Review: Homeland: Edge of Desolation
If the artwork of Hwang Buh-Ching can be said to be concerned with the artistic representation of “homeland,” as his current exhibition “Homeland: Edge of Desolation” at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei suggests in representing Taiwan, Hwang points to both falsity and authenticity.
Review: Wanted: Dean I-Mei: A Retrospective
The specter of Taiwanese politics is everywhere in the artwork of Dean I-Mei. While, certainly, the artist himself poses his recent exhibition in light of a search for personal identity in the title “Wanted Dean I-Mei,” his search for individual identity is one deeply bound up with Taiwan’s state of unbelonging in the world.
Review: Meeting Dr. Sun (行動代號孫中山)
Meeting Dr. Sun (行動代號孫中山) tells of a group of poor Taiwanese high school students’elaborate plot to steal an unused Sun Yat-Sen (孫中山) statue from their high school and sell it for scrap metal.
Music Video: 灰色地帶 / Grey Area
音樂是我第一個真的能認真坐下來學習的東西，我常跟朋友說如果我用作音樂的態度去讀書，我一定能上哈佛，因為到目前為止沒有專精任何樂器的我，已經可以製作一首完整的歌，我的初衷就是想幫助那些像我一樣不會樂器但也想玩音樂的人，證明給他們看其實這都是可以的。
Film: 戒不了癮 / Can’t Quit You
“Can’t Quit You” is an autobiographical short film about Zico, a hair stylist based in Hsinchu, Taiwan. It’s the story of his first love, a relationship with a man called Yin that blossomed when Zico began his career as a hairstyling assistant in Hsinchu.
Photos: Sunflower Retrospective by Justim Pam
This photo series shows the lead singer of the Taiwanese band Fire EX (滅火器), Sam Yang (楊大正）, when he visited to the Legislative Yuan chamber to support the students and teach them how to sing one of his songs.
Interview: J. Michael Cole, Part II
This is the second installment of the two-part interview with J. Michael Cole conducted by Brian Hioe regarding his editorship of Thinking Taiwan, the relation of journalism and activism, and his recently released book, Officially Unofficial: Confessions of a journalist in Taiwan.
Interview: J. Michael Cole, Part I
The first installment of the two-part interview with J. Michael Cole conducted by Brian Hioe regarding the nature of journalism, his own career path as one of the prominent voices in English-language journalism about Taiwan, and the contemporary state of journalism in Taiwan.
帝國主義暴力
隨著迦薩戰火持續延燒，我們這些在台灣關心世局的人，也開始用心發掘時事與現狀的連結，以及從中可能獲得的教益。因為兩地的處境儘管不盡相同，卻具備同一個確切無疑的脈絡：台灣人和巴勒斯坦人都缺少一個在國際上受到承認的國家。
Imperialist Violence
With conflict raging in Gaza, many of us concerned with Taiwan have grasped around the back of our minds for a connection and possible lesson. For while the situation on the ground share little resemblance, both contexts share one indisputable quality: both the Taiwanese and Palestinians lack an internationally recognized state.
Japan, the Jadeite Cabbage and the KMT’s Regime of Truth
Last week, a rare row arose between Taiwan and Japan over the Jadeite Cabbage. The artifact, originally crafted for one of the Qing emperor Guangxu’s notable concubines, is a prized possession and tourist favorite at the National Palace Museum (國立故宮博物院) in Taipei.
Power and Discourse
Over the last thirty years, there’s been a slowly manifesting trend in regard to Taiwan’s international position, a series of processes that amount collectively to a single linear motion, and which offers no small indication of the future of Taiwanese democracy. I speak, of course, of Taiwan’s growing isolation in the international arena.
The Impossibility of Democracy in Hong Kong?
Does the possibility exist for Hong Kong to attain democracy? This question has yet to be settled. In the face of China’s refusal to allow non-vetted candidates to run for Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, the highest political position in the Hong Kong government, the stage is set for Occupy Central to once again seize control of Hong Kong’s Central district, the city’s financial and economic heart.
From Out of KMT Party Education, Towards the Path of Justice
I was once a supporter of the KMT. When I was young I worshipped President Chiang Kai-shek’s heroic deeds in the war against Japan, appreciated his opposition to Communism, and was grateful for him founding Taiwan.
從黨國教育走出，追求轉型正義
我曾是一位國民黨死忠支持者，我小時候曾經崇拜 蔣中正總統反共抗日的英勇事蹟、欣賞他為正義反共、感謝他建設臺灣等事蹟。當時我認為白色恐怖受害者都是群不聽政府的反社會人格者，政府是在教育他們好好做人才逮捕他們，唯有跟隨政府反共才能帶來最後的幸福。
Civil Revolt in Miaoli County?
