Florence (16) - During China's Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), public enemies were publicly denounced.  These included Capitalist Roaders (the bourgeoisie, capitalists), Landlords and Rich Farmers, Counter-revolutionaries and Bad Elements (threats to public order and socialist ideology), Rightists, "Stinking North" (intellectuals, teachers, writers, scientists, educators. Four Olds (old customs, old culture, old habits, old ideas).

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         Ruth and her husband Zheng-zing fitted into many categories of the enemies list.  She was a devout Christian, her husband worked for many years at the American Embassy.  Both of them were highly educated.  Many at that time destroyed any evidence, including their books, precious antiques, old letters, etc.

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         One day someone walked by Ruth's front gate, and noticed a jar used as a doorstop.  They accused the jar was as relic of the past, and publicly denounced and persecuted Ruth and Zheng-zing.  They were chased out of their own house, their possessions confiscated.  Ruth and Zheng-xing were forced to live in a toilet.  Ruth's hair was shaved off, and she was given the ob of sweeping the streets. 

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         During the winter, Florence knew here parents did not have warm clothes.  She did not dare approach her parents directly.  She contacted Fu-chuan's older brother's grandson, who lived in Huang Tsuin as a farmer and therefore was free from suspicion, to ask him to  deliver money and warm clothes to her  parents in the middle of the night..  Ruth and Zheng-zing lived in the toilet for seven years.

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          After Cultural Revolution ended, Ruth and Zheng-ting were allocated a tiny room in Beijing to live in  Living space was based on your background and number of people.