In Taiwan there are two main political groups. The KMT and the DPP. The KMT is the group which came over with CKS from China. However the KMT now is similar in name only, most of their beliefs are a far cry from those of 50, 30, even 15 years ago. The DPP is a fairly young group that was started by many of those who fought for democratic freedoms in Taiwan.
Unfortunately yesterday's post made some people feel like I support one political group in Taiwan, over the other. This is simply not true, I definitely do not favor one group over the other. My post yesterday is simply about my admiration for those people who fought against an oppressive government. Those people were not just made up of those who would go on to become DPP, it was also made up of people from the KMT, and westerners as well.
Just because i admire those people and their actions, doesn't mean i completely agree with their politics. In fact I can say I am quite impressed with the way the KMT has gone from a governing body of total control, to a party that in many ways tries to help Taiwan. Just like I am disappointed in some ways by what the DPP has evolved into, just as many of the people who fought for freedom have now distanced themselves from the DPP.. There is a quote which i'm struggling to recall the exact words right now, from Lin Yi-hsiung, He is a respected member of the fight, and the one whose mother and twin daughters were murdered (I hate to define somebody by a tragedy, but i think it does illustrate his resolve). His reason for giving up his membership in the DPP, was something along the line of how the DPP and KMT just squabble with each other and don't work on actually helping the country, and that it no longer has any meaning to be a member of the DPP.
This is not to say that I dislike the DPP or the KMT. As a party, both of them have policies and beliefs that I agree with and those that I disagree with. I also have been fortunate enough to personally meet politicians and officials of each group, and discuss ideas, and even work with a few on some projects. Good people are good people, no matter what the political party, or nationality or ethnic group they represent.
Two unfortunate things about Taiwan are that the political system does seem stuck in a constant battle between each other, which causes focus on bigger issues like the Taiwan and China situation, while ignoring issues that people face everyday of their lives. The other unfortunate thing is that as a whole Taiwanese people seem complacent about the situation and feel like there is nothing they can do about it.
This is the reason why I want to encourage all people to see that movie. I've heard many people who aren't interested at all about the past and feel it doesn't have anything to do with their lives now. But I feel if anybody takes the time to learn about the past and what people went through so that they can enjoy the lives they have now, then people now will have a fire to keep pushing forward and demand more from their government, and more from themselves.
While the movie could be perceived as having DPP undertones, it is truly a story of people of all backgrounds coming together to improve taiwan. And I hope that seeing it will inspire people to improve Taiwan for all the people who call Taiwan home. Chinese, Hoklo, Hakka, Aboriginals, South East Asians, Westerners, and more.
It's not necessary to see the movie, I only recommend it as a very easy and entertaining way to learn a lot of the truth that wasn't taught when most people were in school. But there are many other ways finally available to learn about facts about the past that used to be hidden. Including current school textbooks. I encourage all people to take the time to learn about the history and then make a decision for themselves what they feel is truth and what is propaganda. Any opinions formed after taking in all knowledge is much better than apathy or chosen ignorance.
But if nothing else I think learning about the past will give people a better sense of community. And helping Taiwan doesn't mean you have to be in politics. Volunteering, donating, even giving blood is a way to help all people in Taiwan. And even if learning more about the past pushes you to join the KMT or DPP, that is also a good thing. I just hope that it inspires people to do something, rather than nothing.
The people of the past gave and sacrificed a lot so that all people in Taiwan, including myself, can have better lives, it would be a shame if we don't pick up where they left off.
Whew! I've been working hard in my little ways for years to try and make Taiwan better. And I've been writing articles in a variety of places for almost as long, trying to motivate people and give more info about people and events that have been forgotten. Little did I know it just took a picture of me with a one sweet old lady to make people actually fired up.
Personally I can relate this to the civil rights struggles in America. where people of all races gave their lives in protest against racial inequality. And while I personally benefited from their sacrifices and can never repay them, there are also many of those groups both from that era and which evolved out of that era that have views that I don't agree with. The country is a different place and some of their views are actually harmful to equality. Yet I am still able to appreciate what they did, while being able to disagree with some of their views.
And don't get me started about the political system in America. Part of the reason I don't live in America is because I am fed up with the politics and the outright apathy of most of the citizens. However I feel that I can still honor the people of the past by doing my best to help people no matter what country I live in.
I also admit that I am very hard on Taiwan, but that is also because I love and care about so many people here and I want them to have the best lives possible. And unlike America, I think that Taiwanese people have a much better chance to continue to improve their country.
Whew again. Well politics are maybe a good topic for a leap year day. But now it's time to put it to rest and not bring it up until the next 2/29 in 2016.
The picture above, actually is a great fit for today. It's a "magic eye" picture that was hanging in the wall of the restaurant I ate dinner at between seeing the movie yesterday and going back to meet with my idol. And it's very lucky for my friend. Because today's post was going to be all about how we spent twenty minutes after we finished eating, waiting for her to finally figure out how to see the hidden picture. But with all the comments from yesterday's post, I had to talk about that instead. She's so lucky!
Actually don't tell her this, but probably the whole reason I got to meet my idol, is because she wasted so much time looking at these pictures. because we got back there so late, most people had left and the lady I wanted to meet was all alone and free to talk.
