2010 March | Taiwaneers

American racism in Taiwan

Michael's Posts, Taiwanese Culture 5 Responses »

Mar 162010

Today, during a break in between classes, the following exchange took place between one of my female Taiwanese classmates and me. She had this little booklet listing all the universities that MCU students can do exchange programs with and was trying to get my input on the American ones before she made her application.

Classmate: “Are these places cold?” (pointing to a listing for a university in Minnesota and a university in Ohio)
Me: “What do mean cold?”
Classmate: “Colder than Taiwan?”
Me: “Yeah of course. Every place will be colder than Taiwan. Out of the two the one in Minnesota will be colder than the one in Ohio though.”
Classmate: “How about this one?” (pointing to a listing for a university in South Carolina)
Me: “That one will be warmer but still colder than Taiwan.”
Classmate: “But does it have a lot of black people?”
Me: “What does that matter?”
Classmate: “Black people are dangerous.”
Me: “Why do you say that? White people are dangerous too. Why are you only afraid of black people?”
Classmate: “The movies. All the gangs and guns are dangerous.”

This isn’t completely verbatim but I tried to get it as close as I could. The ending of the conversation was said with hints of humor and blitheness but one could tell these were real thoughts going through my classmates head and were real concerns she wanted addressed before choosing a university to spend time at as an exchange student.

I also had a similar conversation with a Taiwanese friend who was going to go work for a while in Houston.

What does this mean other than it is definitely true that the wrong-headed but major message sent out from Hollywood/Mtv/mainstream media is that black people are dangerous gangstas? What should the call to action be? My classmate isn’t a racist. She is just trying to make the best decisions with the information she has…something all rational people do. That means that she can be convinced of a new reality without blind hatred getting in the way.The problem is not with her, it’s with us.

Should media outlets care how blacks are portrayed as opposed to how others are portrayed? Should I care? Should I care what Taiwanese students think of black Americans as opposed to other Americans? Should black Americans care? Should all Americans care? Should all the world care? I believe the answer is yes but that means actionable change needs to be pursued and that is where I get completely befuddled.

What can be done other than publicly denouncing these lies about my black brothers? Should all Americans be forced to move back into the cities so that, at least, to be authentic they’ll (the media outlets) have to show a “new” racial diversity in portrayals of inner-city problems? Should we all just keep yelling at black Americans that this is all there fault? Should we support the propagation of media that demonizes other people groups in greater proportion to balance this view so that at least all Americans would be seen as dangerous as opposed to just blacks? Should we make movies about Westboro Baptist Church, or the Iran-Contra Scandal’s connection to crack being introduced into American cities, or how public education was thought up by rich people in an attempt to obtain workers who would be satisfied with assembly line lives? Should we do more to share with the world some of white America’s suburban/rural problems seeing as how we are the majority? Should we support exchanges and multi-cultural experiences for all people (young, old, black, white, American, Iranian, Christian, Muslim) so that we can base ideas about others in reality? Should we “purify” all entertainment and media messages into non-truth about inter-racial love and acceptance? What can be done that is actionable and also brings about positive change? How can we make Michael Jackson’s profound lyric, “I’m not gonna spend my life being a color” be true for EVERYONE and to EVERYONE?

These are the thoughts that are circling round my head.

我的狗死了 (Wǒ de gǒu sǐ le)

Michael's Posts 2 Responses »

Mar 122010

We do miss things by living far away from home. My littlest sister is becoming a woman and Emily’s littlest brother is becoming a man; all the while we are over here, thousands of miles away. Skype, facebook, email, and summers spent back home make it way easier but there is no doubt that living overseas has a price.

I was just officially notified that 我的狗死了 (Wǒ de gǒu sǐ le). I knew it was coming. I actually expected it sometime during the 2008-2009 school year so last summer was purely extra time spent with her in my mind. I have no doubt that my dad made the right decision at the right time. Maggie was a wonderful 狗 (gǒu) and I am so grateful to have had her in my life. I cannot thank my parents enough for making her a Christmas gift to me back in 1995. She taught me a lot of things. I definitely agree with those who believe 狗s (gǒus) help teach children responsibility. She did that and also gave me an opportunity to practice for parenthood…I have to admit that sounds odd to say but its true. I learned, watching myself with Maggie, that I am incredibly consistent but will need to be careful not to withhold mercy when I am a parent of human children. I consider that an invaluable lesson and a direct result of my mother and father’s gift.

Maggie and I also had wonderful summers preparing for 4-H 狗 (gǒu) shows. Winning prizes with her throughout the years for our favorite competition, agility, is definitely something I remember with fondness.

