Step-by-step Collection (Exploration of Several Issues in Ethnic Theory and Ethnic History)

Author: Peng Yingming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-01
Features: I have a connection with ethnic minorities and have worked in ethnic affairs for many years, visiting numerous ethnic minority regions in the south, north, and west. I have always been delighted by the experiences I encountered. Academia has been the cornerstone of my life, and I consider it a great fortune to interact with the outstanding scholars in the field of ethnic studies. Among the humanities scholars of the Tujia ethnic group, in terms of research achievements, two "Mings" stand out: Li Shaoming in the upper Yangtze River region and Peng Yingming in the middle Yangtze River region. I have read several of their works and benefited greatly from them. The author of this Collection of Academic Steps, Peng Yingming, is one of them. Peng Yingming is the son of poor Tujia farmers. He spent nearly two decades in the Tujia mountainous areas of northwestern Hunan and southwestern Hubei. After attending higher education institutions, he received systematic education in ethnology and history and had the honor of becoming a disciple of Mr. Cen Jiawu. Such a background and experience have been very beneficial for his work in ethnic studies and have been very useful for others to understand his academic journey. Let me give an example: Peng Yingming believes that the reform and development of ethnic minorities themselves are also ethnic issues. This insight once made some friends in the field of ethnic studies find it difficult to agree with, but once you know his background and experience, you will find that he is accustomed to examining the strengths and weaknesses of the "self" of the ethnic group and accustomed to understanding the likes and dislikes of the "self" of the ethnic group. It will not be difficult to understand that what he has actually done is to transform the vague voice of the "self" of the ethnic group into clear calls—honest, simple, and natural. Ethnic issues, whether in ancient or modern times, at home or abroad, are extremely complex, and historical issues are often intertwined with sensitive nerves and current issues. The experience of the predecessors tells us: to study ethnic issues, academic ability is undoubtedly indispensable, but in addition, one must have broad knowledge, magnanimity, sincerity, and impartiality, and must avoid narrow-mindedness. The numerous articles collected in Collection of Academic Steps are sufficient to show that the author is indeed such a person. In the past nearly forty years, Peng Yingming has studied from primitive tribes to ancient tribes and ethnic groups, and from modern to contemporary ethnic issues. Within this deep and broad temporal and spatial framework, he has sought knowledge from all directions, respected facts, emphasized logic, and was not constrained by established views or blinded by partial knowledge, demonstrating the rigorous and simple nature of a scholar. His discussions are based on solid evidence and are full of originality. Therefore, Collection of Academic Steps is indeed worth the reference of those who are interested in ethnic theory and ethnic issues.