Healing through Memory 🧠: The Impact of the Nanjing Massacre Memorial on Community Recovery
Deep Dive with Estelle 💬
In this article Estelle discusses post conflict communities. She is a student journalist with us on a placement organised by the Department of War Studies, King's College, London. This article was edited using Lex.page.
🎧 listen to Estelle’s backstory here - she discusses her motivation & research as well.
Journey to reconciliation: Nanjing Massacre Memorial Museum
In history, there are threads that weave tales of resilience amidst suffering emerge, like the Nanjing Massacre, a chapter etched in human tragedy. The Nanjing Massacre Memorial Museum offers hope within this past. Visitors embark on a poignant journey through exhibits bearing witness to war atrocities. Photographs freeze heart-wrenching loss, while artifacts speak of untold stories. Each display offers a glimpse into human resilience and a stark reminder of conflict horrors. Visitors confront the weight of history and the imperative of remembrance. As we explore post-conflict community recovery, we delve into the impact of this institution, not just as a repository, but as a catalyst for healing and reconciliation.
The Nanjing Massacre in 1937, during the Second Sino-Japanese War, is a significant event in Chinese and world history. No official death toll exists, but estimates range from 200,000 to 300,000. The massacre stands as a testament to human cruelty and resilience. Japanese forces unleashed atrocities upon Nanjing in six weeks, leaving a trail of devastation and despair. The scars of this event, known as the Rape of Nanjing, run deep in the physical landscape and collective memory.
Many Nanjing Massacre survivors share harrowing experiences through interviews, shedding light on the enduring emotional toll. Their stories blend with those of ordinary citizens, making it challenging for the public to grasp their suffering. The narratives serve as reminders of the impact of historical atrocities and post-conflict healing complexities. Their willingness to recount trauma is a testament to resilience amid tragedy.
In the western world, there's more focus on researching and treating survivors. Since WWII, various fields have studied emotional confusion, family relationships, delayed response to trauma, and intergenerational transmission of historical trauma. In clinical treatment, there have been advancements in therapies and social measures. In Chinese society, more emphasis is placed on providing material aid rather than addressing trauma healing. The number of survivors is decreasing as they age, so there will be fewer living testimonies to inform future generations. Perpetrators also require trauma treatments, as many continue to suffer from war effects.
The healing journey after such trauma is challenging and has a lasting impact on survivors, many of whom continue to grapple with PTSD. The psychological scars manifest in various ways, affecting daily lives and relationships. Flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety are common symptoms experienced by survivors. The trauma has led to a deep sense of mistrust and isolation, making it challenging for them to connect with others and rebuild. The descendants also bear the burden of inherited trauma, complicating the healing process. The intergenerational transmission of historical trauma has resulted in psychological issues that hinder healing. The shame and stigma associated with the Nanjing Massacre perpetuate silence and suffering. Addressing the mental health needs of survivors is crucial for healing and reconciliation. Awareness and support for PTSD among survivors and their descendants are essential. Initiatives providing mental health resources, counseling, and community support can help. Societal acknowledgment and commemoration of the survivors' experiences are vital in validating their pain and honoring their resilience. Public recognition of the psychological toll of the Nanjing Massacre can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the lasting effects of historical trauma.
Amidst the rubble, the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Museum stands as a testament to the resilience of the Nanjing people and their commitment to remembrance and reconciliation. Founded on truth, compassion, and justice, and is a sanctuary for survivors and a beacon of hope for future generations.
The Museum serves as a catalyst for healing and reconciliation. It provides a space for survivors to confront their past, share their stories, and find solace in collective memory. Within its walls, visitors embark on a journey through exhibits bearing witness to war atrocities. Photographs capture moments of loss, while artifacts speak of untold stories. Each display offers a glimpse into human resilience and serves as a stark reminder of conflict horrors. The museum promotes dialogue and reconciliation through educational programs, exhibitions, and outreach initiatives to create spaces for reflection, conversation, and healing. By bringing together survivors, descendants, scholars, and activists, it fosters solidarity and empathy, transcending cultural and generational divides. The museum empowers survivors to reclaim their voices and agency in history through oral history projects, testimonies, and community engagement, sharing their stories and honoring the fallen while reaffirming their resilience.
Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, also known as the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, is situated on Jiangdongmen Street and founded in 1985. This location was where Japanese soldiers buried thousands of bodies, referred to as the Mass Grave of 10,000 Corpses. The museum is constructed using grey-white marble and black-white granite, creating a solemn atmosphere. It incorporates historical relics, sculpture, architecture, photography, and documents to depict the atrocities committed by the Japanese Forces of Aggression and their impact on the Chinese people. The Memorial Hall is divided into four areas: the exhibition area, the memorial area, the Peace Park, and the collection exchange area. It functions as a historical and memorial site, offering a unique emotional experience. The Memorial Hall preserves three mass massacre burial sites, reflecting a dark chapter in history. Visitors can ring the Peace Bell, view the names of the victims on the Wall, and stroll through the Peace Park. Memorials shape collective memories and histories. While monuments celebrate triumphs and heroes, they pay tribute to those who perished under tragic circumstances, providing a solemn space for reflecting on the sacrifices, wounds, and tragedies that have influenced our identities as a nation and community.
Anger over the events at Nanjing still affects Sino-Japanese relations. The true nature has been disputed and exploited for propaganda by those who want to revise history, defend the actions, or promote nationalism in Japan. Some claim the death toll is exaggerated, while others deny it. “Remembering Nanjing 2009” was a workshop that focused on the massacre with participants from China, Japan, and Korea, using the Healing the Wounds of History program. Thirty participants visited the memorial museum, listened to a survivor’s account, and engaged in open-hearted dialogue using drama and other techniques to express their desire for peace. Many experienced emotional release and a sense of relief, showing that the workshop achieved its goal. The healing of historical wounds requires descendants of victims and perpetrators to grieve together. People carry their ancestors’ pain, and until it is acknowledged and mourned, the legacy continues. At the Nanjing Massacre memorial, it was primarily the third generation expressing the grief passed down through their families. Sometimes it takes a few generations for a culture to fully process a collective experience. It is crucial to understand how nations and cultures navigate perpetration, victimization, and collective trauma. Through this workshop, people break the taboo against discussing these issues, humanize each other through their personal stories, explore and take responsibility for the potential for perpetration, delve deeply into grief, create performances and rituals to remember the victims, and commit to acts of creation or service. The museums and monuments in Nanjing hold sacred significance as they are dedicated to the victims and citizens, and they contribute to the healing of the trauma embedded in people’s hearts.
The Nanjing Massacre Memorial Museum stands as a testament to the power of memory to heal wounds and inspire change. Let's reaffirm our commitment to a future guided by compassion, understanding, and peace as we bear witness to the pain and resilience of the Nanjing people. May we find the strength to create a path toward reconciliation and healing, honoring the past while embracing a brighter tomorrow.
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