I remember her fear of balls, disinterest in sticks, and confusion towards frisbees and the realization that I would not be that kid in the movies who showed his 狗 (gǒu) love and affection through hours of fetch. I remember seeing her have a seizure that first summer after Christmas and being scared and confused, not quite sure if I’d got a dud dumped on me or whether I was happy to have her. I remember after one of her seizures realizing she could no longer wag her tail. I remember cleaning up her accidents in the house with disgust. I remember holding her when she seizured throughout the years, speaking soothingly that “it’s okay Maggie, it’s alright” while keeping a grip so she wouldn’t knock into something or hurt herself. I remember how she’d be so excited to go for a car ride, a walk, 狗 (gǒu) show practice, or when I’d get home. I remember how she remembered me after I moved away from home and still greeted me with love when I was visiting and sleep in my room. I remember seeing her skinnier, slower, deafer, blinder, and weaker these past few summers. I remember realizing the respect I have for those at the end of life and how my help can ease the way for both them and me. I remember realizing her 死 (sǐ) was coming. I remember realizing that her 死 (sǐ) would be a good completion and that to try to hold on would deprive both of us of that goodness. I remember Maggie.

Her life and now her death have been great for me…that sounds odd too but its true. Even in her 死 (sǐ) Maggie teaches me how to mourn, remember, and let go. I’ve learned so much, loved so much, and built memories of fun times. I love you Maggie. I’ll remember you with fondness and affection.

Dear God, teach me to love my family, friends and the strangers you put in my life this way.

How to Live Overseas

Michael's Posts, Our Taipei Life, Taiwanese Culture, Travel & Exploring No Responses »

Mar 082010

A lot of people wonder how we go about living in a foreign country without knowing the language. I have to admit I can understand where this incredulity from our fellow Americans comes from. We (as in Americans) think of that once-in-a-lifetime trip we took to Mexico for a week or two, thinking to ourselves that vacationing without language is hard enough but how could we ever go about renting an apartment, getting a job, paying the bills, buying groceries, or even figuring out how to take out the trash without knowing how to speak to those around us…and we haven’t even mentioned the literacy problem yet. These concerns are definitely ones that I thought about before I did all those things over here in Taiwan. I should also note that I am very much aware that not all Americans only take one trip to Mexico in their life. Many Americans are extremely well-traveled and I know a lot of them. I’m talking about the others who look at those of us who live overseas with that “I could never, ever do what you are doing” look in their eyes.

For me there are two keys to living in a foreign country without knowing the language. Key number 1: have a friend who knows the language and likes/is willing to help you. Emily and I were blessed to arrive in Taiwan with several friends already here and were so blessed by how kind and helpful they were in getting us up and running. We have really enjoyed doing the same for others who have come after us and consider it an honor and a privilege to help the newbies because we remember the surreal, helpless feeling at the beginning. We’ve also met people here who got a job online before arriving but knew no one at all. These friends were invariably helped by their new employers and the friend situation was rectified quickly. Plus, with the internet now and websites like www.couchsurfing.org tapping into friend networks is easier than ever.

Key number 2: be patient and take new information as it comes to you. While this is probably not as important as the first key it is helpful in keeping a light attitude when you realize that simple tasks that would have been a quick errand on your way home from work in the States are whole afternoon affairs in your new home. Like for example when I wanted to get something at a music store the other day. In the States my brain would immediately know where the music stores in town are and I could think to myself which one would be best suited for my purchase. I would go there when in that area of town next without any hassle whatsoever. Here in Taiwan the process is similar but just a little longer. It went like this: I remembered that Emily and I had driven by a music store a few months back so I took off on my scooter to re-trace my steps. And actually it wasn’t too difficult at all. I only went a few kilometers down the wrong street, and after doubling back without finding the store I realized I needed to be a few blocks down on another street. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again right.

The fun times are when I know something another foreigner doesn’t and I get to let them in on it…it’s like simple bits of knowledge become these nuggets of gold that I get to give out. I remembered this the other day when I was at 7-Eleven. I was there buying a few beers and returning Taiwan Beer labeled bottles for the 2NT deposit on them. Another foreigner in the store saw me handing the empty bottles to the cashier and asked what I was doing. I told him about the 2NT deposit and his face lit up with recognition. I knew exactly what was going through his brain because it’s the same thing that went through my brain when I learned about the deposit. He was thinking about all the bottles he’d thrown out and about how exciting it would be the next time he had some empty beer bottles and would get a chance to use his new nugget of knowledge. It truly is the simple things my friends.

Living overseas without knowing the language is by no means impossible. It just takes a little more patience and a willingness to accept help from others. The pros outweigh the cons by a million to one.

Endnote: please accept my apologies for the corniness of this post. It’s just so fun to realize how much pleasure can be gotten from simply knowing how to do easy, everyday stuff.