6 - Private Lives for Public Consumption

Summary

Chapter 6 returns to look at ‘real-life’ experiences. On the surface, these life stories often conform to the ‘triumph over tragedy’ format familiarised by the Zhang Haidi narrative. Frequently highlighting the support of the state, these memoirs emphasise the superhuman qualities of their subjects, demanding similar achievement from their audience, disabled and non-disabled alike. Unsurprisingly, the state draws upon such writing to legitimise itself as custodian of a civilised society. Yet, we also see how autobiographies and memoirs hint at the beginnings of the de-collectivisation of subjectivity and the pluralisation of memory. This is significant as, with only a few exceptions, disabled people in China continue to be dealt with as a single homogeneous group with consonant problems and similar desires. Here, Showdown with Death (Duijue sishen, 2012) by Yin Shujun (b. 1977) reveals a unique and intimate history that offers us insight into the way subjective perspectives contribute new spaces for the emergence of new ideals of para-citizenship. Like Zhang Haidi before, we also see how the female disabled body remains a potent site of personal, cultural and political significance.