Do you regret participating in the Cultural revolution? Knowing that thousand year old traditions, knowledge and culture gets wiped away because Mao wanted a bigger leap?

Edit: if you think her view on the CR is "OK", then you are probably sorely misinformed. A lot of people died, even if it isn't directly from her hands but she perpetuated that system and even take pride in it.

So fuck off and stop messaging me.

EDIT 2. My goodness, if you are so interested in hearing her side of the story, no one is stopping her telling it. Just when you start talking bullshit in your story and spouting opinions that is founded on nostalgia and ignorance, it is time to actually say something. Would you sit through a lecture still trying to convince you that light is only a wave and not both? No. It is fucking silly. DO some more research before you start saying I'm false accusing her.

EDIT 3 op - "I do not feel remorse for participating in a revolution in which some blood was shed and some suffering occurred. I am still in doubt of many of the "official" numbers of the atrocities from either China or other sources."

This is not acceptable. Not in modern society anyways. I don't care if you're the pope or donald trump, by saying "some blood was shed and some suffering occurred" is outright bullshit. This the equal to saying "Only some black slaves were treated bad."

Edit 4 She reached her kickstarter. Good for her, how Marxist of her.

No I have no regrets from taking part, I have seen a lot and learned a lot and understand it differently from how you seem to understand it.

I'm curious what your sources are and how you came to that interpretation because how I am reading it is not how I saw it?

I believe the "big leap" you are referring to and attributing to Mao was really "The Great Leap Forward" that preceded the cultural revolution. I feel this term is miss applied often in talking about the cultural revolution and applied to (and still does) an earlier movement.

The earlier movement was about producing steel and is usually ridiculed in this country (the US) in the mass media. I don't agree with that interpretation.

As far as thousand year old traditions, there were things about Chinese cultural and history that were criticized and some changed in the cultural revolution, but I don't think it wiped out thousands of years of history or culture.

What was the most surprising thing in your FBI file?

The report, as if it were criminal activity, that my husband and I invited "Negros" to our home and that my husband was a "negro" (also as if that was bad - He was Jewish)

Have you been aware about the many thousands of murders and countless physical and psychological abuses (as documented by CCP, etc.) in the name of the cultural revolution when you took part in it?

Could you please elaborate in short why you still believe that the individuals in a dictatorial proletariat are morally superior to people of a democratic society?

Have you been aware about the many thousands of murders and countless physical and psychological abuses (as documented by CCP, etc.) in the name of the cultural revolution when you took part in it?

The only thing along those lines I was aware of was several reported suicides and I question when the victors of a historic struggle present their accounts.

Could you please elaborate in short why you still believe that the individuals in a dictatorial proletariat are morally superior to people of a democratic society?

I don't believe I said that.

How does it feel knowing that marxism has utterly failed as an ideology?

I will point out that this is another loaded question.

But to the point I don't believe that it has "failed" as a basic ideology. The basic economics of Marixsm I view as still valid, the difference between Marixsm has failed or whether those who attempt to apply Marixm have failed, certainly in the United States so far, those of us who say we are Marxist have not been able to apply Marixsm in a successful manner.

This question is an important one and is fundamental to my differences with many, many people both I China and in the US.

I think the analysis of the economics by Marx and Engles still holds in the main world wide. Class struggle, exploitation, what makes value in production etc are still true today. I believe Cuba, China and the people in Nepal who are successfully applying Marixsm today are proof of it's validity.

Hi Ann!

What were/are your thought of the Sino-Soviet split? How did you react when it happened? Also do you consider Deng's revisionist China better than Mao's China? If so, how?

What were/are you're thought of the Sino-Soviet split?

An important question - still needs study. My understanding is it exposes revisionism and what happens to socialist governments after a proletarian revolution. We learned that class struggle goes on after the working class achieves state power.

How did you react when it happened?

I left the communist party in the US over this issue because they took a stand that you can side with the imperialist governments and still be moving towards working class power in national governments. I was glad to go to China where this was a fundamental question of the cultural revolution and to this day urge everybody interested in social change to study the lessons of the cultural revolution.

Also do you consider Deng's revisionist China better than Mao's China?

No I don't. The cultural revolution was to try to answer whether China would continue on the socialist road or go the capitalist road. I believe Deng Xiao Ping was instrumental in leading China to where it is now - which I see as essentialist the capitalist road.

