Livin' Like a Family of One: Voices of Taiwan

Last night, I went down to the Legislative Yuan to see firsthand what was going on with these protests. I felt that I really needed to see-at least see, and at least once-what was happening in arguably the most politically charged time in Taiwan's history.

It was surreal to say the least.

I skipped out on the entire Occupy movement in Los Angeles 4 years back. TO be totally honest, I felt no connection to it. Not necessarily because I felt it didn't affect me or because I didn't support my fellow youth, but simply because I was just...disconnected. I've always been disconnected. If we've ever spoken, you'll be hard pressed to find a time when I said anything along the lines of "Hey, you know what? Politics!" And also, to be more of a dick, I felt many people were talking as loudly as they were about the Occupy movement because it was in vogue. It was downtown, where many people my age are already looking to be seen being different by being the same, and this news media whirlwind gave them an excellent chance to do so. So I never made the effort.

Last night, I went. To be in the middle of such a widespread protest-thousands of students sleeping and sitting in the streets, compacted into the median lines in a respectful fashion while their contemporaries gave passionate speeches (of which I understood "Hello" and any numbers 1-999)...it felt very alive. I even talked to two individuals who between them could find the words to get their ideas across to me. "It's not about trade," they said, "it's about democracy." I thought it was a very objective way of looking at it. Of course, it's a little about trade. "We (this gentleman's theatre troupe) are small fish. And they want shark to come eat us up."

Well go, little fishies. Organize and unite. You've got support. I'll see you again soon.

Fight the Powah!
-LS^2