NPR's Book of the Day
In 'Sparks,' Ian Johnson highlights China's 'grassroots historians'
Oct 31, 2023
Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Ian Johnson discusses China's grassroots historians who challenge the Communist Party's control over history. He explores the advancements in technology that have empowered journalists, filmmakers, and artists to correct China's collective memory. The podcast also highlights the importance of personal relationships and international interactions for grassroots historians, as well as the existence of individuals challenging the notion of no free thought in China.
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Quick takeaways
- Digital technologies have empowered journalists, filmmakers, and artists in China to challenge the official historical narrative and correct the country's collective memory.
- China's underground historians, driven by values of justice and righteousness, persistently challenge the Communist Party's monopoly on history and seek justice for the victims of the past.
Deep dives
China's Underground Historians: A Grassroots Movement
Ian Johnson's new book, Sparks, documents China's underground historians who are working to preserve real stories about labor camps, famine, and desperation. This movement has been going on for almost 75 years, with individuals challenging the Communist Party's monopoly on history even before the party came into power. Despite the tightening control and crackdowns under Xi Jinping, there are still people striving to create a more just and humane China by confronting the problems of the past. This movement, though not massive, has gained momentum due to person-to-person relationships and the effective use of digital technologies like email, PDFs, and digital cameras.
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