Do you not consider Maoist China to be imperialist in nature? Communist China annexed and occupied lands to which it had no right, including Tibet and Inner Mongolia, and they continue to claim Taiwan.

That's actually a fairly complicated question to answer.

I will have to vastly oversimplify my answer, but no I don't consider Maoist China imperialist in nature. Tibet cannot simply be called an annexation of land, that process has 800 years of history behind it - Michael Parenti has given some great information on the subject which was online at one point, but I'm not sure if it still is. I am not well versed on the Inner Mongolia subject and Taiwan has always been owned by China except for the imperialist treaties at the end of WWI that gave Japan sovereignty over Taiwan.

This is going to be a borderline attack, but how are you not responsible, either directly or indirectly, for the deaths or wrongful imprisonment of numerous nonconformists to Mao's leftist regime? Why are you proud of your participation in one of the most totalitarian movements of all time, and more importantly, why is Reddit celebrating this?

I think this is somewhat answered in the lead in edit.

I have some questions related to Taiwan, my home of choice:

During your time in China, do you recollect how normal people saw Taiwan? Do they saw it as part of China, or did they not care?

Also, during the Cultural Revolution, Chiang Kai-shek launched a revival of Chinese traditions in Taiwan with his "sinicization movement". Was that known in China to common people? What did they think about it?

During your time in China, do you recollect how normal people saw Taiwan?

Yes. Firstly the Chinese Government maintained that Taiwan was part of China and not a separate country. The normal people always considered Taiwan as just a part of China but also viewed the US imperialists as using Taiwan and the claim of some of the government leaders of Taiwan (such as that Taiwan was a sovereign nation) as aggression towards mainland China.

Also, during the Cultural Revolution, Chiang Kai-shek launched a revival of Chinese traditions in Taiwan with his "sinicization movement". Was that known in China to common people? What did they think about it?

I don't recognize the term "sinicization movement" and I can't match it to any subject I was aware of at the time. Perhaps it has something to do with the treaties that gave Japan over Taiwan... but that is only my best guess... Sorry I do not know more on that subject.

How has your perspective of the cultural revolution changed after the fact? If you could go back in time knowing what you know now would you still participate and support it?

How has your perspective of the cultural revolution changed after the fact?

I feel that the purpose of the Cultural Revolution we failed to achieve. The issue and the purpose were new historically, I believe, and for that reason nobody knew how it should be done.

If you could go back in time knowing what you know now would you still participate and support it?

I still believe the purpose and struggle were worthwhile, we learned from doing it and there is still a need for it.

There are several ways to read your question so here are a few answers:

If I could go back in time knowing exactly how it all turned out (and couldn't change the outcome) yes I would still participate. Every new epoch of history involves sacrifice and mistakes, I have a different understanding of what the costs would have been if the cultural revolution had not occurred and also a different understanding of what the actual situation is or was and the reasons for differences of current understanding of what happened.

If I could go back and apply my knowledge and experience today to the process I would also still do it but definitely would try to apply what we all learned in the course of the cultural revolution.

First I would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to see this troubled period of Chinese history from a whole new perspective.

The Chinese Cultural Revolution is seen by many as a cultural genocide, wiping out thousands of years of traditional Chinese culture seen as "backward" and "feudal" by chairman Mao Zedong.
To outsiders living in China today such as me, this country appears to be in a state of cultural void. Traditional culture seems to have been replaced with the Party's culture.
Today still, any attempt to ressurect traditional culture is strictly forbidden and crushed by those in power.

Two questions:
Were you aware of this aspect of the full picture when joining in?
Do you realize the sum of knowledge, traditions and culture that has been lost in the process?

The Chinese Cultural Revolution is seen by many as a cultural genocide, wiping out thousands of years of traditional Chinese culture seen as "backward" and "feudal" by chairman Mao Zedong.

I bet to differ with the many who have that view. In particular MaoZeDong was a leader but not a one person in control of everybody and engaged in ideological struggle which led to different policies within the communist party of China. He was very influential and very widely respected by the masses of China for the achievements before 1949 and his leadership up to the cultural revolution and continued into the struggles within China during the cultural revolution.

To outsiders living in China today such as me, this country appears to be in a state of cultural void. Traditional culture seems to have been replaced with the Party's culture.

