Sunday, June 22, 2008

Comics from China

I'm sure all of you know the earthquake which rocked Sichuan Province in China last May.

I got this email from David, and was crying after I read it. It's really amazing how the human race can come together as one unit in times of adversity and overcome obstacles. It's even more amazing when we read about the overwhelming testament of love.

This email originated from Coco Wang, a China born comic strip artist, who is super talented. Here is her letter to all:

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Hello. This is Coco Wang.
As you know the breaking news of 5.12 Earthquake in China, almost all the TV channels in China are broadcasting 24 hours non-stop of every development and stories of all the rescue operations in all damaged locations.
I don't know how much information the BBC or any UK media received from us, I imagine the UK audiences were presented with the major developments of the incident, but you are probably unaware of many important and inside details which are only known to people inside China.
The amount of incredibly moving stories of victims, rescuers, and volunteers is simply shocking at the moment. I have been collecting newspapers of all the stories, and telling them in the form of comic strips. I hope these stories could show the UK readers the love, warmth and courage of the Chinese people, also the sad and cruel reality of the horrible 5.12 Earthquake.
I am back home in Beijing now. Thousands of heart-breaking stories are happening 24 hours non-stop everyday, some are so sad that you can hardly bear, some are incredibly moving that you just can't stop crying... I wanted to go to the front to help with all those people, some of my friends have already gone there, but I heard that the traffic needed to be kept totally clear for rescue transportation at the moment, people like me without knowledge of first-aid and experience of rescue operations going there now would cause choas and trouble... but I can't just sit at home and do nothing, I have been crying my eyes out in the past three days, I have never felt more proud of my country and people... their love, courage and kindness rock me to my core! I have decided to tell these touching stories by drawing comics. I am going to send you comic strips almost everyday from now on, I hope you could know something about the earthquake in China, although you don't have to do anything, but I hope you could feel our love and hope.

Thank you all so much.
Coco Wang












For some more of her comic strips, you can go *here*. She uploads new ones as time goes by, so be sure to check it out. You'll be surprised by the resilience of the Chinese people and I assure you, even the toughest person would not be able to hold back tears..