NORFOLK, Va.—Karen Greenhalgh, a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Chrysler Hall on Jan. 14.
“We need to make sure that the persecution stops, and you can’t stop something unless you know there’s a problem.”
Yet, for thousands of years, Chinese people were very spiritual and believed that their culture was a gift from the heavens.
Shen Yun is dedicated to reviving these traditions and showcasing to the world, through dance and music, the beauty of China before communism.
Referring to the spirituality presented in the show, Ms. Greenhalgh said that as a Christian, she “understands the power of love and compassion and the times we’re facing right now.”
“It truly is a struggle between good and evil,” she said. “I’m just really, really pleased to have seen the story [presented in Shen Yun.] Nowadays, the world is not that peaceful.”
“I smiled the whole time—just the beauty—when I was growing up, that’s how I saw China. Now we don’t see that side anymore. When we think of China, we think dark, and we think violence. It shouldn’t be that way. We need to get China back to where it was.
“This sort of beauty and wholesomeness—it was very dramatic. I’m so glad that I was here,” she said.
Moreover, Ms. Greenhalgh believes that Shen Yun is helping people to see the truth about modern society.
“We’re all so busy at work and with our families and our lives. We don’t stop and think about things that are really important. This definitely makes you stop and think,” she said.
“When I was a child, people knew right from wrong. Some people would choose to make bad decisions, but they knew they were doing something that they shouldn’t. Now, it’s as though it’s all confused. So to see people stand up and say there is good and evil, and there is right and wrong, and we’re all responsible for the decisions that we make—I think that’s the most powerful part of this story.”
If given the chance, Ms. Greenhalgh said she would love to meet Shen Yun’s performers.
“I wish I could meet them and shake their hands. I wish I’d had an opportunity to meet every one of them. I appreciate what they’re doing, and their skill is amazing,” she said.
“I appreciate that they’re choosing to put their skill here. They could perform anywhere, but they chose to be a part of this program and I’m glad that they have.”