Based on my experience, China is not in a state of cultural void. Can you cite some examples of what you see as it being a cultural void?

Change is the only constant. So yes there have been changes in culture bot not changes in everything about the culture, and not all change is good. So we need to be more specific and cite examples in order to be speaking to each other the same playing field.

Today still, any attempt to ressurect traditional culture is strictly forbidden and crushed by those in power.

I don't agree with that statement, but I think I would need to know more about what you include in "traditional culture" to understand more what your point is.

Were you aware of this aspect of the full picture when joining in?

Since I don't really agree with your interpretation I don't know that I can really answer that question. However I will say that after I had been there a few years I was acutely aware of a feudal ways of thinking that still persisted after I arrived in China.

Do you realize the sum of knowledge, traditions and culture that has been lost in the process?

I will point out that most of your post is loaded questions and statements, so I will try to respond as best I can.

I can see the possibility of certain things being viewed as lost in the process and I was aware of things I didn't understand or I couldn't agree with but overall I don't come to the conclusion that seems to be in your questions.

Could you give an example of tradition or culture that was lost that I could relate to more directly?

This AMA should be titled "Delusional Woman and her son attempt to make money from Reddit." Good grief lady.

I was assigned to teach English in a college level institute in Beijing that I was chauffeured to and from while residing in the elegant “Friendship Hotel.” I objected to these special elegant conditions and wanted to be on the same salary and living conditions as my co-teachers.

In other words, she saw the whole Cultural Revolution from a position of comfort and opulence. Kind of like how in "The Interview" North Korea tried to trick Seth Rogan and James Franco's characters into thinking everything was fine and dandy within the country. She was probably a great tool for the Chinese Propaganda machine. I bet she never went out into the country side and saw people starving, imprisoned, malnourished, rotting away. The brainwashing seems to have worked quite well. Incredible considering she lived in the Western world for the rest of her life after leaving China. Read a fucking book.

This brought me into participation in writing a “Big Character” poster (dao zi bao) which led to full permission for me to take part both in my institute and among all the foreigners who chose to participate in the Cultural Revolution.

There it is folks. Aided in Chinese propaganda and has no shame about it to this day. Go get your money somewhere else lady. I hope no one donates to this looney toon. Hell, maybe her son is even the one behind this whole thing trying to cash in. Sorry for the cynicism, I just don't understand how some one can have such favorable views of one of the worst man-made atrocities in history.

In other words, she saw the whole Cultural Revolution from a position of comfort and opulence.

I am sorry this is the opinion you got from my response. The point I was making is in fact the exact opposite of what you suggest.

They tried to put me up in a fancy hotel and give me the good life. I fought it and was ultimately successful in being allowed to live alongside my Chinese colleagues, the peasants, workers and "real people" of China you seem to think were hidden from me were actually very much the people of my every day life and time spent in China.

Did you starve with your Chinese colleagues as well? We're you taken to the streets, tied up and beaten until submissive then shamed in public.jpg)? Did you do time in the labor fields for months or years?

No I did not go through any of those experiences.

Some of my colleagues in my institute were forced to wear dunce caps and publically shamed. I was aware of some such events.

Shaming in China has a very different history from shaming in the US. I think of shaming similar to the stocks that were used to punish people in early US history.

I'll admit I'm skeptical about this whole thing. These days the cultural revolution is considered by Chinese to be mostly a mistake. My feeling is that it's only because the dysfunctional elements of the Mao government were finally brought into public view - however the cultural implications of that period have been long lasting. As far as I can tell, it's the beginning of a mob rule mentality which continues this day, now on the internet (such as 人肉搜索, human flesh search engine.)

But I want to hear your perspectives. Is there any way in which that period had a positive impact? And how about your work personally?

Is there any way in which that period had a positive impact?

Yes, some examples would be: Feudal beliefs were challenged - like the idea that where you were born is where you should be and questioning authority is wrong. As part of the cultural revolution people were called upon to think for themselves and act.

The vast majority of the people in China did not commonly travel before that period and the CR involved many groups of average class people to travel across many provinces. China has 55 national minority groups and at the time it was very unusual (unlike the US) for common folk to travel far.

And how about your work personally?

My response to a big character poster which became a nationwide position. That will have to be gone into more detail in the book however.

