Deng Xiaoping

The opportunity of writing to you brings me great joy and pleasure. I know that my life is not one of great glory or fame, but it is truly one that I am proud of and pleased with. My name is Deng Xiaoping, and in a few short minutes, I hope to bring you further enlightenment to the benefits and joys of communism and the good it brings to our society through understanding me, my vision, and my experience.

In order to truly appreciate what someone has done for the world, you must understand where they started out. I was born on August 22, 1904, to my father, Deng Wenming, who was a quite well-to-do landowner in the Sichuan province and to my mother Deng Danshi, the second of his four wives (notable biographies article). At birth, my parents gave me the name Deng Xixian, which was later changed when I was 24 years old. I was very privileged to be able to attend school from my youth and eventually travel to France for a work-study program. This experience proved to be quite a pivotal period in my life.

Growing up in Sichuan provided me with many of life’s amenities. I always had clothes, a home, and never did I worry about food to eat. In 1920 I left for France along with 80 of my classmates after graduating from Chongqing Preparatory School with high expectations of a rich European experience. Upon arrival, however, my expectations were soon brought to a dismal reality. I spent a large amount of time working rather than learning about the French culture and history. My parents could not afford to send me money and the money I earned barely covered my expenses and life had drastically changed from my comfortable dwelling in Sichuan. Amidst all the hard work and studying, I somehow managed to find time for myself. Most of this time was spent with my fellow classmates. I had always remained close to them because I was the youngest of the group at only 16 years of age when we left. Our time spent together in unskilled and underpaid jobs led us to gain a different view on the world and the society in which we lived. Although I was young in age, I was mature in thought. My comrades and I quickly caught a vision of what the workers’ movement in France was trying to accomplish from the October Revolution in Russia. We quickly became converted to the philosophies of Marxist social system. I had transformed from a patriotic child to an adult Marxist during my five year stay in France (china daily article).

My communist ideals, associates, and passion quickly propelled me to the leadership in the Youth Communist Party in France. When we were called back to China in 1926, a few comrades and I stopped in Russia for an additional few months’ study on the communist practices. It is largely the studies of Marxism in foreign countries that propelled me in my positions and my passion for communism. Upon arrival from Russia my extended involvement with communism got its wonderful yet unpredictable, start. It is there that I changed my name to Deng Xiaoping and helped organize the Red Army and the Long March. My self and two comrades, Liu Shaoqi and Mao Zedong, started to increase in power and supporters. The appearance of a new China looked inevitable, yet due to unforeseeable circumstances, my luck took a turn for the worst.

The Cultural Revolution took hold and people began to separate and disagree. I was in favor of quick and rash decisions while Mao was in favor of long, drawn-out, intricate decisions. We started to part ways and took our followers with us. Mao was ultimately successful in his endeavors and eventually Liu Shaoqi and I became large targets to blame for our country’s struggles. I was prosecuted by Mao’s Red Guards, stripped of all military honors and positions, and sent to internal exile to do manual labor and study the writings of Marx and Mao (see Chinese posters article). Nevertheless, my comrades had not forgotten me. Zhou Enlai tried to claim I had been rehabilitated, however, again due to my radical ideals, I was accused of causing riots and violence. I sank into the darkness until the Cultural Revolution had ended.

Once Mao died in 1977, I began my comeback just as you westerners would refer to as a “late inning rally” for your pointless past-time sport of baseball. I was already over 70 years old, thus my actions were dramatic and quick. I began first by quickly and efficiently dismantling Mao’s leadership and then I did one of the most influential things since the implementation of the communist government. In my Tour of the South, I created several special economic zones.

The purpose of these special economic zones was to open certain cities in China, such as Shanghai and Shenzhen, to foreign countries for investment and education purposes. Following the establishment of these special economic zones to the world, our economy grew dramatically both locally and internationally. I knew that an open China would lead to a strong China. Due to this proven knowledge, I squandered anybody who voiced an opinion to create democracy in China. After the creation of these zones, Shanghai became one of the busiest port cities in the East. Trade boomed in my country. Shanghai started managing and exchanging goods for over half of China’s foreign trade and over 25% of the domestic trade. With my rural business excitement and inviting foreign countries into limited cities, I started an economic rising that continued until my death and would for at least a decade after.

Unfortunately, my power could not last forever. As the country advanced, I could not think of ways to support our ever-growing economy. Reformers found a way to fight me with I was unfamiliar: mass media technology. In 1989 several Soviet Union leaders visited Beijing during which a protest was taking place in Tiananmen Square. Not knowing how to handle the massive amounts of protestors, my law enforcers got violent and ended up massacring hundreds that day. This huge dishonor to me and my political system was broadcast throughout the world via television stations and my international support quickly diminished. I resigned later that year and submitted to my declining health until I died on February 19, 1997. I left behind a legacy of overcoming setbacks again and again in order to gain what I felt was right. My legacy is filled with high and low points, many people focusing on the low point of Tiananmen Square which essentially ended my control. Nevertheless, one can learn from my persistency about knowing what you want and working hard for it no matter what.

References:

Chinese Posters [1]

China Daily [2]

Notable Biographies [3]