As my last blog for my anthropology
of Taiwan class I decided that instead of incorporating this week’s readings
into my blog I would give my overall take not only on what I have learned about
Taiwan within the confined of the classroom but also what I’ve learned by
exploring outside of the class. When I registered for the course I needed
simply a 4th year anthropology class, I had no idea where Taiwan was
nor anything about Taiwan. I knew Taiwanese people spoke Taiwanese and that was
all, little did I know that in the span of 13 weeks I would be amazed by the
people of Taiwan along with their culture.
After the first class I knew where
to find Taiwan on a world map, and that in fact it was not recognized as a
country, much to my disbelief. Liminal I think is a good way of explaining
Taiwan, because it bounced around a little between Japan and PRC (People’s
Republic of China), however, now it belongs to ROC (Republic of China). As a
result of all the juggling that occurred not only is it hard for Taiwan to
rightfully find it’s place within the world but for Taiwanese people there’s an
added difficulty to assert an identity when the country you have been born and
raised in, is in such a liminal position.
In the past 13 weeks I have been
educated not only on Taiwan but on its people and their resilience to fight for
what they believe in as well as to go after what they believe in their heart is
there’s. Their national identity as a country is amazing; the people come
together and stand in unison. The heart of Taiwan is the people within the
country, they are the reason why there is such a strong presence felt within.
Overall, I think what has been the
most striking is how this new social movement currently happening in Taiwan
called the Sunflower Student Movement, where students voiced their distain over
a free trade agreement in the works with China. They have managed to show not
only their civility and gracefulness during their protest but have managed to
pull in resources from people around the country who stand behind them and
support what they are doing. In a country where access to education is for the
smartest and most dedicated, for them to put their education on hold and fight
for what they believe in is truly remarkable. This trade agreement would mean
Taiwanese people would most likely lose jobs to Chinese companies and this generation
has decided this is unacceptable and to do something about it. Who knows how it
will continue to play out, however, no matter what happens they should be proud
of the manner in which they have conducted themselves since the start of the
movement.
I hope one day in the not so distant
future Taiwan becomes a recognized country ruled by a Taiwanese president who
has the best interest of the country people in mind. I not only learned about
Taiwan in this course, I learned about a people whose nation identity is
remarkable.