From your perspective during the cultural revolution what did you hope would be accomplished and do you feel that any good came of the policies of that time period?

Personally I had hoped that China would have stayed on a socialist road. That's what I felt would be good if it were accomplished.

While I do feel the cultural revolution failed it did give he world the opportunity to learn that class struggle continues into the initial stages of socialism.

In a more tangible sense the Barefoot Doctor movement brought doctors to rural country regions and youth learned how to be vocal to their parents and authority figures.

Having grown up it sounds like constantly on the ocean and away from society much of the time, what occupied your time and thoughts at sea as a young person?

Three hours of home study/schooling every week day, whether dolphins, dolphins, jelly fish, flying fish, the weather, stars and meteors etc were always readily available.

Life on a functional schooner is quite active and not at all like a cruise or excursion many people are used to today. From a young age we played an active role in day to day functions of raising and lowering sails, standing watch, polishing brass, learning boxing the compass etc.

There was really never a dull moment or shortage of things to keep our minds busy!

Does requesting a copy of your FBI file due to freedom of info act put you on their radar simply by requesting it? (I'd like to request mine just to see what it says)

I really wouldn't know.

I have a question to the Son:

Are you a Marxist like your mother?

Hello, sorry but I am not here to answer questions about myself, just to facilitate getting Ann's answers onto Reddit.

How were the nineties for you?

Can you please specify your question?

I don't know that I have a really good answer to sum up an entire decade for this.

1) How many people were killed by the government during the Cultural Revolution?

2) What do feel about Tank Man?

3) Is not China a totalitarian country? Does China have freedom of speech?

4) As a communist here in the U.S., what would happen to a capitalist in China doing the same as you?

1) How many people were killed by the government during the Cultural Revolution?

I really wouldn't know, these numbers are disputed widely even amongst "experts".

2) What do feel about Tank Man?

I think he was a brave person and a man of his own conviction.

3) Is not China a totalitarian country? Does China have freedom of speech?

I would not say it's a totalitarian country. I feel China does have freedom of speech with some limitations, while that may not seem like a real answer, I feel it's worth comparing to the US where we have freedom of speech but with limitations too.

4) As a communist here in the U.S., what would happen to a capitalist in China doing the same as you?

They might have a dossier as long as my FBI file.

Thank you for speaking with us!

My understanding from an undergraduate course on modern China was that the Cultural Revolution was viewed with mixed feelings by many supporters of the 1949 revolution. In particular, Yue Daiyun wrote in To the Storm of her experience being denounced as a rightist for seemingly trivial offences, such as a never realized campus publication and her poetry. While still viewing herself as a Marxist, she was forced to perform hard labor and documented the ensuing violence at Beida in the years to come.

My question is this: wouldn't it be better to empathize with the underpinnings of the 1949 Revolution while also accepting that the Cultural Revolution was carried to unnecessary extremes? I apologize if I appear too biased or confrontational in this question.

There are many books published in this country about people who were mistreated or claim mistreatment and very few or no books being published that deal with an alternative or positive view of the CR.

Generally my attitude is that these books probably describe real mistreatment but are based usually on individual concern for self without consideration of the whole purpose and all the people in the society.

How fluent is your Chinese? Did you have any language preparation before going to China?

What was your educational background?

What are your thoughts on the war between China and Vietnam following the US withdrawal?

Do you believe, in light of what has happened over the past century with these wars and the Sino-soviet split, that global communism would stand any better at achieving world peace?

How difficult was the process of getting the FBI file on yourself? I would be interested in seeing what they write about me.

I'm sorry but due to time I can't answer all these questions, I do hope to have these points addressed in my book.

I had no preparation in advance for going to China but learned a working knowledge of Chinese during my time there.

For your FBI File I advise to have a lawyer send a letter requesting it. It should be available to you under the Freedom of Information Act.

Hi Ann,

Thanks for posting. Can I ask where you participated in the CR? Was it limited to BJ? Was there a particular faction that you were associated with?

Other questions: the CR has since been denounced as a "Left" deviation. Do you see it as such? Broadly speaking, how do you feel about Deng Xiaoping's interpretation of Marxism and Maoism?

During the CR, the early red guards embraced the bloodline theory of Marxism, which held that class was inherited through the generations. This has since been forgotten by Marxist theorists. Was this an important part of your maturing as a Marxist?

