In 'Sparks,' Ian Johnson highlights China's 'grassroots historians'

China's underground historians and their efforts to preserve authentic narratives are examined, challenging the notion of a completely dystopian surveillance state. Despite increasing restrictions under Xi Jinping, a grassroots movement persists, driven by digital technologies like email and PDFs, to document suppressed histories. This movement emphasizes person-to-person relationships over social media, fostering a commitment to confronting past injustices. The underground journal "Remembrance" exemplifies this, navigating censorship by focusing on the Mao era and benefiting from international collaboration. The work of these historians is rooted in traditional Chinese values of righteousness and justice, offering an alternative vision of China and highlighting the importance of engaging with these voices.