A Century of Turmoil: The Story of the Deaf

Author: Dai Mu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: A Century of Changes in the Deaf Community is a collection of essays primarily focusing on the achievements of outstanding deaf individuals in modern and contemporary times. It was co-authored by Mr. Dai Mu, the former Chairman of the China Deaf Association, Mr. Wen Damin, the former Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the China Disabled People's Magazine, and other dedicated contributors. The book is divided into three main sections: Education, Arts and Culture, and Society, featuring 142 short essays. It reflects how exceptional deaf individuals have created self-reliance and confidence, overcome physical disabilities and psychological imbalances, fought for their right to live, and pioneered new paths for the deaf community. Three years ago, at the turn of the new century, headlines in newspapers often read "Retrospect of the Century." I thought, why not write about the changes in the lives of deaf people in China over the past century with the title A Century of Changes in the Deaf Community?
As everyone knows, the 20th century was a period of profound transformation for the Chinese nation. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people endured arduous revolutionary struggles, sacrificing their heads and blood to overthrow the reactionary rule of feudalism, imperialism, and bureaucratic capitalism. They established a new China on the vast land of China that was democratic, peaceful, prosperous, and flourishing. Physically disabled deaf people in China also began their fight for "equal participation" at the turn of this century. Through a century of efforts, deaf people in China today have largely shaken off ignorance and discrimination, participated in the socialist economic construction of their motherland, and also created self-reliant and confident life conditions for themselves.
Of course, deaf people are still a vulnerable group today, and there are many issues that need to be addressed. Reflecting on the difficult journey of deaf people in China over the past century in their fight for "equal participation" can offer valuable insights, not only for the deaf community itself but also for deaf education and social workers.