At the end of the CR, some of the most populist red guard groups were denounced as rightist and crushed (for example, the Shengwulian, various quasi-liberal groups in BJ and TJ, the Shanghai Commune, etc.). What was your feeling watching this? Did you have a sense that the high water mark of the CR was passing?

Thank you so much for doing this. I encourage you to write your experiences down.

These are some great questions, unfortunately due to time I can't answer all of these right now.

Can I ask where you participated in the CR? Was it limited to BJ? Was there a particular faction that you were associated with?

I lived and worked in BJ and was aware of struggles in other places and participated both with the Chinese and a group of foreigners.

I was probably most associated with "The East is Red" faction and I feel that was one of my mistakes.

I really feel your other questions are excellent and I hope to have solid answers for them in my book.

It is fantastic to have you chronicle your experiences. They are unusual and at a interesting time in history. Do you have opinions on any of the following points?

• I have lived in China and visit as often as I can. I have many Chinese friends, including many in the Communist party, who will talk politics with me frankly. Many experienced the Cultural Revolution in a profound way. Not one person I have spoken to has anything close to a positive opinion of the event and it is referred to as "the mistake"; they otherwise are very proud of their country. Do you find the same in talking to Chinese friends? If so how do you reconcile this with your own opinions?

• The most common western explanation for the Cultural Revolution is that MaoZeDung started it to grab power back from the technocrats and more pragmatic party members. Again how do you reconcile this with your opinions?

• The Cultural Revolution did not erase 1000s of years of Chinese culture as some have are saying here. Living in China for a few years will make that clear to anyone. Modernity is more of a threat. Also it is true many did die, but before people from the USA lecturer others, an honest analysis and body count of USA global activities should be made.

Do you find the same in talking to Chinese friends? If so how do you reconcile this with your own opinions?

Without speaking to your friends directly or hearing their stories directly I can't say specifically. I would guess possibly they are echoing a commonly accepted and comfortable interpretation of what happened and possibly are reflecting on their experience on a personal scale of impact without reflecting on the impact that was had on a larger scale (ie concern for personal difficulties over the good of the class/general good)

The most common western explanation for the Cultural Revolution is that MaoZeDung started it to grab power back from the technocrats and more pragmatic party members. Again how do you reconcile this with your opinions?

I don't believe that it was a personal power struggle, but that it was an issue within the central committee, at least, and perhaps lower levels of the CPC, as to whether China would remain socialist or become capitalist. In short, I don't agree with the simple idea that it was a just a "power grab" by MaoZeDong.

•The Cultural Revolution did not erase 1000s of years of Chinese culture as some have are saying here. Living in China for a few years will make that clear to anyone. Modernity is more of a threat. Also it is true many did die, but before people from the USA lecturer others, an honest analysis and body count of USA global activities should be made.

Thank you for this comment, it is an excellent view to keep in mind.

how many people have you seen or had some knowledge of who were killed by the communists in the cultural revolution?

"killed by the comunists" - I have no way to know who was a party member or not unless they self identified to me.

I do not believe anyone I knew killed anybody during the CR.

What were some of the most interesting experiences you had as one of only a handful of foreigners in China at that time? Were people primarily welcoming or primarily skeptical of your efforts?

What were some of the most interesting experiences you had as one of only a handful of foreigners in China at that time?

Not being identified as an imperialist because I came from the US was the main attitude I found towards me as a foreigner from the US which I found was interesting. Also individual responses from peasants who weren't sure if I would speak Chinese or English.

Were people primarily welcoming or primarily skeptical of your efforts?

Some of both. Differently at different periods.

What else has surprised you about your FBI file? Have you spent much time in China recently or interacted with Chinese students in America? What differences are most marked to you? What did you like best about living on a boat? On land?

What else has surprised you about your FBI file?

The amount of taxpayer funding that was involved in collecting information on me when there was no breach of law or violence. In the recent collection from the FBI they even note they have not found any unlawful activity or violence.

Have you spent much time in China recently or interacted with Chinese students in America?

I am still in touch with people in China, I've made about 7 trips to visit and or work in China, the last of which was in 2009, and have friends living in the US from China with whom I am in correspondence.

What differences are most marked to you?

