Internationalist
Rey Casambre of Philippine Peace Center (PPC) said that Hinton’s internationalism was credited to her husband Engst, brother Bill and sister Jean. Bill and Engst shared a rented room in Cornell University where they both studied. Bill became friends with Engst and later on with Hinton, too.
Bill was the first one who went to China in 1937. He observed land reform at work and later wrote his own account of land reform in a village in China. His accounts were published into a book titled “Fanshen” that became a bestseller. It chronicles the land reform process in the northern Chinese village called Long Bow where Bill participated in the 1940s.
On the other hand, Engst worked for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Association as an agricultural and dairy specialist to the Chinese government since 1946.
Casambre added that behind their internationalism was also the role of their parents. Hinton’s family was progressives. Hinton’s father, Sebastian, was a patent lawyer who invented the jungle gym or monkey bars. Her mother Carmelita was a teacher and founder of The Putney School, an independent progressive coed high school in Southern Vermont. Jean Rosner, Hinton’s elder sister, was a civil rights and peace activist.
Casambre also shared a portion from the book “Silage Choppers and Snakes Spirits: The Lives and Struggles of Two Americans in Modern China” by Dao Yuan Chou published by Ibon Books.
During the surge of fascism, Engst, Bill and Joan were young adults who just wanted to pursue a career. Engst then was determined to take up medicine and not even thinking about agriculture. On the other hand, Bill, who read about the Russian revolution at the age of 12, was not even thinking of the revolution because he was a pacifist. Hinton was more interested in experimental physics. It was that time when Jean told them “you cannot just stand there and watch or go pursue your own personal career — there has to be a struggle against fascism.” And this exhortation by Hinton’s eldest guided them when they decided to go to China.
Casambre said it is their humility that led them to China and used their skills to help make the Chinese people’s lives better.
Casambre also added that Hinton once told him that the Philippines is at the forefront of the people’s struggle. He said that the challenge to the Filipino people is “not only to fight for national liberation and social emancipation but for us to realize that this struggle is part of a bigger struggle and that struggle is the struggle for a better world, a struggle for socialism and beyond.”
Dear Comrade Joan
Hinton died of a lingering illness last June 8, she was 88. Many Filipino activists mourned her death and gave high honor to a dear comrade.
Hinton became close to the hearts of Filipino activists not only because of her socialist point of view and internationalism. Hinton joined the Filipino people in their struggle against imperialism; she marched together with Filipino activists under the heat during the People’s Caravan against Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 1996. She was with Bill when she also delivered a paper in the workshop on Women and Globalization of the People’s Campaign against Imperialist Globalization when the APEC summit was held in the Philippines.
Hinton also developed friendships with Filipino activists. A teary eyed Rina Anastacio of Migrante International recalled some memories during Hinton’s stay here in the Philippines. She said that Hinton never complained during that long march in 1996. “We peed behind the bushes, slept inside the jeepney and took a bath in a small makeshift bathroom. She endured the heat, the lack of facilities, the lack of sleep and hunger. Whenever we bumped into each other in that long march she would always greet us with ‘Isn’t this great?’ Her optimism and enthusiasm in that long march as well as her brother Bill’s was not only amusing but also infectious.”
Gabriela called Hinton a “sister-in-struggle.” During Hinton’s stay here in the Philippines, she and Bill met with the members of Gabriela and mothers from their communities. “We remember Joan by searing through our hearts, kindling revolutionary hope and keeping the flame of struggle burning alive.”
Hinton called herself an “indomitable optimist.” “For 30 years in China I lived the future. Eventually socialism will certainly sweep capitalism off this earth and with it the oppression of all people including women,” she once said.
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) described her as a “bubbling irresistible fighter” who continued to integrate with the Chinese people.
“The Filipino people’s struggle for national and social liberation and for socialist revolution was close to her heart. She became very close to Filipino comrades. She had a special interest and close friendship with Filipino women comrades,” said Luis Jalandoni, the NDFP’s chief international representative, in a tribute to Hinton.
Joan (middle) with husband Erwin Engst (left) in China, April 1949. (Photo courtesy of wiudwing.blogspot.com)
The Communist Party of the Philippines said Hinton will continue to serve as an inspiration to the oppressed Chinese, Filipino, American and other peoples, and to all victims of imperialist globalization, semi-colonial and semi-feudal oppression and capitalist restoration. “Her memory will forever be etched in the hearts of the world’s proletariat as they continue to carry forward their historic mission to put an end to capitalism, build socialism and achieve communism.”
In his poem entitled “What Makes a Hero,” Prof. Jose Maria Sison wrote:
“Whatever is the manner of death,
there is a common denominator
a hero serves the people
to his very last breath.”
Tapang, of Agham, said that remembering Hinton is best done by emulating her. “A woman, a scientist and an internationalist devoted to improving not just the Chinese people’s future but the rest of humanity as well through her practice of making science serve the people and her example of selfless internationalism.” (Bulatlat.com)
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