Nationalism and Identity in Taiwan

Nationalism is a narrative that we tell ourselves. The four articles for this week’s readings all reflected on that. In Taiwan constructions of identity are often used to assist in nation building. This is especially pertinent when you consider the unique limb that the Taiwanese state is in and the tool that nationalism has become in that struggle. It is also very interesting to see how the constructions of identity of traditionally marginalized groups in Taiwan has contributed to the causes of counter cultural protesting of state oppression.

The Hakka identity in urban spaces was in many ways constructed to re-legitimize Taiwanese identity in urban spaces by highlighting those Chinese who came before the KMT takeovers. Discussions of a Taiwanese identity needed to be re-oriented as multicultural to protect the national interests of Taiwan. In the Waishgren article the Mainlander identity is discussed. The exile from China of the KMT supporters is highlighted. It also notes how difficult it was for many to migrate to Taiwan after the Communist takeover for fears of influxes of communist supporters entering Taiwan. It was also intresting to note that the Taiwanese born mothers and children would take-on the identity of the mainlander father when they married, though not surprising when you consider Taiwanese beliefs about patrilineal family membership.

It is also interesting to read of immigrant women from South East Asian countries like the Philippine’s or Vietnam in Taiwan who have a lot of political and social barriers to integration in Taiwanese society. For all the talk of a multicultural Taiwan they are expected to become members of the Taiwanese family through marriage and help to produce many children. Language skills are considered very important if they want to stay without being married. They are viewed as “the lowest of the low” in Taiwanese society and these women are often marrying men who otherwise may not be able to find a wife. They are often subject to abuse or domestic violence in their relationships. If they divorce and do not have custody of the children they may have to leave the country. Despite their contributions to the nation through raising Taiwanese children their contributions to the country are not held in very high regard.

In Queering Taiwan a counter culture is explored. Homosexuality did not become visible in Taiwan until the 90s. In the article Queer culture is viewed as a contradiction to nationalism and the nation building of Taiwan and a protest against nationalism. A vocal queer community in Taiwan has emerged and there is advocacy for a type of Taiwanese queer culture that does not support nation building initiatives and brings in an anti-colonial discourse to discuss the history and position of Taiwan.

Large recent pushes to form a Taiwanese national identity to help resolve the Taiwanese national identity has resulted in a lot of hasty work which has marginalized many people. The articles discussed this week prove that the sort of Taiwanese identity that might be pushed on a page or by a government can be vastly different from the realities of the people.