To become self-aware, people must be allowed to hear a plurality of opinions and then make up their own minds. They must be allowed to say, write and publish whatever they want. Freedom of expression is the most basic, but fundamental, right. Without it, human beings are reduced to automatons.
Interpretation
Self-awareness is achieved through diverse opinions and the freedom to express oneself.
In this quote, Ma Jian emphasizes the importance of freedom of expression as a fundamental human right that enables individuals to develop self-awareness. He argues that when people are exposed to a variety of opinions and allowed to express their thoughts freely, they are empowered to think critically and form their own identities; without such freedoms, they risk becoming mindless automatons, lacking individuality and depth of thought.
In practice
This quote could be used during a speech advocating for free speech rights.
After the Tiananmen Massacre, I felt compelled not only to continue writing but to actively resist the restrictions placed on freedom of speech. I set up the publishing company in Hong Kong, with offices in Shenzhen in mainland China, and managed to publish works of fiction, philosophy, and politics by unapproved authors.
Before the counter-culture revolutionary Li Lian was executed in 1971 for criticising the Cultural Revolution, pour policemen pushed her face against the window of a truck, lifted her shirt and cut out her kidneys with a surgical knife,’ Mau Sen said, his face stony and white. ‘I think that removing the organs of convicts while they are still alive is too much. It completely contravenes medical ethics.’ ‘This is a dissection class, not a political meeting,’ Sun Chunlin said.
The most important questions of life are indeed, for the most part, really only problems of probability.
I care not where my body may take me as long as my soul is embarked on a meaningful journey.
I have long since passed that period when I felt personal discomfort at the sight of an ill-dressed or illiterate Negro. Social awareness has taught me where to lay the blame.
If efforts to do social work are couched in selfish motives, then they will die a premature death. Why would my efforts get politicised? I have values I inherited from my father. He helped many. Anyone, even a postman knocking on our door would get a glass of water and some sweets.
The history of women is the history of the worst form of tyranny the world has ever known. The tyranny of the weak over the strong. It is the only tyranny that lasts.
I have no illusions concerning the precarious status of my tales and do not expect to become a serious competitor of my favorite weird authors.
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