A little while ago, some colleagues and I got the opportunity to spend some time in Taiwan a short while back. We had the opportunity to meet the Vice President and other dynamic leaders. I got to ask Madame VP about a mutually shared value: democracy. Actually, let me back up. Before the meeting, I had read up a lot about her time at Oberlin College, which fueled her deep commitment to democratic values. So, it was quite gratifying to hear her reiterate the importance of democracy and why we must always resist fascism. It also didn't feel like lip service because she cited practical and significant instances: whether it was civic participation and social cohesion. For instance, as part of the open and free society ideals, they invited citizens to participate in a hackathon. When there was a massive flood in Eastern Taiwan, her former district, people volunteered en masse to help one another. When there is such cohesiveness in a society, undoubtedly, such society thrives. I should know this. One of the core aspects of my research shows the importance of social cohesion for reducing violence and fostering effective governance. Because of social cohesion, during COVID, they devised an innovative way to distribute PPE, further allowing citizens to participate in governance. On and on she went, narrating all the ways they have built democratic resilience and indeed democracy being a cornerstone of their national security resilience. It was heartening to hear her say she still believes democracy is the best form of government. I couldn't agree more.
Throughout our time there, something stood out to me: it was the optimism in their democracy even with its challenges.
Why am I sharing this? You may ask. Across the world, we're seeing such an underestimation of the power of democracy. Too many of us are taking for granted what it means to live in free and open society; what it means to live in a place where power belongs to the people. Perhaps it's because the people of Taiwan are under such colossal threat of losing their freedom, but their resilience is quite inspiring. I don't want to paint a picture of a perfect optimism, of lofty ideals but that's the thing with values, isn't it? It is especially when there are challenges to them that you have the opportunity to either commit to them or desert them. Whether it's in Africa or even in the so-called West, younger people are letting their cynicism, weariness, economic frustrations distract them from the ideals those before us fought so tirelessly for. I've always thought the answer is to double down. It's not to throw our hands in the air, saying "Well, they told me to vote and I did and look things are still horrible," or "Oh the world is so much scarier and dangerous now so what's the point." Everyday, China flexes its political, military, and economic muscles on Taiwan and its sovereignty. The geopolitical complexities of today and particularly America's own domestic politics realities mean Taiwan's own leverage shrinks more and more. And yet, everyday the people of Taiwan still believe in the freedom their democracy brings them, in the justice it allows, in the development it produces.
That's why I am sharing this. As citizens, as the public, we have every right to demand that our political systems deliver tangible results for us. I think young people should double down on challenging political elites, on commitments to political ideals. We have to see past the distractions these elites so carefully create, and hold them accountable. Silly things like compounding our fears and leveraging them for power through scapegoating the "other," or fueling ethnic and identity violence for the specific goals of winning elections do nothing but give more power to the powerful and more wealth to the already ultra-wealth. Immigrants are not the problem, Black people are not the problem, poor people are not the problem, and for my Nigerian sisters and brothers: Igbo people are not the problem, Hausa people are not the problem, Yoruba people are not the problem. No, corruption is the problem. Ineptitude is the problem. Greed is the problem. Bigotry is the problem. Racism is the problem.
So today, I'm asking you to think deeply about this value I hold really dear: democracy.
On a lighter note, I got to bond with some genuinely cool and extremely brilliant folks. We also got the loveliest gift from the VP. You know, it was extremely inspiring to see such a top female leader be so impressive, but also wear colors. I know, haha. What a thrill. It was a truly wonderful experience.
I haven't gotten to be quite as serious on this blog in a while. But on America's 250th earlier this summer, it was important to confront what makes America America. Do check it out here.
As always, let me know what you think! And as always, we're on Instagram. Can I double my followers before the end of this year? I think we can. If you read this blog and/or if you've read this, you can help me achieve this. Let's go!
Love,
I
No comments