A Lady in Red – (interviewed in July 2001)
The last time I conducted an exciting interview was in 1995 when Gayle Gomer and I sat to discuss how she was the first journalist to get an exclusive interview of Judge Lance Ito - the O J Simpson case.
Now, after 6 years and many interviews from celebrities to political figures, none adequately expressed purpose and spirituality like my interview of Lin Cheng. Many of you who attended the ‘Building the Kingdom’ conference in Milwaukee may recall Lin in her beautiful red gown as she played the Erhu – the Chinese violin.
The moment I saw her, I was intrigued and wanted to learn more about her, to find out if she was a Baha’i and if so how she came to learn about the faith. We informally sat at the Day Star Café and Lin graciously accepted the interview and openly shared her life with me.
It all began in China where she was born into a musical family. Lin’s mother was a Chinese Opera Singer and her father was a Chinese Director. Her parents wanted the best education for their two children in spite of the unorganized schools during the Cultural Revolution in the 60s and 70s. It wasn’t until after the 70s, when Universities started getting established, offering hope to her parents.
In lieu of the Universities, the government sent all teenagers for a secondary education, which according to Lin were in the ‘farms’. The Cheng’s did not want their only daughter to be sent to the farms, they wanted a superior education for Lin who at the age of seven, played the Erhu exceptionally well and was locally known for her talent.
At age 12, Lin’s parents sent her to the Navy Arts Academy where she discovered she could sing. The very next year, at age 13, Lin became China’s very first pop singer. In China, Lin is known as Cheng Lin and became an overnight success against old traditions. In Mainland China, there were over a billion people and almost everything was banned, regardless her fame became equivalent to that of recording artists Whitney Houston and Barbara Streisand.
In the 80s, the people of China became more independent and the government forbade Lin to continue singing. The Chinese government told Lin that it wasn’t healthy and that it represented Western Culture. So at age 14 she stopped singing. This was very difficult for her to grasp, as her songs represented innocence and freedom. Lin said, “It was exciting to be covered by the local newspaper, the New York Times, People Daily, CCTV and other TV stations and my music was loved by people aged from six year olds all they way to 60 year olds.”
At age 17, Lin was transferred to another private school to complete her education. In 1989 Lin’s boyfriend was involved with Tiananmen Square and this forced Lin to leave China. Lin ended up in Australia for a short time and later moved to Europe and then onto Paris.
Lin’s parents were devastated that she had to leave, and after several years Lin’s father passed away and Lin wasn’t even allowed to return for his funeral. Lin’s family now consisted of a younger brother who consoled their mom during this grievous time.
After Paris, Lin moved to the United States and attended UCLA where she studied music and at California State University Fullerton she studied english. She met Baha’i musicians through Tim McClain, namely, KC Porter, JB Eckl and Joe Carter. “I have never felt so loved, so special, so beautiful as I did when these Baha’i’s welcomed me with an open heart.” After 2 years Lin became a Baha’i. Lin reapplied for a Visa to China and went back home with her new CD titled, ‘Homecoming’ which was produced by Porter and Eckl.
For the past five years Lin has been living in China. The first two years she admits was difficult and she lost the trust of her government and still was invited to events. Some of the events that booked her so enthusiastically cancelled her last minute and she states that it was the government’s doing and through the years she eventually earned their trust.
Lin felt an urge to teach the faith. However, it was very difficult to teach the faith in China and Lin’s mom and brother were so worried when they found out she became a Baha’i because they thought she joined a cult and were worried about what the government was going to do to her. Lin tried to ease their worries but it wasn’t until her mom had to have a hip surgery that Baha’u’llah(1) worked his miracle. While Lin’s mom was at the hospital several fellow Baha’i’s visited Lin’s mom. The graciousness of these Baha’i’s astounded Lin’s mom who instantly declared in the hospital and said, ‘I am a Baha’i”. Later Lin’s brother asked to try on her Baha’i ring and he said, “Lin it’s stuck, I guess it’s mine now”. He has been wearing the ring for almost 2 years now.
I asked Lin what she would want Baha’i’s to know that will assist them to teach the faith. Lin said, “When you praise a person regardless of where they’re from, it makes them feel like they belong and are worthy. So, I want you to know that your open hearts, your love, your praise, made me feel so loved and accepted.”
Lin has an American boyfriend named Clark Baurer, who is an architect that works out of China and Chicago. It’s interesting to mention that Clark’s friends are Baha’i’s (Karen and Adam Robards) and one day Karen who knew Lin wanted to introduce her to Clark who worked closely with her husband, Adam who is also an architect. They met and according to Lin there was no instant attraction until later.
Clark’s parents are of the Christian faith and came to China to visit him and to meet Lin. Unfortunately, they did not approve of Lin primarily because she was a Baha’i. Lin planned a wonderful dinner and invited her very good friend Amy Ma, 1984 Olympic Gold Medallist on the uneven bars; Joseph Preyer, US Ambassador to China; and two other architects - everyone had a good time except for Clark’s mom.
Lin and Clark planned their return visit to the US so that they would attend a family wedding as well as to attend the conference in Milwaukee. Lin fell in love with Princeville where Clark’s family lives and after the wedding Clark wanted to return to Chicago but Lin wanted to go his parents’ home. They ended up going and Mrs. Baurer wouldn’t even look at her. Lin decided to speak up and she went to her and said, “I want to tell you that this is a wonderful place and you are so loving. Your home is alcohol and smoking free and I have tremendous respect for you. I respect your religion. I believe in Jesus Christ and I don’t think I’m going to hell.” Lin said that Mrs. Baurer turned and looked at her straight in the eyes and said, “I love you Lin”.