This past Friday, approximately 200 protestors gathered outside of the former site of Chang Pharmacy in Dapu, Miaoli. One year ago on July 18th, 2013, the family-owned pharmacy was forcibly demolished in order to make way for commercial development. In September, owner Chang Sen-wen (張森文) was found dead under a bridge. The death was ruled a suicide by police, but there are those who remain suspicious, including Chang’s son.
TPE→HKG→TYO?
It would seem that Asia is in the streets these days. Three months have passed since Taiwan’s Sunflower movement. With the revival of Hong Kong’s Occupy Central in new form, sovereignty issues regarding mainland China and questions of democracy have generally taken center stage whereas Chinese speaking countries and territories on China’s periphery are concerned.
回顧三二三之夜
「伯勞」是一位居住在台北的台裔美國人的化名。一連串的因緣際會，使他成為或許是台灣歷史上唯一一個企圖闖入並佔領台灣最高行政中樞──行政院的美國人。本文是他對行政院及立法院佔領行動的調查研究與個人見證，這兩場佔領行動他都參加了。
Looking Back on 323
Bolao (伯勞) is the pseudonym of an American of Taiwanese descent living in Taipei.Through a strange set of circumstances, though an American by birth and upbringing, he was involved in the attempt invade and occupy the Executive Yuan, Taiwan’s executive branch of government. The following is his investigation into and personal account of the Executive Yuan and Legislative Yuan occupation, both of which he was a participant in.
台灣的階級流動與身分群體
社會流動的可能性在已開發國家中一直是備受爭論的主題。美國一度被譽為實現「美國夢」的國度，人們只要工作夠勤奮就能往上爬，因為那兒有著大量的發展機會。然而，「美國夢」早已證實了是一場泡影，對於拉丁美洲裔移民或許多非裔美國人來說更是刻骨銘心。種族不平等及相應的階級分層揭示了殘酷的事實：來到美國日以繼夜工作的人，不一定能夠達到理想的生活，反倒是常常在許多方面都被刻板印象定型，甚至遭受歧視，無論他們多有才華。階級分化與分層並非美國獨有的現象。當我們回看今天的台灣，階級流動的停滯可說是青年世代所面臨最急迫的問題。
Class Mobility and Status Groups in Taiwan
The possibility of social mobility has been a well-argued topic in advanced countries. The U.S. was once considered the place of the “American dream”, in which people could move upward as long as he/she worked hard enough because America was a place with plenty of opportunities. But class differentiation and stratification are not a unique phenomenon to the U.S. If we look at today’s Taiwan, stagnated mobility can be considered the most pressing issue for the younger generations.
松煙護樹的121天
松煙護樹在持續了121天後，面臨了極大的挑戰，凌晨兩點多，突然有四十至五十名警力集結開始驅離，原本駐紮的帳篷和器材被拆掉，放到三部卡車上載走，大約兩點半整個營地已經被清空。當時有五個人住在帳篷中，當筆者約莫三點到達現場時，大約已經有二十左右的朋友聚集，大部分是台灣護樹團體聯盟的成員。可能是因為時間很晚了，護樹聯盟也無法即時回應，社群網路上面並沒有太多的消息，所以除了聯盟之外並沒有太多人響應，除了我以外沒有其他記者，包括中文媒體，大部分的中文媒體都是在事發之後透過從社群網站上收集資訊及訪問成員得到資訊。
The 121st Day of the Songyan Occupation
On its 121st day, the longstanding Songyan occupation, protesting the unlawful cutting down of trees in the area outside the site of the future Taipei Dome, near Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, faced its greatest tribulation to date. A police raid upon the occupation encampment was conducted at 2 AM which, according to those present, brought in approximately forty to fifty police officers.
選舉掃描
距離 2014 年底大選約莫還有三個月的時間，但自今年初起，選舉新聞已經大舉佔領各類媒體。雖然年底舉辦的大選包含六都直轄市市長、其他縣市長及議員等，但媒體矚目且曝光度最高的仍是台北市與新北市首長的爭奪戰。新北市的候選人仍是依循傳統藍綠分庭抗禮，就選戰本質來說並無太大新意，而台北市長選情及候選人相較之下則讓人想要看看「究竟這些人要怎麼玩下去」。
Social Movements from an International Perspective
I have participated in social movements for close to two years, thanks to the Ma administration, but this year, Taiwan social movements surged up with a raising of people’s consciousness of social issues. But while these can be called “movements,” these usually address domestic issues such as urban renewal, land development, labor disputes, and conservation. Issues which are not domestic such as cross-strait relations, the military, and discussions of foreign affairs are not usually talked about.
社會運動的國際觀
筆者本次到美國，是受福爾摩沙基金會（Formosa Foundation）之邀，以太陽花運動參與者的身分參加該基金會今年的大使計畫（Ambassador Program 2014）。該營隊為期 12 天，第一週的內容是授課，講者從學者、智庫、到商業協會都有，內容包括台美關係發展史、東亞軍事、世界貿易/協議/組織、中國崛起等，第二週則是計畫的重頭戲，分組至國會各辦公室遊說，為期四天，每組一天約拜訪十個辦公室，整個計畫共計拜訪了將近120個議員辦公室（包括參議院與眾議院）。
Taiwan Minus the KMT?
