(1904 - 2005) ~ Chinese Anarchist Writer and Critic of the Chinese Communist Party : Ba Jin, one of the main figures of twentieth century Chinese literature, died in Shanghai on the 17th of October 2005. He was also a survivor of the Chinese anarchist movement which disappeared with the victory of the Communists. While he was required to 'repent', and purged and humiliated during the Cultural Revolution, he never embraced any other ideal. (From : Kate Sharpley Library.)
• "China is paralyzed; where can we find happiness? Some conscious youth believe that the only way to improve China's current situation is to promote "nationalism," and identify "nationalism" as the only road to happiness for the Chinese. Voices of "nationalism" have spread all over the nation. I shudder at such a thought. "Nationalism" is in fact the obstacle to human progress. Being a member of this society, I cannot accept nationalism against my conscience." (From : "Nationalism and the Road to Happiness for the Chi....)
• "...only those who do not forget the past will be masters of the future." (From : "A Museum of the 'Cultural Revolution,'" by Ba Jin....)
• "The blight upon the people's freedom is the State. Ever since the State came into existence, we have stopped being free. No matter what we do or say, the State sticks its nose in. All we ask is to live in love with our brethren from other nations, but the State would have us patriots at any price, enrolls us in its armies and forces us to murder our neighbors." (From : "How Are We To Establish A Truly Free And Egalitar....)