Paper Tiger

Recalling adolescent activism…

.

Anton: A friend I found recently on social media I had known wrote a poem. Back in the mid-60s, at university.

.

Paul: About you?

Mai Long, 1958:
Chinese poster

.

Anton: He referred to me as a tiger. But “a paper tiger”.

.

Paul: Like you weren’t a real tiger?

.

Anton: But he finished it with “Then we saw this paper tiger had atomic teeth.” At the time I thought it was a most original metaphor for my wannabe activism.

.

Paul: And then you found out that it was a Mao metaphor.

.

Anton: Yes. It hadn’t been such an original poem after all. Perhaps he meant that my activism wasn’t so original either.

___________

Voice-over

Mao’s reference to paper tiger in 1956 was to reactionaries, American imperialism, the atomic bomb. Called them paper tigers meaning they weren’t as dangerous as they looked. But the bomb, well that could be dangerous. Hence the Khrushchevian reference to atomic teeth.

Propaganda poster by Mai Long from 1958. Man wearing a tiger’s mask and holding an American flag. Chinese farmers, soldiers and workers ridiculing him.

...

Russian General addresses the Silk Animal Circus

I'm going to disband circuses...

Announcement…

.

General: I'll tell you this. I have a plan. It's a great plan. I'm going to disband circuses.

.

(Circus animals murmuring… Ukraine… turning backs on General…walking out)

I'll be invading Ukraine again soon...

.

General: I heard that. Don’t think you’re safe there. I’ll be invading Ukraine again soon.

_______

Voice-over

A trusted source reports that the Silk Animal Circus left China because they opposed unending rule and were seen as a political threat. Now they’re leaving Russia. Moving on. Life is not simple any more. Well, maybe some things don’t change. Many leaders hang on to power.

Tactical maneuvre: So, the Silk Animal Circus which dominated culture is leaving Russia. The General will discontinue the cultural portfolio and take over circus management himself.

...

Russian Military Meets Chinese Circus

In a grand hall…

.

Russian General: They’re all getting along well.

.

Chinese Rabbit Ringleader: All our performers speak Russian.

.

Russian General: That is fortunate.

.

Chinese Rabbit Ringleader: Even if Russians do not speak Chinese.

.

Russian General: That will no doubt come. For now we must present a union against the madness of Washington.

.

Four hours later…

.

Russian General: A good party, dah?

.

Chinese Rabbit Ringleader: But a bit much vodka, she ma? None of your men, from colonel, lieutenant, sergeant to private couldn’t manage it.

.

Russian General: And none of your troup! Odin iz nikh!

___________

Voice-over

Matryoshka dolls were traditionally babushka. But this set features five military ranks from general to private. And the Chinese silk animals, after surviving Mao from fifty years ago, couldn’t outperform the Russians in talking and toasting.

...