Following the Sunflower Movement, there have been voices have now begun to speak of eliminating the KMT. And it must be wondered what exactly a Taiwanese political spectrum devoid of the KMT would look like. After all, having existed for the entire duration of what we can speak of as “Taiwanese politics,” it is hard to imagine what Taiwanese politics, period, would look like minus the KMT.
從星洲觀看太陽花
台灣2014年三月太陽花運動在新加坡引起了兩種比較明顯的反應。星國主流媒體和官方一般以亂象看待太陽花。民間和社會媒體則藉著這次運動，開始從新認識政府權限和公民參與的問題。怎麼說是「從新認識」？其實，上世紀五、六十年代，也就是台灣戒嚴、白色恐怖時代，正是星國反殖民、學生、公會等運動最活躍的時候。五、六十多年後的今天，星國在人民行動黨長期嚴厲執政下，似乎遺忘了自己的這段歷史。而太陽花在台灣盛開的時候，也正好碰上了英國政府開放大量外交與英聯邦辦公室（Foreign and Commonwealth Office）和殖民地辦公室（Colonial Office）的歷史檔案。這兩件似乎沒有關聯的事情放在一起，再加上星國近幾年在人口、公共交通、貧富懸殊、房價、物價上受到的衝激，啟發了關心社會議題的新加坡人對政治制度的反思。
最公平的升學制度
教育部要推動十二年國教，每到升學季節就被罵翻，最近國中升高中職的會考、特招，又是一波高峰。
Where Have All the Sunflowers Gone?
During one of the initial planning meetings for New Bloom approximately a month after the end of the Legislative Yuan occupation, one editor wryly pointed out that during the height of the Sunflower movement, it was very hard to find sunflowers in flower shops—but now it was easy to do so again.
Gendered Politicians
When it comes to politicians, what is the first image that comes to mind? I would presume it is a man with an assertive attitude, high self-esteem and confidence, and who might occasionally talk aggressively. However, recently more and more women are participating in politics. What if I were to ask you to imagine a female politician? I bet the characteristics associated with this image of a female politician will be similar to the first image of the male politician.
媒體下的政治人物伴侶形象
對於政治人物的另一半，我們常抱持著一些既定的印象。藉由此次臺北市長選舉兩位主要候選人的另一半，讓我們有機會思考到底這樣的印象源自何處，以及如何影響我們對於女性在公/私領域中應該扮演何種角色的想像。一位候選人的伴侶從小養尊處優，留美回台之後短暫有過正式職業旋即嫁為人妻，成了一個專職太太/媽媽；另一位候選人的伴侶則如同大多數生長在台灣的女性，婚後依舊保有職業婦女的角色，在工作與家庭兩個領域間來回奔波數十年。在此我無意看低專職太太/媽媽這個角色，也不是想要誇大職業婦女的辛勞與面臨的衝突，但這兩個女人讓我們看到公領域仍存在強烈的性別偏見及刻板印象。
太陽花運動揭示的台灣現狀
2014 年 3 月 18 日夜晚，一群台灣青年衝入立法院議場，佔領議會超過 20 天，抗議立委貿然和中國簽署《服務貿易協定》。這波被稱為「太陽花運動」的抗議，不僅衝破了台灣民主的黑幕，更使得許多原本對政治冷漠的台灣人，開始正視台灣的民主危機，連帶地掀起後續大規模的公民參與浪潮。同時，太陽花運動也揭示了台灣政治、經濟和社會各層面，長期以來潛藏的問題。
無政府主義
Radical 在台灣常常會翻譯成「激進」，但我認為應該翻成「基進」會更為恰當。根據 Merriam-Webster Online 關於 radical 的條目， radical 是「與根（root）相關的」，衍生為基礎、起源與重要之意。所以 radical 的『ㄐㄧ』應該翻譯為「基」礎的基而非「激」烈的激。為什麼我要從 radical 開始談呢？因為無政府主義（Anarchism）常常被認為是最 radical 的政治思想體系（ political ideology ），然而在沒有弄清 radical 真正的意思之前，我們常常在一開始就搞錯整個無政府主義的方向，把無政府主義連接到混亂、失序、毫無規則等等…。但其實無政府主義者的重點是思考最「基本」的問題，挑戰問題的「根基」，而非採取「激烈」的手段。
What the Sunflower Movement unveiled for Taiwan
ON THE NIGHT OF March 18th 2014, a number of Taiwanese young people rushed into the Legislative Yuan, and began an occupation of the legislative chamber that lasted over 20 days in protest of the Cross-Strait Agreement on Trade in Services (CSSTA) which had been passed by legislators without detailed examination.