The main way that Ji-li experiences prejudice is the fact that her family is targeted for being important in the Old Ways before the Cultural Revolution.

Ji-li’s father was an actor.  This made him a representative of the Old Ways and the “Old Four,” or the old values.  Ji-li felt sad that her father, who was once so revered and respected, lost all of his authority.  She was even asked to denounce him.  She found the entire experience frightening and demoralizing.  Ultimately, she was targeted only because her family had once been somewhat aristocratic.  She did not understand why anyone would be prejudiced against her just for that.