My grandfather, the great helmsman of the people
- Source: Global Times
- [00:21 September 18 2009]
- Comments
Mao Xinyu
Editor's Note:
The Guangzhou-based Southern People Weekly magazine(SPW), in its September 14's issue, talked to Mao Xinyu (Mao), grandson of Mao Zedong, about his grandfather's legacy, on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the PRC.
SPW: Are you worried about being recognized when walking on the street? How do the most fervent worshippers of Mao respond?
Mao: I'm often recognized by people. My parents educated me that I shouldn't be afraid of being recognized, nor of walking to the people and standing among them. Chairman Mao enjoyed a high prestige among the people, and they have strong affection for his descendents. If someone recognizes us and wants to take a picture with us, we will always satisfy their requirements.
At the age of 26, I, together with my mother, was once invited to Huining, Gansu Province, to participate in the commemorative activity to mark the 60th anniversary of the completion of the Long March of the Red Army. Some local people even held up portraits of Chairman Mao to welcome us. People across the county arrived and surrounded the hotel we lived in.
My mother said we couldn't disappoint them, and we must go out. Three cars were than arranged – the first one was to clear the way, I stood on the second, the third followed. However, we could hardly move, since the road was blocked by numerous people. I kept shaking hands with people.
In the afternoon, there was a memorial, and I was asked to give a speech. The audience lost control just as I cried out "Long Live the Great Workers' and Farmers' Red Army! Long Live the Long March! Long Live Chairman Mao!" People started to rush to the stage, and more than 10 policemen tried to maintain order, hands linked to form a chain around us. They were knocked down, and five or six more policemen convoyed us into a jeep. We stayed there for three hours until the evening came and the crowd drifted away. It was chaotic, but both my mother and I were moved to tears.
My father passed away in 2007, and my mother in 2008. People came to their memorial meetings without invitation, with the obituary notice in one hand, and the portrait of Chairman Mao in the other. That scene is unforgettable.
SPW: How do you feel when finding your family members' names in the history books? What's your feelings toward your grandfather? Was there a gradual process of understanding him?
Mao: I knew my grandpa was Mao Zedong when I was a little boy. I thought he was a great person, too. I started to sing the song "On the Golden Mountain of Beijing" when I was only three years old. As the song described, grandpa was indeed the glorious red sun on the golden mountain. But before going to high school, I also kept thinking that what kind of a person my grandpa was and why he was great.
Frankly, I didn't expect three things in my life. First, I thought I would continue to do my research in literature of the Ming (1368 – 1644) and Qing (1644 – 1911) dynasties which I was interested in. But my mother firmly required me to study Mao Zedong Thought. Now I see this was a completely correct decision.
Second, I wasn't mentally prepared before joining the CPC. I was admitted into the Party on December 16, 1993. That day was quite monumental – 10 days later it was the centennial of my grandpa's birthday.
Third, I never expected that I would join the army, and became a high-ranking officer.
It was after joining the army that I began to really understand grandpa. If I hadn't joined the army and the Party, I would feel more relaxed when facing grandpa, just like a grandson in an ordinary family. However, I couldn't. As a solider, I regard him as our leader and commander-in-chief.
Whether I go to the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, the Fragrant Hill villa where grandpa once lived, or places where he once fought, I always tell myself, "Grandpa is looking at me. What have I done? What're my achievements? How should I face him? What should I tell him?"
