Interview with Shu Qingyou

Shu Qingyou (b.1930) is a resident of Shuangjing Village, Shuangjing Town, Xupu County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province. In this interview, Shu recalls experiences during the Land Reform, Great Leap Forward, and Great Famine. When Land Reform began in 1950, he was the squadron leader of the militiamen and was in charge of the military equipment; together with the new team, he criticized the landlords and divided their possessions. During the Great Leap Forward, the yield was falsely reported as a result of proneness to boasting and exaggeration. He remembers that some one made a complaint and was then critized on the same night. Later there was no food when eating at the People’s Communal canteen, the Commune members ate secretly while the cadres snatched the food, and the ordinary folks also stole everywhere. Many people got the edema disease, and those almost starving to death were sent to the elder’s home for treatment, most of who died as well.

舒清友1930年出生，是湖南省怀化市溆浦县双井镇双井村的村民。在这段口述中，舒老人回忆了土改，大跃进以及大饥荒期间的经历。1950年土改开始后，他是民兵中队长，负责管武装，和新班子一起清算地主、分财产。大跃进时因为浮夸风都虚报产量。他记得有人发了句牢骚晚上就被批斗了。后来吃食堂没有粮食，社员偷着吃干部抢着吃，老百姓也四处去偷。很多人得了水肿病，快饿死的人都被送到养老院去调养，但大部分也都死了。

Transcripts for this interview and more may be available under the ‘Documents’ link above.