That PhD Life: Propaganda in Old Nanjing

I like translating propaganda because it demonstrates the government's agenda in a clear and succinct manner. I also think it displays a sense of insecurity--because if everything was dandy, why do you need to convince people that it's right? It's extremely challenging because the Chinese often use four character phrases similar to idioms that are hard to culturally translate into English, but I'll do my best. These are pictures I took in or around my neighborhood during the past year.

"Construction in the lot...

...brings inconvenience...

...please forgive."

"Create an ancient song that will mix today's splendorous harmony with the historical and cultural tourism of classical masterpieces." They mean to say that we should mix modernity with historical culture to create something more beautiful. Read: support demolition for the creation of something better.

"Revive the old city's style; Welcome the Youth Olympics grand assembly." This propaganda is in support of the urban renewal projects around the area that built replicas of ancient Chinese architectural style. They're using the 2014 Youth Olympics as a reason to put on a better face for the visitors of the city.

"Flood control is a responsibility that is weightier than Mt. Tai; The benefit to the masses exceeds everything else."

"Thank you to the numerous residents and workers [who homes] were demolished for their understanding and support."

"Expedite Construction, Bring Benefit to the People, Take the Interests of the Whole into Account, Develop Together"

This poster is not propaganda, but rather anti-government. It reads: "In avoiding the erosion of the original inhabitants, the cultural roots of Old Nanjing are staying here to live: Oppose demolishing and evicting all of the residents of the old city, and turning our private dwellings into some sort of tourist trap and amusement park, making the historical and cultural blocks lose the traditional lifestyles and customs."

"Safety is productive. Fight to create a civilized urban construction site."

"Demolish"

"Lighten up [the city] and make this ancient city green by planting trees and flowers; Prepare a new and beautiful Nanjing

Abide by social ethics; Protect and uphold the appearance of our urban environment

Love Nanjing deeply; Launch new construction in Nanjing; Beautify Nanjing; Promote a prosperous Nanjing

Share one blue sky together; Construct a new homeland together
Build an elegant environment; Live a longer life

We can voluntarily replace the current situation with extreme cleanliness
Create a civilized city; Ride a civilized bus; Be a civilized person"

"Speak in a civilized manner. Break away with the old customs and establish the new; Let's build a new, civilized city together, hand-in-hand

The civilized Nanjingese are lovely people; If you participate too, it will be even more wonderful."

"A green Youth Olympics, a Youth Olympics with vitality, a cultural Youth Olympics"

(Behind the trees) "Put together a good Youth Olympics: Construct a New Nanjing."

“Practice '3 fights and one creation' to implement Qinhuai District's property tax development."

Left: "Preserve the People's Life, Implement Harmony, Revive the Old City, Welcome the Youth Olympics." Right: "Support the government's policies, Relocate lawfully, Hold a discussion within reason, Rationally compensate."

"Relocate According to the Law, Be Civilized and Serve, A Public and Transparent Operation Welcomes Surveillance"

This is just a picture of the above propoganda posters zoomed out to show the context.

This family's home has been marked twice. The two red faded Chinese characters in the circle say "relocate", while the bright red characters in the rectangle say "already relocated." The family has not been forced to move out yet. The white propaganda poster on the left side reads, "Expedite Construction, Bring Benefit to the People, Take the Interests of the Whole into Account, Develop Together."