For the past two weeks, I have been trying to follow what is happening around the world. News regarding protests on police brutality targeting Black people and invalidation of trans people are not high profile here in Taiwan, but they should be.
#BlackLivesMatter
As an Asian, born and raised in Taiwan, I can never understand what it is like to grow up othered because of skin color. Being East Asian in East Asia is almost the equivalent of being white in the States. I know I am undereducated on the topic of race and I am often at a loss on how to support BIPOCs, especially Black people. Now, with the protests starting from justice for George Floyd to something way bigger, I am also learning more than ever halfway across the globe.
Becoming anti-racist is an ongoing process. I am still learning, and I urge everyone to do the same. Work to amplify Black voices. Because as a non-Black person, supporting Black people should never result in talking over them.
#TransIsBeautiful
Everyone in the bookish world is talking about JKR. I am calling out JKR for her dangerous and hateful comments on the trans community. For someone who built a world where love is the most powerful force, her behavior was deeply unsettling. Daniel Radcliffe has spoken out against JKR and shown solidarity with trans people. Now, I am considering to get rid of some of JKR’s books that are sitting on my bookshelf, just like I did with Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game. Wow. A few years ago I would never thought to compare JKR with Card, yet here we are.
2020 has been horrific. But radical changes are happening, and we get to see true allies and friendships during unfortunate events. I hope we continue to love and support each other throughout the pain. Maybe years from now, we would look back and take pride in how the world has changed for the better.
Stay strong. Keep learning.
