Unraveling the Legacy: A Glimpse into the American Odyssey of Song Renqiong’s Descendants
The American Life of the Descendants of Song Renqiong’s Family
In a quiet suburb of Ann Arbor, Michigan, a middle-aged Chinese woman named Song Zhaozhao lives a simple life. She is a nurse at the University of Michigan Hospital, with an annual salary of about $82,000. Her husband, Alan, works for Ford Motor. Despite their ordinary appearance, Song Zhaozhao and her siblings are part of China’s top aristocracy.
A Revolutionary Family
Their father, General Song Renqiong, was a senior Communist Party official who fell from grace in 1968. After Mao’s death in 1976, he returned to the national leadership and became one of the party’s “Eight Immortals.” Five of his eight children live in the United States, with three daughters already U.S. citizens and one son holding a U.S. green card.
A New Life in America
The Song siblings found opportunities in America, not only for education and business but also to escape the chaos and persecution caused by the Cultural Revolution. They live simple lives under assumed names, closer to the welfare of the masses and the egalitarian values their parents fought for. Unlike other red families, they do not pursue privileges and wealth.
Patched Pants and Red Guards
Song Kehuang, Song Zhaozhao’s older brother, recalls his school days in the 1950s and 1960s, when they competed to see who had more patches on their pants. Their sister, Song Binbin, was a famous Red Guard during the Cultural Revolution. She later moved to the United States, graduated from MIT, and worked for the Massachusetts government.
Dealing with Historical Issues
Song Binbin returned to China a decade ago to address her history, defending herself in an essay published this year. She acknowledged the collective disregard for life during the Cultural Revolution and hoped that China would never see such turmoil again.
San Francisco and E-commerce
Song Zhenzhen, another sister, lives in San Francisco and has founded her own e-commerce startup focused on online payments. She believes in being herself and not needing to read other people’s expressions. She has spent the past 20 years in the San Francisco Bay Area, jumping from the tech industry to the private sector.
Two Cultures
Miller Song, the patriarch of the Song family, says that his grandfather taught him to be careful about his relationships and power. He was told not to tell anyone about his family’s background, lest he receive special treatment. Miller Song has lived in both China and the United States, borrowing $10,000 from his parents to start a company that makes plastic dolls and personalized T-shirts.
Paris Debutante Ball
The Song family is still part of China’s elite, with many members growing up together. Chen Yuan, the son of Chen Yun, sent both of his children to high school in the United States. His daughter, Chen Xiaodan, made her debut at the 2006 Debutante Ball in Paris in a fuchsia Oscar de la Renta gown.
Fewer Visits to China
Song Zhaozhao has been returning to China less often since her parents passed away. She likes Ann Arbor’s diversity and culture and doesn’t know if she will ever return to China. She voted for Obama because she saw the economic and real estate recovery in Ann Arbor and because he ended the Iraq War. However, when asked about Chinese politics, she evaded the question.
A Simple Life
Song Zhaozhao’s family taught her never to use their power or connections for her own benefit. She lives her life like everyone else, without seeking special treatment or privileges. Despite their aristocratic background, the Song family has chosen a simple life in America, far from the chaos and persecution of their past.