One day in late November, during a 60-minute Chinese class at Southern Utah State University, Mr. Chen Mingshu led the students out of the campus to a corner of the city to find a "trace of history."
The content of this class is Chinese bearing words. Generally speaking, the "direction" is the front and back, left and right, southeast, northwest, and in the eyes of some people, it may also be "how many minutes to go straight along a certain road". But in Mr. Chen Mingshu's "classroom", the two-dimensional "direction" has become three-dimensional or even multi-dimensional. Teacher Chen led the American students out of the classroom, explaining the directions along the way, while going to find a "character". But he didn't tell his classmates in advance who he was looking for.
Cedar City, home to Southern Utah State University, is home to Helen Snow, an old friend of the Chinese. About a 20-minute walk south from Southern Utah State University, under the tall poplar trees at the entrance of Main Street Park, stands a statue of Helen Snow. Many students pass by the statue every day after school, but they have no idea who the figure is and what its relationship with China is.
Statue of Helen Snow standing at the entrance of Cedar City Main Street Park. (Chen Mingshu/Photo)
With the help of the caption on the plaque next to the statue, Teacher Chen Mingshu told the students that Helen Snow was the first wife of Edgar Snow, a witness and recorder of the Chinese Revolution, and an old friend of the Chinese. In 1937, she traveled to Yan'an with her husband, Edgar Snow, and recorded a large number of historical materials about the Chinese revolution, and also formed a deep friendship with the leaders of the Chinese revolution, Mao Zedong, Zhu De, and others, with the Red Army, Communists, and Chinese. When Edgar later wrote the famous Red Star Shines on China (Journey to the West), Helen compiled a large amount of material for him.
American students carefully read the biography of Helen Snow on the nameplate. (Chen Mingshu/Photo)
Teacher Chen Mingshu told the students that when Edgar Snow and Helen Snow were mentioned, it was easy to think of another person, that is, Bethune, a Well-known Canadian "internationalist fighter" in China. In China, international friends like Bethune, Edgar Snow, and Helen Snow are considered great people and very respectable. After The death of Helen Snow in Connecticut in 1997, Chinese held memorial services for her in Xi'an and Beijing, which were held in the Great Hall of the People — a high honor. Helen's life, as she herself wrote in her poems: "You have always known the true meaning of friendship, and you must be consistent in appearance." You stand at every crossroads, so kind, loyal, and resolute. ”
Helen Snow actually has some ties to Southern Utah State University. Helen's parents worked at the local teachers' college, the predecessor of Southern Utah State University. The statue of Helen Snow was inaugurated on November 11, 2009, and the then Mayor of Cedar, Mr. Sherrett, who facilitated and presided over the construction of the statue, previously served as president of Southern Utah University for 15 years.
American students marveled at the story of Helen Snow, the "great man around him." (Chen Mingshu/Photo)
The students were shocked to hear Helen Snow's story. They did not expect that this statue, which they passed by almost every day, stood at the entrance of the city park, had such a broad story behind it, and had such a deep relationship between the Chinese and American people. A classmate said, "This is the most interesting story and the most meaningful lesson I have ever heard." ”
Teacher Chen said to the students: "You all want to know more about China, today I know the story behind the statue of Helen Snow, I suggest you read the book "Red Star Shines on China" to further understand Edgar Snow and understand the history of China and the Chinese revolution." ”
In the eyes of American students, in this class, teacher Chen Mingshu explained the Chinese directions, but also pointed out a "direction" for American students who love China and like Chinese culture.
Source: China Youth Daily client