This week, I went to the annual conference held by American Association of Chinese Study (AACS). I was very nervous before I go, since I am really a beginner. It turned out to be a super fun experience and people are so nice. My favorite thing about the conference is that people share lots of common interests. They understand about my research, and they are sincerely excited about it. Furthermore, they gave me good feedbacks and suggestions that I have not think of before. Finally, I want to thanks to Melissa, Amanda and Kristine give me this opportunity to go to Baltimore with you.
I have a presentation about an oral history that I have conducted about a Taiwanese democratic movement in the 1980s. I named it “the Homeward movement”. During the 1980s, Taiwan was not a democracy. People who support Taiwan’s independence from the Republic of China would be punished with years of imprisonment. Therefore, the main public sphere of Taiwan’s independence was in the countries such as U.S. and Japan. In the U.S., people are allowed to publish magazine and hold organization to support Taiwan’s independence as well as democracy. However, due to these actions, the dictatorial government (KMT) in Taiwan marked those people into the blacklist, which made them unable to go back to Taiwan.
Imagine that you are an international student who is not allowed to go back to your own country and thus are not able to visit your family for years. In the time overseas,You might also be intimidated by the campus spies. You have to think of ways to make life in an unfamiliar country. I am recording the story of these people and listen to their inspiration of how they start to organize this movement to break this dictatorial mechanism. The Homeward movement is a non-violent movement organized by Taiwanese studentswith two goals: First is to support the freedom of speech and freedom of assembly and association. Second is to bring back the public sphere of Taiwan’s independence to Taiwan. The students flew back to Taiwan, even though they knew they would be arrested.
This is just a simple preview of my thesis, which I presented it during the conference. This presentation is a great breakthrough in my life, since I was always too nervous to talk fluently during presentations. This time is much better. In addition to the presentation, I enjoyed listening to other’s presentation. The favorite part of the conference is the discussion about the soft power and sharp power from the Chinese government. I think it is an universal issue not only in China but all over the world.
Hey Mi Ni, glad to hear the conference went well! I had no idea you were presenting your thesis for it. It sounds like a culmination of many things that you are passionate about, and in a way, mirrors your own experiences as an international student. Although the type of prosecution faced by those who supported Taiwanese independence is no longer there today, it’s the story of separation and unfamiliarity in a foreign environment that really speak to me. It’s always painful putting yourself in the perspective of those who have to make a decision between voicing their opinions vs facing punishment that could effect the people close to you, such as your family. Would they have wanted you to? OR would they rather you keep your opinions quite to still be able to see each other? It makes me realize how much I take for granted freedom of speech, political or otherwise. Great post!
MiNi I’m so proud of you! I think the bravery of the students you are studying is absolutely incredible and definitely worth bringing forth in the world. I am also so excited that you challenged yourself by presenting. The research is a lot of work on its own, but that in combination with your bravery in presenting is truly remarkable!