Silent Cry in the Darkness: The Story of a Life Cut Short by the Chinese Communist Regime

Former actress learns the painful truth of how her landowning uncle became a prisoner of the state after the communists took control of China in 1949

An undated photo of Zhang Deji. In 1954, Zhang was imprisoned as a result of his status as a landlord during a period when land owners and other "counterrevolutionaries" were persecuted by the communist party after it seized power. Zhang died 20 years later while at labor camp. Provided by Kechun Li

Kechun Li, a former actress from China, shares below a story about her uncle who suffered and died under the communist regime after its rise to power in 1949. Li was inspired to share her uncle’s story because she believes the world should know the truth about the evils of communism and the crimes committed by the Chinese communist regime against millions of innocent people in China. Her writing has been edited for clarity. 

Photo of Kechun Li, 2018. Provided by Kechun Li