There is no denying that many people in Taiwan suffered greatly under the strong arm of the old KMT. When one thinks of the KMT’s 1963 execution of Chen Chi-hsiung, a highly intelligent man killed for expressing the idea that Taiwan should be an independent country, it is hard to fight back tears. Other cases are just as heart-rending. Noted author Bo Yang was sentenced to 12 years in jail for a politically incorrect translation of a Popeye cartoon and independence activist Lin Yi-hsiung’s twin daughters and mother were knifed to death in 1980 in what many believe were politically motivated murders. These evils are hard to even comprehend and harder still to forgive.

President Chen’s commemorative address focused mainly on the evils of the KMT and how imperative it is that the opposition party never be allowed to rule Taiwan again. These sentiments from people who were in fact persecuted by the KMT during its authoritarian period are perhaps understandable. Bitterness is the easier route to choose when faced with injustice and hardship. It is not, however, the path of a great leader.

Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison and came out with a message of non-violence and forgiveness — helping move his horribly scarred nation towards reconciliation and healing that continues to this day.

Many in Taiwan had high hopes for Chen when he assumed office in 2000. Some saw him as a type of Nelson Mandela who would lead the nation towards a rectification of past ills, while at the same time helping heal the divisions of society. Those who harbored such hopes where proven very, very wrong.

There are two ways to look back at the past. The first is to focus on what you have lost. The second is to celebrate your survival.

Mark Inglis, a New Zealander who lost both legs in a mountain-climbing mishap some 20 years ago recently became the first double amputee to scale Mt. Everest. Mr. Inglis recently visited Taipei to promote a Discovery Channel documentary about his feat. During an interview with The China Post, Inglis spoke of how he and other NZ climbers who had lost limbs and digits to frostbite would gather every year to hold a “wake” for all the missing parts. This continued for many years until one year Mark stood up and declared that the “funerals” were over. “I told myself, ‘Mark, what the hell are you doing? You can’t keep doing this ... you’ve got to celebrate what you have!’” Mark Inglis and friends no longer mourn, but instead celebrate.

The anniversary of the lifting of martial law should indeed be commemorated, and the true suffering of victims remembered. But what is equally important to remember and commemorate is the fact that Taiwan has changed so much over the past 20 years — for the better — that the very idea of a totalitarian regime again ruling Taiwan is now unthinkable.

Christians mourn the death of Christ each Good Friday. Some branches of the religion get rather emotional, with mock crucifixions and much weeping. However, as any priest or minister will tell you, the crucifixion of Christ was merely a prelude to the main event — the glorious resurrection celebrated on Easter Sunday. President Chen and much of the DPP have chosen to focus almost exclusively on the pain of death, while mostly ignoring the phoenix-like resurrection of Taiwan.

We must never forget the injustices of the past and must not make any attempt to whitewash or play down the suffering of so many, many victims. But, as we somberly remember the pain, let us also not forget to give thanks for the changes that have taken Taiwan so far away from that dark time.

Subscribe to The China Post and save.  Click hereSharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Enter your comments - 800 characters max

Receive China Post promos

Respond to this email