Exploration 4: Lilyan Eldadah

Part One: The thing that struck me the as the most important to remember and lard about the Tiananmen Square protest of 1989 was the cruel punishments that were given to civilians, when the things they did weren't even that bad. For instance journalist Yu Dongyue went to prison for seventeen years for throwing paint at a portrait of Mao Zedong. I just don't understand how the government or person in charge could think of putting someone in jail with murderers and criminals, because he threw paint at a portrait. That punishment, along with many others given to other civilians, is harsh and unusual, and I think that this is important to understand to know how bad the Tiananmen Square protests.

Part Two:

This picture displays the dead bodies entangled in the bicycles by Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. I found this picture really effective because it helps people see how gruesome and terrible the massacre really was. There were bodies just laying around and it's not like those children on their bikes were doing anything harmful, but they were killed and left to rot in the streets for family and friends to see. I find this really disgusting because there was no humanity in the people who did this to the young children, and it really helped me understand how cruel the massacre was in Tiananmen Square.

This picture displays the student-led boycotts against China's violation of political will on Hong Kong's authority. Students, along with many others, were mad about China's decision to allow only Beijing people to run for Hong Kong's top civil position as chief executive. I found this photo effective because it helps people understand that this issue is personal to many people who felt that what China was doing was wrong. It also helps portray how strong-willed the students are, who are risking their lives to make sure justice is maintained.