Beginning about 1980 I saw over several trips the conversion from a socialist country to a capitalist country.

What did you like best about living on a boat? On land?

The spirit of cooperation required to maintain safety for all aboard.

On land being involved with struggling for social justice.

What was your favorite part about living on a ship?

The comradery of the crew working together as a unit.

Do you have any opinions and/or criticism on the modern PRC and "socialism with chinese characteristics"? The PRC, as I'm sure you know, is very different today.

Thanks for the AMA, comrade.

Do you have any opinions and/or criticism on the modern PRC and "socialism with chinese characteristics"?

It seems to me that PRC today is primarily a capitalist economy "with Chinese characteristics" but still represents one class ruling over another.

It seems like you've seen a lot of historical events and influences, so I'm curious: What's your opinion on present day social activism (Black Lives Matter, Third-Wave Feminism, etc) compared to the activism when you were younger?

From my perspective it seems like people are much more concerned about others offending them, than an actual lack of rights or freedom like in many past movements. But I don't know if that's just the rose-colored glasses of history.

Do we just respect historical activism more because we weren't present to see the participants and their actions, or is current activism really behaving in a much more self-aggrandizing manner?

My experience in the earliest movements I was involved in were more programmatic - presenting platforms for solving all societies ills. Kind of an overall large picture of society change, rather than what I felt developed as issue oriented groups, which at first I welcomed because often the programmatic approach tried to deal with things they didn't have facts or analysis of and the later groups were specializing and developing relationships and facts about a particular issue. But now the issue oriented approach may have lost the bigger picture.

According to a variety of sources, you weren't alone in creating 大字报 (da zi bao). Do you remember your interactions with other foreigners? What did you guys actually write that "impressed" Mao so much?

In my forthcoming book there is a chapter that will answer that in detail, the basics are that we foreigners wanted to be treated like and participate just like everybody else, not specially like foreigners.

Thank you for doing this AMA.

What is your opinion on anarchism?

What are, in your opinion, the biggest mistakes that could've been avoided during the Cultural Revolution?

What is your opinion on anarchism?

I suppose first of all that I do not believe society will do without government, but the use of the term Anarchist I find has different meanings to different people.

What are, in your opinion, the biggest mistakes that could've been avoided during the Cultural Revolution?

Thanks for the question but I don't really have an answer for it as I am not sure what could have been avoided.

Hi Ann, what memories do you have of Helsinki and Finland? During that time it wasn't a part of European Union and every decision the Finns made was after evaluating how would it fare with the Russians. What were the sentiments of the general Finnish population regarding this?

I was only there for a week, indoors at a conference so I didn't really have any opportunity to learn about Finland.

Thanks for sharing your story. Have you approached anyone to help draft a memoir or an essay about your life?

Also, if its not too personal, when did you start noticing symptoms of Parkinsonism, and are you finding success with your current treatments?

Thanks for sharing your story. Have you approached anyone to help draft a memoir or an essay about your life?

I am currently in the process of writing a memoir and it's what the kickstarter was to help fund.

Also, if its not too personal, when did you start noticing symptoms of Parkinsonism, and are you finding success with your current treatments?

I was diagnosed in 2009, but I feel like symptoms may have been as early as 1996. Medications for Parkinson's are helping but not a solution. On a 1 to 10 scale I would say my symptoms are managed to about a level 8 (positive).

Ever met Allyn Rickett? If so, how did the conversation go; if not, how do you think it would go?

Ever met Allyn Rickett? If so, how did the conversation go; if not, how do you think it would go?

I have met both Allyn and Adele Rickett (SP) as a continuation of their book titled Prisoners of Liberation which I recommend highly if you can find it. The conversation was enjoyable and we shared many great thoughts.

Hi Ann! While in the Cultural revolution, were you able to witness a the of debates on the streets about governing society amongst the masses? Also what are your views on the Red Guards?

were you able to witness a the of debates on the streets about governing society amongst the masses?

Yes, I was able to observe some of them. If I was alone I couldn't interpret the language at the beginning of my time there.

Also what are your views on the Red Guards?

They were young people who originally, or I think usually, tried to participate appropriately but many of which made some serious mistakes and some of whom were mislead into making mistakes.

Is it true that for some time during the Cultural Revolution traffic light rules were reversed and people were prosecuted for stopping at red light?

