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Letter: Build an identity

Dear Premier Hsieh (謝長廷):

We in Canada have been impressed by the effort of Minister of Education Tu Cheng-sheng (杜正勝) to foster in the young generation of Taiwan a strong consciousness of being Taiwanese, while simultaneously emphasizing the importance of the unique heritages of Taiwan -- the cultural debt we owe to China, Japan and the First Nations (Aboriginals).

On the eve of the possible Cabinet reshuffle that you may be contemplating, we hope that you will reappoint Tu so as to ensure that the excellent new tradition initiated by him will be preserved and enhanced.

As you know, nation-building starts with the cultivation of national identity. History is full of examples that illustrate the importance of national consciousness and self identity for the existence and preservation of a nation. Without a consensus of national identity, a nation cannot exist.

Fichte and Goethe, who uplifted the German language and consciousness, contributed to the formation of modern Germany as greatly as Bismarck, who unified the numerous principalities into one cohesive German Reich in 1870.

During Poland's dark years under foreign rule, the Poles' sense of history and culture was so strong that even foreign rulers never doubted who the Poles were.

Ukraine was under Russian rule for 300 years, during which time the Ukrainian language was suppressed and the Russian language was imposed on the people of Ukraine.

When Ukrainians finally achieved independence, the restoration of their own language became the first order of business in their nation building.

Canadians, who share the English language with the US, nonetheless strive to develop their own unique culture literature, folk songs, history/geography education -- as distinct from the superpower next door.

Taiwan has had a very similar historical experience as these countries. Ever since the dawn of our history, we have been ruled by others who have no regard for Taiwan, its people, its history and its culture. Now we have an opportunity to build our own national identity.

The arduous and complex task of nation building is just starting for us, and we owe it to our history and our future generations to redouble our efforts to ensure that Taiwan thrives as a unique nation on Earth that has many things to be proud of.

We are aware of the pressure inflicted on you from those who wish to oppose Taiwanese nationhood and to thwart the cultivation of Taiwanese identity. But these people feel no loyalty to Taiwan, a land that has nurtured them and provided them with their democratic freedom. They may not feel any compunction in subverting the Taiwanese nation.

But Taiwan has a right to defend itself and must do so. Experts on national identity have long questioned whether Taiwan's democratization could be sustained when a consensus on national identity has not been established.

In this regard, Tu's vision and policy will continue to bring rational and necessary reform to Taiwan's education and is hence essential and vital to Taiwan's survival.

We would like to feel confident that you will exercise the utmost wisdom and courage in executing your mandate as the premier of Taiwan, which consists primarily of Taiwan's national survival.

With best wishes for a success in your premiership.

Loretta Pan, Robert Chen, Lieh Cheng, Hsueh Lin, Tina Chang, Alice Kuo, Edmond Lee, Gloria Pan, Yun-Chong Pan, Heng-Ching Lin, Chich-Huang Wang, Wen-Lin Wu, Ling-Ling Tsai, Kuang-Tsan Wu, Yu-Chao Yang

Taiwanese Canadian Social Service Center
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