Vice President Annette Lu's (
Whether or not these outstanding candidates can make it to the very top will naturally be significant as a measure of gender equality and rights. But I believe that finding ways to infuse feminine viewpoints into the policy-making process, as well as ensuring that the content of such policies is relevant to women's needs, has greater practical implications than whether or not women serve as their nations' leaders.
For example, amid the controversy over whether or not to tear down the outer walls around Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the Taipei City Government recently used its authority as the memorial's managing body to invoke articles 12 and 17 of the Cultural Resources Preservation Act (
The pan-blue dominated city government's tactic of using a cultural argument to defend the hall will be difficult for the DPP to counter. But if we focus on the central discourse within each camp, their logic is the same. Each churlishly defends its actions under the name of politics or culture, exploiting the value of democratic governance and cultural artifacts. The meaningful dialogue and reflection needed to pursue common values for society has been sacrificed. Of course, what Taiwanese society needs most right now is to seek consensus and identity through culture.
At the heart of the controversy is the 25-hectare park itself, which is about the size of the Daan Forest Park. In a densely populated capital, such greenery is highly valued. But whereas Daan Forest Park was constructed to give city residents a place to relax, the buildings and grounds at the memorial hall have the austere air typical of their kind.
In other words, in order to highlight the space's meaning as a place of hero worship, the buildings and arches were designed in the style of Chinese palaces. The hall was constructed to be imposing and does not encourage friendliness or intimacy. For example, one must climb up large flights of stairs and walk all the way down a long ceremonial path to reach Chiang's statue. There are no trees along the way to offer shade from the summer sun. The outer walls cut the hall off from the surrounding area in order to emphasize that the space has a mystical sanctity that must not be disturbed.
Admittedly, the walls are not aesthetically displeasing and the space itself has been somewhat softened by use over the past 20 years. But if we want to think rationally and prudently about transforming this treasured green area into a welcoming, user-friendly environment -- especially as far as women are concerned -- one cannot deny that there are still many improvements to be made. In addition to removing the outer walls, there are many changes that could be made to transform the park -- including landscaping and the creation of footpaths.
The outer walls are a problem because they obstruct one's line of sight. Even during the day, many areas of the park are hidden from view. As a result, crimes have been committed in these areas. We have to take a careful look at how to make the hall more functional for the people who actually use it. Is it only possible for a space to be symbolic if it is inaccessible, inconvenient and unsafe? I think there are two examples that show this is not the case.
Transforming Chiang's residence in Shilin into a public garden not only allowed people to enjoy its greenery and the fragrance of its flowers, but also to better imagine how the old ruler lived. And after Chungshan Manor on Yangming Mountain had its veil of mystery removed, visitors were able to get a better glimpse of the period of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) totalitarian rule. Laborers worked overtime to complete the project within 13 months. The manor is unique, featuring exquisite carvings and innovative craftsmanship following designs by female architect Hsiu Tse-lan (修澤蘭), along with traces of Chiang's and his wife's influence.
In these two examples, historical and educational materials from the Martial Law era have been seamlessly integrated into a national park of stunning natural beauty. It is patently better to allow people to experience history in this way rather than to create an obscure and vast space where they have to rely on their imagination.
Those weary of the polarization between the political camps and their black-and-white modes of thinking should try approaching these issues from the feminine perspective: Isn't getting closer to history by softening the aura of monuments a better way of memorializing our past?
Yin Pao-ning is an assistant professor at Alethia University's School of General Education.
Translated by Marc Langer
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