During the period of the Chinese Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) in the People’s Republic of China, Mao Zedong identified groups that he considered enemies of the Revolution (and thus himself). The phrase Five Black Categories (simplified Chinese: 黑五类; traditional Chinese: 黑五類; pinyin: Hēiwǔlèi) referred to the following five political identities. These groups were:
On the other hand, Mao Zedong categorised groups of people, such as members of the Communist Party of China, poor farmers and low-class workers, as Five Red Categories. This new Red/Black class distinction was used to create a status society, determined by birth. People in the Five Black Categories were separated out for struggle sessions, humiliation, re-education, beating, and persecution. Mao believed that victimizing these people, as well as other groups of citizens – such as teachers, educated intellectuals, and enemies of the Communist Party (cadres) – was a necessary component to initiate the changes in the Chinese culture that he desired. He believed that those who were victimized either deserved it or became better citizens as a result of it. According to a speech by Jiang Qing, his wife and Party leader, “If good people beat bad people, it serves them right; if bad people beat good people, the good people achieve glory; if good people beat good people, it is a misunderstanding; without beatings, you do not get acquainted and then no longer need to beat them” (Walder 149).