https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11797365-escape-from-camp-14
I chose to examine a book I read a few years back called Escape from Camp 14 by Blaine Harden. In this biography, Harden takes a look into the life of a North Korean man named Shin In Geun who escaped the horrible treatment inside a labor camp in North Korea. Shin was born into the camp and was faced with hardships no child should endure. He was forced to work long hours, starved, abused, and even forced to witness the executions of his mom and brother. One night Shin worked up the courage to escape the camp, and successfully made it past the deadly fences that trapped him inside. Following his escape, Shin was faced with more challenges as he tried to cross the border into South Korea, and provide for himself with no job, shelter, or family. Shin was able to support himself, and finally got the opportunity to fly to Seoul. Here he began fighting for human rights and spreading awareness of the brutality he faced in North Korea.
This biography related to many of the texts we read throughout this semester, but I found a strong comparison with Spivak’s Can the Subaltern Speak? Escape From Camp 14 depicts the othering that North Korean citizens face by their government. In North Korea, the officials are highly respected in a cult like manner. Those who are not these high-ranking officials are viewed as the other in society and are punished because of it. Can the Subaltern Speak help further the idea that people’s identity and rank in society does not diminish their basic human rights. In particular, Shin escaping the labor camp and devoting his time to fighting for human rights and equality shows the capability that everyone has despite how their society views them.
This book helps provide a firsthand look at what life is really like in North Korea, and the treatment that those living there receive. I found this book to be very eye opening and helped further my understanding of the living conditions in North Korea, as well as how hard it is to escape. Shin’s story was very inspiring and depicts how those individuals who are othered by their society are unable to use their voice in society and speak out against brutality. By understanding Shin’s experience, it is clear to grasp the true reality of the lack of rights, freedoms, and ability to vocalize in North Korea, solely because they were born there.
Resources:
Harden, Blaine. Escape from Camp 14 : One Man’s Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West. New York :Viking, 2012.
Morris, Rosalind C, and Gayatri C. Spivak. Can the Subaltern Speak?: Reflections on the History of an Idea. , 2010.