No, not to my knowledge.

There was an opinion poster I once saw that suggested they should change the color red to go and green to stop.

If I give you money, how can I be sure it will be used to actually pay your assistant/ghost writer rather than going towards something else?

Hello I am her son answering this as it's not a question about her life.

The money will go to a non profit that holds all the funds and will only pay out when they receive an invoice for services or goods. They will also handle sending w-9 to people for services rendered.

What is your opinion on Edgar Snow?

Excellent source!

Yay! First time I am early to an AMA! I was wondering what it was like to live under Mao. Positive or Negative? Do you think he deserves all the hatred toward him in the west? Do you think Deng did the right thing after Mao's death?

what it was like to live under Mao. Positive or Negative?

This is a complicated question but the simple answer I can give is that it was positive.

Do you think he deserves all the hatred toward him in the west?

No.

Do you think Deng did the right thing after Mao's death?

From my understanding no.

Where can I buy your autobiography, for more detail?

I am in the process of writing my own memoirs right now, so I don't know when that will be out. But you may want to look at http://www.amazon.com/Sailors-Voyage-Around-Warwick-Tompkins/dp/B0006AOOQK

And

http://www.amazon.com/Fifty-South-Warwick-Thompkins/dp/1881987167/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458096159&sr=1-1&keywords=50+south+to+50+south

Which are both by my (Ann's) father.

Thank you for doing this AMA, and shedding light on the true story of the cultural revolution!

Have you read Mobo Gao's "The Battle for China's Past"? What did you think of it?

What are your thoughts on the current revolutions ongoing in India, Nepal, Turkey, and the Philippines?

What do you think the experience of the Cultural Revolution can teach revolutionaries in North America today?

So many questions!

Have you read Mobo Gao's "The Battle for China's Past"?

No not yet.

What are your thoughts on the current revolutions ongoing in India, Nepal, Turkey, and the Philippines?

I only know a little bit about them, from what I am reading those three nations are worth studying.

What do you think the experience of the Cultural Revolution can teach revolutionaries in North America today?

That class struggle continues under the dictatorship of the proletariat.

Do you think that a new revolution would be necessary for the establishment of socialism in China?

It certainly looks that way.

Do you think that China can get back on the path to full communism after Deng Xiaoping's betrayal of the Revolution?

Yes, in the long run.

Why does she get to be so interesting and I'm just a boring middle class white kid.

I know it sounds snarky, but this is a legitimate question, and I'd be grateful to hear her opinion on it. Is it fate? Chance? The result of her actions?

Being interesting is in the beholders eyes. Probably serendipity.

Hi Ann! Thanks for having this AMA! It's very inspiring to hear from someone who participated in the Cultural Revolution.

Do you think people in the West will rise against capitalist oppression before it's too late, or will it take depletion of the Earth's natural resources to allow for more solidarity?

Also: if machines and robots replace labor in the future, do you think this could create machine-produced wealth to be distributed among everyone, or is it more likely that the machine-owners would horde the wealth for themselves?

Do you think people in the West will rise against capitalist oppression before it's too late, or will it take depletion of the Earth's natural resources to allow for more solidarity?

I can only say I hope so to the first part, but in my view it certain could go the worse way. I see it as a call to action right now!

Also: if machines and robots replace labor in the future, do you think this could create machine-produced wealth to be distributed among everyone, or is it more likely that the machine-owners would horde the wealth for themselves?

If the machines were common property and could be used for everybody then yes the benefits might be distributed. If they are private property in the hands of the few I don't see why it would be any different than it is now.

You have an amazing story, Ann. Thanks for sharing! As a fellow American Marxist I am interested in hearing your thoughts on the prospects of international Communism in the world today. Also, what have you been up to since 1979? It must have been interesting to fill 600 pages.

I am interested in hearing your thoughts on the prospects of international Communism in the world today

Studying Marxism is still a good idea, learning history is still critical and that there are several national struggles using Mao Zedong's thought as a guiding and useful tool.

International communism is split and over using Maoism or non Maoism and that there are several examples of struggles led by Maoists that portend eventual success.

Also, what have you been up to since 1979? It must have been interesting to fill 600 pages.

More of the same! Activism in mass movements such as immigrant rights, anti racism, police brutality and also consumer interest in the funeral industry!