jian's family faced severe repercussions. Her father was arrested and publicly humiliated, his reputation destroyed as he was labeled a 'Big Traitor,' demonstrating the pervasive atmosphere of fear and suspicion during the Cultural Revolution.

Jian's mother, a school administrator, was also detained, forced to write self-recriminations while enduring pressure from the Red Guards to denounce her husband. Her refusal to submit to their demands exemplified her strength and determination to protect her family.

With escalating danger, Jian and her family faced brutal consequences. Her older siblings were sent away for re-education in the countryside, while Jian and her grandmother were exiled to a primitive mud hut, where they endured harsh living conditions.

At just eight years old, Jian made perilous trips to visit her father in prison. These moments were fraught with danger, as she navigated through hostility and violence directed her way, shaping her understanding of resilience and composure in the face of adversity.

The Cultural Revolution finally concluded in 1976 with the death of Mao Zedong. This significant event marked a turning point in China’s history and began to shift the narrative, allowing Jian to eventually seek education and a better life.

Following the turmoil of her childhood, Jian pursued education, earning an undergraduate degree in English. Her quest for knowledge propelled her to immigrate to the United States, where she achieved two master's degrees, illustrating her determination to build a new life.

After settling in America, Jian married and had a daughter named Lisa. However, despite her efforts to provide a stable middle-class life, she began to sense a growing disconnection between herself and Lisa, highlighting the complexities of immigrant family dynamics.

Driven by a need to reconcile her past and connect with her daughter's heritage, Jian embarked on an eight-year journey to write her memoir, 'Mulberry Child.' This work became a critical medium for revealing her experiences under Mao and bridging the gap between generations.

In a poignant family visit, Jian and Lisa returned to China during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This trip was not just a return to their roots but also a pivotal moment for Lisa, prompting her to begin reading her mother's manuscript and reconsider her understanding of their family history.

As Lisa engaged with Jian's memoir, her perspective of her mother began to change. Through tracing their family's history, she started to embrace her Chinese heritage, marking a significant emotional connection between mother and daughter that had been previously strained.