1 Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i Faith
The last time I conducted an exciting interview was in 1995 when Gayle Gomer and I sat to discuss how she was the first journalist to get an exclusive interview of Judge Lance Ito - the O J Simpson case.
Now, after 6 years and many interviews from celebrities to political figures, none adequately expressed purpose and spirituality like my interview of Lin Cheng. Many of you who attended the ‘Building the Kingdom’ conference in Milwaukee may recall Lin in her beautiful red gown as she played the Erhu – the Chinese violin.
The moment I saw her, I was intrigued and wanted to learn more about her, to find out if she was a Baha’i and if so how she came to learn about the faith. We informally sat at the Day Star Café and Lin graciously accepted the interview and openly shared her life with me.
It all began in China where she was born into a musical family. Lin’s mother was a Chinese Opera Singer and her father was a Chinese Director. Her parents wanted the best education for their two children in spite of the unorganized schools during the Cultural Revolution in the 60s and 70s. It wasn’t until after the 70s, when Universities started getting established, offering hope to her parents.
In lieu of the Universities, the government sent all teenagers for a secondary education, which according to Lin were in the ‘farms’. The Cheng’s did not want their only daughter to be sent to the farms, they wanted a superior education for Lin who at the age of seven, played the Erhu exceptionally well and was locally known for her talent.
At age 12, Lin’s parents sent her to the Navy Arts Academy where she discovered she could sing. The very next year, at age 13, Lin became China’s very first pop singer. In China, Lin is known as Cheng Lin and became an overnight success against old traditions. In Mainland China, there were over a billion people and almost everything was banned, regardless her fame became equivalent to that of recording artists Whitney Houston and Barbara Streisand.
In the 80s, the people of China became more independent and the government forbade Lin to continue singing. The Chinese government told Lin that it wasn’t healthy and that it represented Western Culture. So at age 14 she stopped singing. This was very difficult for her to grasp, as her songs represented innocence and freedom. Lin said, “It was exciting to be covered by the local newspaper, the New York Times, People Daily, CCTV and other TV stations and my music was loved by people aged from six year olds all they way to 60 year olds.”
At age 17, Lin was transferred to another private school to complete her education. In 1989 Lin’s boyfriend was involved with Tiananmen Square and this forced Lin to leave China. Lin ended up in Australia for a short time and later moved to Europe and then onto Paris.
Lin’s parents were devastated that she had to leave, and after several years Lin’s father passed away and Lin wasn’t even allowed to return for his funeral. Lin’s family now consisted of a younger brother who consoled their mom during this grievous time.
After Paris, Lin moved to the United States and attended UCLA where she studied music and at California State University Fullerton she studied english. She met Baha’i musicians through Tim McClain, namely, KC Porter, JB Eckl and Joe Carter. “I have never felt so loved, so special, so beautiful as I did when these Baha’i’s welcomed me with an open heart.” After 2 years Lin became a Baha’i. Lin reapplied for a Visa to China and went back home with her new CD titled, ‘Homecoming’ which was produced by Porter and Eckl.
For the past five years Lin has been living in China. The first two years she admits was difficult and she lost the trust of her government and still was invited to events. Some of the events that booked her so enthusiastically cancelled her last minute and she states that it was the government’s doing and through the years she eventually earned their trust.
Lin felt an urge to teach the faith. However, it was very difficult to teach the faith in China and Lin’s mom and brother were so worried when they found out she became a Baha’i because they thought she joined a cult and were worried about what the government was going to do to her. Lin tried to ease their worries but it wasn’t until her mom had to have a hip surgery that Baha’u’llah(1) worked his miracle. While Lin’s mom was at the hospital several fellow Baha’i’s visited Lin’s mom. The graciousness of these Baha’i’s astounded Lin’s mom who instantly declared in the hospital and said, ‘I am a Baha’i”. Later Lin’s brother asked to try on her Baha’i ring and he said, “Lin it’s stuck, I guess it’s mine now”. He has been wearing the ring for almost 2 years now.
I asked Lin what she would want Baha’i’s to know that will assist them to teach the faith. Lin said, “When you praise a person regardless of where they’re from, it makes them feel like they belong and are worthy. So, I want you to know that your open hearts, your love, your praise, made me feel so loved and accepted.”
Lin has an American boyfriend named Clark Baurer, who is an architect that works out of China and Chicago. It’s interesting to mention that Clark’s friends are Baha’i’s (Karen and Adam Robards) and one day Karen who knew Lin wanted to introduce her to Clark who worked closely with her husband, Adam who is also an architect. They met and according to Lin there was no instant attraction until later.
Clark’s parents are of the Christian faith and came to China to visit him and to meet Lin. Unfortunately, they did not approve of Lin primarily because she was a Baha’i. Lin planned a wonderful dinner and invited her very good friend Amy Ma, 1984 Olympic Gold Medallist on the uneven bars; Joseph Preyer, US Ambassador to China; and two other architects - everyone had a good time except for Clark’s mom.
Lin and Clark planned their return visit to the US so that they would attend a family wedding as well as to attend the conference in Milwaukee. Lin fell in love with Princeville where Clark’s family lives and after the wedding Clark wanted to return to Chicago but Lin wanted to go his parents’ home. They ended up going and Mrs. Baurer wouldn’t even look at her. Lin decided to speak up and she went to her and said, “I want to tell you that this is a wonderful place and you are so loving. Your home is alcohol and smoking free and I have tremendous respect for you. I respect your religion. I believe in Jesus Christ and I don’t think I’m going to hell.” Lin said that Mrs. Baurer turned and looked at her straight in the eyes and said, “I love you Lin”.
1 Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i Faith
No comments:
Post a Comment