The Revolutionary Socialist Network, Workers
Communism reconstitutes class structure measured in different metrics, this is a paradox
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Communism reconstitutes class structure measured in different metrics, this is a paradox.Lin 96, (林伟然, lin weiran was a PHD candidate at U of Wisconsin during his time of writing, this was his PHD thesis. 08/19/2022, “An Abortive Chinese Enlightenment - the cultural revolution and class theory, University of Wisconsin, Madison press, "Lin, Weiran" : Catalog Search (2) - UW-Madison Libraries (wisc.edu))” - EM What made "Origin Theory" so influential? In retrospect, Yu's article was a breakthrough on two crucial points. First, "Origin Theory" fully extended the condemnation of political injustice in the early stages of the Cultural Revolution to the condemnation of social inequality before the Cultural Revolution. Second, "Origin Theory" shattered an official myth by pointing out that before the Cultural Revolution it was not the people of "good” origins who were discriminated against, but rather it was those with "bad" family backgrounds who were subjected to the most discrimination. "The problem of family origins is a serious social problem of long standing," begins the article. It then pointed that it was the youth of black origins, not those of red origins who were subjected to discrimination before and during the Cultural Revolution due to the wrong class policy: Because of the influence of a reactionary line which is "left" in form but right in essence, they (youth of black origins) have often been unable to enjoy equal political treatment, particularly those youths from the so-called "seven black" origins, those "sons of bitches" who have already become objects of dictatorship. They are seen as "criminals" by birth. Under the influence of this line, family origins are used to decide nearly everything. Youths whose origins are not good are one cut below everybody, even to the point of being deprived of their rights to repudiate their families, to defend the Party center and Chairman Mao and to join the Red Guards. At this time, there are many innocent youths who are dying premature deaths, drowning in the deep waves of the "only origin theory." [That is, it overemphasizes family origin] In the face of this kind of serious problem, anyone who cares about the nation's fate cannot but confront and investigate the issue. Those view points which appear dispassionate and universally flexible are really callous and hypocritical. We must use the methods of unmasking and criticism to protect Chairman Mao's revolutionary line.451 However, at the beginning of the Cultural Revolution it was often argued that people of red origins were subjected to discrimination. "Origin Theory" directly confronted this artificial myth. It recalled: Remember the first stage of this movement. The problem of victimization was raised by some trendy individuals. . . Everybody was saying that they'd suffered at the hands of the revisionist clique. The revisionist clique was so reactionary that one could hardly count as a revolutionary if one had not only not been victimized but on the contrary had received favors from them. Thus even Tan Lifu said he'd been victimized. Economic victimization? During the period of hardship, he feasted on Dutch condensed milk. Political victimization? With a mind as reactionary as his, he still got into the Party. 452 The plain fact on the matter was, "Origin Theory" reminded its readers, If we think back to the period when the revisionist clique was in power, when university student enrollment was completed each year, the former Ministry of Higher Education always used to make a public announcement: Download 2.09 Mb. Share with your friends:
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