The first time I meet Han MeiMei, we were standing on my deck in Vermont. She looked at the fields around my house and she said, ‘That’s a lot of fields. Have you ever thought of writing messages to airplanes?’ I had not thought of this.
Han is a brain scientist. She studies the nature of memory, and she’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever met. She grew up in a state-run factory compound in Guilin, in southeast China’s Guangxi province. Everyone who worked there lived there, and shopped there, and the children were educated in schools there. Han was born in 1984, soon after China had decided to open itself to more economic engagement with the international economy. But she was also a second child when second children were not allowed in China.
We talked about growing up in China, and what she learned about China after she left. And why she’s chosen to spend her life asking questions that may never be answered in her lifetime.
Notes
Thank you as always to Tobin Anderson.
Music credits I cannot pronounce:
An excellent Little Tiger Team video that you must watch:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7hbYLaD-FY
Han is not her real name. A lot of what she says in this conversation would be considered censorable in China, and she wanted to protect her privacy.
Playlist from show:
1. “Fly, butterfly!” by The Little Tigers Team
2. “Our life is full of sunshine” by Yu Shuzhen
3. “Songs and smiles” by The Milkyway Youth Art Troupe
4. “Flowing water ” by Guan Pinghu
5. “The waters and clouds of Xiaoxiang” by Wu Jinglue
6. “For ten years, the river runs east; for ten years, the river runs west” by Wutiaoren
I also hate when people ask ‘how are you?’ and I’m American. I wonder what it is like to live between worlds like this, after learning some of the complicated history of her country after arriving here. I worry that I’d be lonely but it seems like her curiosity keeps her company and that goes with her everywhere. Thank you for this story.
Great story and music! I love getting insights into how others grew up so much different than I did. It was so refreshing to hear how others embraced her rather than stigmatized her for being the second child. I wonder if she would consider doing a playlist of Chinese music that we could all enjoy. I would love to hear more…..
That is a great idea Mike. I will ask!
This is a brilliant episode. Everyone should listen to it! Thank you Erica and Han.
Wow, another great episode. Meimei’s story in Guilin and Florida was fascinating.
It made me laugh when Meimei mentioned in her story that she felt odd whenever people greeted her with “how are you (doing)”.
When someone greeted me this, I had to pause for a few seconds, searching my mind, thought about it but always responded with “good”, sometimes I felt guilty with this “good” answer. How are you doing? This is not an easy question for us to answer-:)
The story and the well selected music brought me back to my childhood, appreciate it.
I recommend anyone who is interested about 1980’s China to read Paul Theroux’s insightful book on China:
Riding the Iron Rooster: By train through China.
Erica did an excellent job to let Meimei unfold her story.
Thank you Erica and Meimei for such a great episode.
Kindest Regards,
from Shanghai
hello! is there any chance we could get the playlist? if that’s okay? (unfortunately i don’t speak any kind of chinese so i couldn’t look them up :((.) :)) this episode was very insightful. han meimei’s vivid retelling and your questions hit several nails on the head. i especially loved the parting segment, mainly because it can speak to anyone, really: “i decided that knowing the answers to these questions are the most worthy of my time. this is how i want to spend my time.” that statement is such a delight to hear, coming from han and the need to make sense of everything else. i hope she’s doing well and isn’t being so bombarded with small talks (or at the very least, i hope she can have handy strategies to avoid them!). thank you!`
Yes! I will put together a playlist. Thanks so much for your comments Sel…
Here it is!
Playlist from show:
1. “Fly, butterfly!” by The Little Tigers Team
2. “Our life is full of sunshine” by Yu Shuzhen
3. “Songs and smiles” by The Milkyway Youth Art Troupe
4. “Flowing water ” by Guan Pinghu
5. “The waters and clouds of Xiaoxiang” by Wu Jinglue
6. “For ten years, the river runs east; for ten years, the river runs west” by Wutiaoren
I so loved this endearing episode! Hearing Han’s narrative style and voice was such a joy! The chocolate rabbit tale was just hilarious (I mean, it was PALM-sized!), and I hope that many more people get a chance to listen to her experiences growing up in China as the 2nd daughter. Erica, your show is magic and you have a real gift for holding space for others so that they may speak their true self into something shareable. Your podcast allows people to do something that just doesn’t happen these days — to actually listen to another human being without interrupting them, and that is a rare treasure! THANK YOU for continuing to do what you do – I am certain that your podcast is soon to catch like wildfire.