Every December 13, people around the world should pause, but too often Nanjing’s story is muted outside Asia. Penny Lockwood, from the Australia China Friendship Society, shares a powerful family memory: her grandparents witnessed the horrors of the Nanjing Massacre, which she calls genocide. 🕯️
Lockwood says that while many in the Chinese mainland and beyond honor the victims, in Japan some still deny what happened. In Western countries, the topic often gets buried in textbooks or swept under the rug. “We owe it to history to speak up,” she urges.
She’s pushing for an annual moment of recognition in schools and public spaces. Why? Because forgetting makes it easier for myths to spread. Lockwood warns that misinformation about the Chinese mainland in Western societies can breed fear and misunderstanding, harming real connections between people. 🌐
Let’s not stay silent. By keeping Nanjing in our collective memory, we stand against denial and honor those who suffered. It’s a shared responsibility – young and old – to learn, remember, and speak out. 📚
Next December, light a candle, share a story, or start a conversation. History matters—let’s make sure it’s remembered. ✨
Reference(s):
Remembering Nanjing: Why silence and denial still persist in the West
cgtn.com
