The sensational “Ten Jumps” of Foxconn employee has become a bustling motif after people’s dinner these days. The reason of a simple suicide case may be ascribed to emotional vacillation. However, the consecutive events of such kind can not just be subsumed glibly to the first category, but, as a matter of fact, a malaise towards the whole society caused by class polarization.
Unlike those nonchalant dignitaries, the status of an ordinary Chinese currently, especially those called “nongminggong” by citizens, usually with a derisive tone, is equal to helplessness as well as inferiority when confronted with an autocratic and unwieldy leviathan. Working thirteen hours a day in sordid conditions, most of them are suffering from not only physical devastation, but also mental torture. In my opinion, it is the diligent and docile disposition of most Chinese people that buffers the grievance from the low-rank under the taut ambiance. We can hardly imagine what the situation would be like if a same case is transplanted in other country.
Sometimes, psychological hurt can lead to more serious consequence than maim in a work accident and the former is usually fatal. The tragedy mentioned is the best exemplification. As a result, according to someone’s logic, they have no choice but to culminate their life. Meanwhile, religion proffers a shelter for other helpless as a recess for their psyche. Linking this event with what I have seen in the church several weeks before, I gradually come to know why there were so many youngsters beyond my previous imagination coming to the Mass in the interval of their busy life.
It was not long ago in one of the several lazy Sundays when I walked to the International Communion on Hengshan Road by underground with a friend of mine. To be candid, the plan was not prearranged but a whim in the previous night. My grandma is a pious protestant who always attempts to convert me when I visit her. Since I have entered a prestigious local university four years ago, she then often regards this as the blessing of Jesus. Therefore, she always asks me to go to the church for gratitude to the God. To me, I really like to go because to take a look at the exquisite décor of the church and the holy ritual is my early hope. However, this idea stayed on my mouth for years, which is not perfunctory reply to her but a lack of time in reality.
Scorching and dry, that Sunday was not a pleasant day to make such a trip. Even though, when I walked out from the metro station, I can still ensure some prayer words of the priest at a 500-metre distance. Despite of its fame as one of the several main protestant churches in Shanghai, the International Communion had an unobtrusive gate, just like a small cleft amid the wall. As green newcomers, we gingerly walked in. It was still early in the morning, but to those who have a firm belief in God and go to Mass every weekend, it was late. By the time we reached the church, the only garden and backyards were rounded by hundreds of people, the elder as well as the younger. I was surprised to see so many people similar to my own age because I have never expected to estimate the huge influence of Christianity towards these people. Eyes downcast, everybody in the garden held a Bible, praying for forgiveness of their sin. We walked slowly along the path that surrounded an imposing cedar, listening to the forthcoming ode. There were still people entering after, who walked to the back hall and carried out a stool tacitly. We followed them and took our own. Since the space was quite cramped, we found at last a small place beside the windowsill of the church and seated.
Here, for the first time I had the opportunity to observe the façade and the inner structure of the church building. At a glance it was an ordinary house with western style, quite common in this district which used to be a French Concession. But if you take a second look, you will find the exquisite bricks of the outer wall. Built for decades and weathered badly, the nostalgic color still had its charisma in the 21st century. At the same time I was quite curious about its destiny in the Cultural Revolution. Since there were too many people outside, the people inside the church can be roughly imagined. By estimation, the auditorium can hold 500 people, but the actual number had beyond that number for a long time by virtue of the people standing at the corridor and the flanks on the second floor.
(To be continued)