It’s October in Taipei, and we’re having friends over for tea. Z. and his girlfriend are a Taiwanese couple in their mid-twenties; Z has started graduate study in the U.S. He plans to finish, he says. But when Albert offers some career advice the deferential Z. becomes firm, insistent. He shakes his head. He can’t spend more years in the States right now. He needs to be back in Taiwan. He needs to be here for the war.
What a powerful post, Michelle. Even from the US, I'm torn between running and fighting and hating myself for even thinking that way. But I guess age will do that to some people and especially having families. Then there is my infuriation by those here in the US who are rooting for Taiwanese resistance but then balk at the idea of ordinary citizens needing to fight - what exactly do they think is going to happen if there is a war?
Oh, Michelle! I'm in agony reading yours. My understanding, safely in bed, also sees the parallel between Ukraine and Taipei. Timothy Snyder's Class 18 closing words: "...imperialism did come to an end (in Poland, 1989)." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7nM9SetN50
Michelle, I also draw a link between 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑘 and the intent of imperialism. (In back of mind as I write your title, Dwayne Betts' work.) Within the complicated nexus of America's tug-of-war between our declared ideals for all and just for some, " I've just begun as an instructor delivering "emotional literacy" via a tia teacher. An infant and mother. https://us.rootsofempathy.org. Much here for you as a parent and citizen.
What a powerful post, Michelle. Even from the US, I'm torn between running and fighting and hating myself for even thinking that way. But I guess age will do that to some people and especially having families. Then there is my infuriation by those here in the US who are rooting for Taiwanese resistance but then balk at the idea of ordinary citizens needing to fight - what exactly do they think is going to happen if there is a war?
Oh, Michelle! I'm in agony reading yours. My understanding, safely in bed, also sees the parallel between Ukraine and Taipei. Timothy Snyder's Class 18 closing words: "...imperialism did come to an end (in Poland, 1989)." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7nM9SetN50
Thank you, Michelle! Such a moving post.
Michelle, I also draw a link between 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑘 and the intent of imperialism. (In back of mind as I write your title, Dwayne Betts' work.) Within the complicated nexus of America's tug-of-war between our declared ideals for all and just for some, " I've just begun as an instructor delivering "emotional literacy" via a tia teacher. An infant and mother. https://us.rootsofempathy.org. Much here for you as a parent and citizen.