Ties That Bind, Ties That Break

by Lensey Namioka

‘‘Respect!’’ cried Mother’s voice. ‘‘Children owe respect to their parents! We don’t have to earn it!’’

The phrase learn how to walk on bound feet was what struck me the hardest. I suddenly realized that I would never walk naturally again.

Generations of girls had to suffer excruciating pain because somebody unknown had decreed that big feet were unacceptable in upper-class society. It was high time that somebody tried to stop this senseless practice. I was proud that Xueyan and I were among the first to rebel.

Traditionally the strongest weapon that a Chinese woman had was suicide.