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Taiwan Church News 3048 Edition July 26~August 1, 2010
Editorial: Working toward a multi-cultural, flourishing society
Translated by Lydia Ma
On October 12 of every year, a time when people living in the American continent celebrate Columbus Day, Aborigines on that same continent critical of Columbus’ exploits have chosen instead to remember that day as “Indian Resistance Day”. Similarly, as Aussies celebrate “Australia Day” every January 26, Aborigines inAustralia have chosen instead to coin that day “Invasion Day”.
It wasn’t until 2008 that Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issued a formal apology in parliament to Aborigines for the injustices perpetrated against them by European colonialists over the past century. All over the world, Aborigines have waited for centuries and suffered much to win some respect and rights that every human being should enjoy.
A look at the history and experiences of Aborigines in Taiwan tells a similar story. From the Qing dynasty to the KMT rule in Taiwan, the ruling class’ treatment of Aborigines in Taiwan was marked by discrimination. Aborigines were called by different names ranging from “savages” to “mountain people” during those periods, all of which alluded to their need to be “civilized” by their colonizers before they could become “fully human”.
Similar to other countries, the past 400 years of what we call “Taiwanese history” is peppered with colonialism and records of how colonizers attempted to “educate” what they deemed as closed-minded, ignorant natives. Colonialist policies destroyed again and again the land, economy, culture, history, and social fabric of Aborigines.
It wasn’t until recent decades that ideas such as basic human rights and human dignity entered Taiwanese Aborigines’ consciousness. This awakening allowed Aborigine movements to finally take flight after a lot of protests, media reports, networking among organizations, public hearings, and support from concerned international and Taiwanese organizations.
On August 1, 1994, an amendment in the ROC constitution finally got rid of the term “mountain people”, which had been used for more than 40 years, to make way for the proper term known as “Aborigines”.
The Executive Yuan finally declared in 2005 that August 1 of every year would be remembered as “Indigenous People’s Day”. This announcement came long after the UN had set aside August 9 as “International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples” in 1994 to encourage countries to remember the plight of Aborigines.
On the surface, it seems as though the creation of “Indigenous People’s Day” in more and more countries, apologies by heads of state, and the UN’s passing of “International Day of the World’s Indigenous People’s Day” have helped Aborigines secure respect.
However, these feats are meaningless unless governments implement policies that further justice, mercy, and charity. Aborigines can only enjoy equal rights and fair treatment when policies pertaining to their right to work, education, and basic human rights are implemented.
Without actual implementation, setting aside a special day or even passing regulations to further Aborigine people’s rights are merely empty promises. They would be akin to fragile vases fit only for exhibits, or merely empty electoral promises that come in handy during campaign season.
Here’s a word of caution: If governments persist in using Aborigine people and their human rights simply as electoral tools instead of standing up for the least of these, they should be prepared for God’s righteous judgment and wrath. God will boot them out of office to make way for someone else that actually cares about marginalized people.
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