Wild Swans – Another Untold Story
The secret untold story of the cultural revolution in China in the 1960s came as just that – a huge surprise to me. I had no awareness of the atrocities of Mao and his youthful army. That’s a little embarrassing. It’s a part of the world of which I am quite unfamiliar.
Jung Chang is another courageous warrior, with an unbelievable ability to tell her story and the stories of her contemporaries and the horrific trauma they experienced during the time of Mao’s revolution. What is it with these men through the ages – one after another after another after another?!
The story of Jung’s family – her father’s experience of torture and death, and her mother’s experience of public torture and humiliation –all of these things witnessed by not just a young daughter, but thousands of young people –taught to attack their teachers– it is yet another story of the capacity of large-scale evil in the world, and the capacity of human beings to find present-day redemption in this life by the even-greater large-scale power of God and God’s realm of love.
I don’t know what to say about this book or Jung’s story. Partly it is because I am yet again stunned and overwhelmed and just not ready to process what I am still absorbing. This on top of Jackie’s story in the drug dens in Hong Kong –it’s emotional overload. I would like to call it compassion-fatigue but compassion by definition includes action, and I haven’t done anything in response to these books that would warrant a claim of compassion fatigue. So I think it’s emotional overload.
Perhaps what I love the most, personally, is not so much the content in this moment, but rather how Jung used her writing as her trauma treatment program, and it worked. How much hope does this give you?! That one can experience at such a young age such unimaginable trauma that equates to a score of 10 on the Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire, and then find a pathway to healing the brain damage caused by the trauma. What do you say about this, Jean and Jake?
The fact that this healing came through writing her story, interestingly and totally off-topic (though it pertains to my dissertation), is exactly what led to the emergence of inner-city hip-hop as an African American art form that is grossly misunderstood by the evangelical suburban Christian community. From NWA to Tupac to Nas to (oddly enough Eminem) to Kendrick Lamar (and the countless less famous emcees)—their devotion to telling the story of their experience of trauma through urban poetry with a beat, often becomes a pathway to healing from the trauma of inner-city life (particularly in the 1990’s). Of course, this healing doesn’t always (or perhaps even often) happen because the fame and fortune confuse the process of healing and lead to further destructive behavior. But Kendrick and Eminem are very interesting examples of dolling out some of the most explicit content and yet, (except for Eminem’s opiate spell a while back) the two of them live upstanding lives as productive citizens in society. Eminem’s daughter, Hallie, who has been a central character in his music for his entire career, just graduated with honors as Valedictorian of her high school. I just find that quite fascinating and counter-intuitive. I can’t speak to the potentially negative influence and misunderstanding of their music to the wider culture of concern, just that the damage caused by trauma can be healed through expression. And millions find their music as healing pathways for their own trauma experiences.
That was a wild detour from Wild Swans. I just know there is much yet to learn, and there are so many untold stories of horrific evil and unimaginable redemption. For some reason, I find myself drawn to places where that intersection is palpable. I can hardly wait for Hong Kong.
About the Author
Chris Pritchett
4 responses to “Wild Swans – Another Untold Story”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Chris,
This is why I think we are exhorted to not judge others. While the outward appearance, language, art may be offensive to some, we must create space for all to express and choose to not be offended. What is often happening (healing trauma, for instance, as you’ve cited) may not be obvious. Like the parable of the wheat and the tares, let it all grow up together, and wait and watch for fruitfulness.
Chris,
Wowza, that was a riveting read! I love the topic you chose. I didn’t want it to end. Thank you for the detour…
For sure, this program has opened my eyes to a larger world! Looking forward to seeing a new culture with you soon.
Thanks Chris. I was talking recently with my daughter at what is art (specifically in music)and what is just profanity. I will admit that i struggle with the line that is not as clear as I want it to be. What do think is the balance between those expressing there struggles and those that know explicit lyrics sell? I appreciate this discussion even if we don’t end up with the same outcomes.
Great post Chris! I guess I need to respond to this statement since I am one of those you called out 🙂 “That one can experience at such a young age such unimaginable trauma that equates to a score of 10 on the Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire, and then find a pathway to healing the brain damage caused by the trauma. What do you say about this, Jean and Jake?” I think this is why people experience healing by coming to therapy and telling their story because what is kept hidden and in secret usually does more damage, and different people have different levels of resilience to overcome trauma from their childhood.