Mixed emotions about Soong
The passing of Soong Mei-Ling (
I think it is important that we do not forget her significance, while at the same time acknowledging the unfortunate legacy of the scandals, misdeeds and genuine cruelty meted out and participated in by her, her husband and family.
Madame Chiang gave voice -- perhaps the only recognized and authorative-sounding voice of her era -- to raise awareness of the travails and issues that faced wartime China and post-war Taiwan. Her speaking tours and ambassador-at-large status brought her words and views to the occident.
Without Madame Chiang's efforts, as behind-the-scenes manipulative as they may have been, the US and much of the world at large would not have been as cognizant of what was happening on this side of the Pacific. With all the attention China and greater-China issues receive today, it is easy to forget that 50 or so years ago, few among the Western masses had any concept of the turmoil roiling the area. It would have been even more unlikely for most in the US to have known what Taiwan was or be able to place it on a map.
Through her "propaganda" campaigns (aided and abetted by Henry Luce of Time-Life), she became the best-known Chinese woman of her time and was voted "most admired" by the women of the US.
We do not know, nor should we speculate, how Chinese history would have played out without the meddling and intervention by Madame Chiang and her clan. Modern China has clearly made astounding leaps forward in the past 50-odd years. Taiwan has become a contemporary miracle, an Asian dragon.
Of course, one should never forget the chaos and bloodshed that Chiang Kai-shek's (蔣介石) Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) wrought on Taiwan and its inhabitants.
But we should also keep in mind the contribution that he, his wife and others made to building what eventually became the world's first Chinese democracy and a truly "first-world" free nation 107km from communist China.
Controversy and mistrust dogged Madame Chiang throughout her years. However, we should not forget that even the very flawed individuals among us have the capability to play important roles in shaping history and society.
Jonathan Gardner
New York Institute for Social Research (Taiwan)
Taichung
Many in New York were sur-prised to learn of Madame Chiang's death here. Some people were not aware she remained alive, because her last public appearance was in 2000. Others were not aware that she lived in New York, and still others could not imagine that such a powerful and important person could ever die. Although Americans have had mixed feelings about her, all agree that she played a major role in the history of Taiwan.
Anthony Arena
New York
Reading your editorial ("So long and good riddance," Oct. 27, page 8) was kind of a shock to me. I never heard most of the things you wrote about this late "evil woman." So would you please provide more evidence and facts to give some ground for your opinions. It'd be interesting to read.
Jouni Heiskanen
Tampere, Finland
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