Scott Simmie

Tiananmen Square was written by journalists Scott Simmie and Bob Nixon, reports on the background and the history of the uprising. I remember watching the news reports in my Chinese language class in May 1989. My teacher from Taiwan was so hopeful for change and the scene of the young man facing down a tank without any weapons, only speech is firmly engraved in memory.

Now after all these years, I finally know what the man what is said which I will never forget. Here is a quote from this book:

"A column of tanks pulled out of Tiananmen Square and began heading east. A lone man rushed into the street and stood directly in front of the advancing convoy, almost daring it to run him over. The lead tank swerved, trying to get past, but the man jumped into its path. The tank again switched directions; the protestor managed to block it. Finally the vehicle ground to a halt. The man clambered on top and began pounding on the heavy steel. A burst of gunfire rang out, apparently warning shots, but he stood his ground. The turrent popped open and a soldier stuck his head out. Asia week quoted the protestor as crying, "Why are you here? You have done nothing but create misery. My city is in chaos because of you."

This uprising that was famous for a while worldwide and squelched after a while by the leadership. It was a shock to the government that it would happen and a shock to the people who demonstrated in the square that their own army would kill them! It was such a fragile movement and not likely to happen again while people were still living to remember the bloodshed.

This book gives so much history but the memory of seeing the scenes of Tiananmen Square over and over again in my classroom and on the news at home can never betrayed with as much joy, tragedy and sadness as watching it while it happened.… (altro)