CNHRA PERSON RECORD · CNHRA-P-013588
Yu Luoke
Biography
Yu Luoke was a young Beijing worker and writer whose On Family Background challenged political judgments based on family origin.[1][2]
On Family Background examines the effects of parental political status on education, military service, employment and admission to Red Guard organizations. Yu rejects judging young people solely through their parents, distinguishes family and social influences from individual choices, and argues for assessment through conduct. The 2001 English translation states, “Social influence far exceeds family influence.” He also invokes Marxist arguments and Mao’s writings to discuss personal agency and political treatment across family backgrounds.[1]
The 2001 translation’s publication note dates the first draft to August 1966, revision to November and first publication to January 18, 1967 in the inaugural issue of the Journal of Middle Schools Cultural Revolution.[1]
Case Summary
Timeline
1967-01-18
Essay first published, according to the translation’s note
The 2001 translation’s note dates first publication in the Journal of Middle Schools Cultural Revolution to this day, following drafting in August 1966 and revision in November. The essay challenges political ranking by parental status.[1]
Related Events
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-811663M.E. Sharpe / Contemporary Chinese Thought
Evidence location: Essay text: family background, individual evaluation and equality; Main text, including Social Influence vs. Family Influence, The Issue of Laying Stress on Behavior, and discussion of work and political treatment; PDF pages 3–9.
- [2]
CNHRA-S-556368Osaka University
Evidence location: Biographical entry: 1942–1970 and execution on March 5, 1970; ambiguous wording about 1968 sentencing is not adopted.