We grieve the May 15th Shooting at Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church

Editor's note: This is not a think piece or analysis of the situation as it unfolds. We are a small, deeply passionate team of Taiwanese American volunteers and we are grappling with the shock and grief of this tragedy, too. This is not something we were prepared to cover or feature. We only hope that those directed towards our website for support/further resources can find here an organized way to access the Gofundme set up by the church congregation to support victims of the shooting, as…

Remembering the 228 Massacre: Readings & Resources on Taiwan’s White Terror Era

Feature image: Memorial Foundation of 228  How should a nation reckon with its sins? On the 75th anniversary of the 228 Massacre in Taiwan, and in the midst of ever-greater geopolitical distress, we invite our community to reflect with us on life under and after authoritarian violence. History is rife with the patterns of misinformation masquerading as prophecy; ego presented as hope; fear as our moral compass. In Green Island Secrets, Professor Chung-chih Li writes, "how one feels about…

2021 Taiwanese American Gift Guide: Shop small businesses, and shop them early!

If you're a champion of MIT "Made in Taiwan" shopping principles (looking at you, first-gen aunties!), may we suggest a peek into MBTA "Made by Taiwanese Americans." We're so proud to bring back this annual gift guide for the second time, highlighting Taiwanese American small businesses, brands, and creators. We know there's more out there - reach out if that's you at leona@taiwaneseamerican.org. We're rooting for each of you! See last year's gift guide here. TAIWANESEAMERICAN.ORG DISCOUNT…

Pew Research reissues report on Asian Americans after misrepresenting Taiwanese Americans

  KEY LINKS: Corrected "Key facts about Asian origin groups in the U.S." (Pew Research Center) - September 8, 2021 How many Taiwanese live in the U.S.? It’s not an easy question to answer (Decoded: PRC Medium) - September 8, 2021 To the Taiwanese American community: Ever since the 1990 United States Census, the Taiwanese American Citizens League (TACL) has led civic engagement efforts to remind our community to complete the U.S. Census by not only checking the "Other Asian"…

Jude Chao: ‘Skin Care for your soul’ and sexy radishes

“Internet big sister” Jude Chao on how a passion for skincare led her to share more about mental health, wellness, and the art of real living with her debut book and sheet mask line ‘Skin Care for your soul’ and sexy radishes “Internet big sister” Jude Chao on how a passion for skincare led her to share more about mental health, wellness, and the art of real living with her debut book and sheet mask line Chao is a longtime friend of TaiwaneseAmerican.org. In 2019, she shared…

Katrina Liu on Asian American Motherhood: “Mina Learns Chinese”

There are a lot of things that delight me about children’s books despite being a single, childless, young adult. For example, in Katrina Liu’s bilingual book, “I Love Boba,” I’ve found a new favorite bit of joyful dialogue: “但是你是叫它波霸奶茶, 珍珠奶茶, 還是泡泡茶呢? Do you call it boba, pearl tea, or bubble tea?”  That, and a sweetly illustrated girl wisely explaining why fat straws are more appropriate than skinny ones for drinking boba.    View…

Response to Pew Research Reports Hiding Taiwanese Identity: “We made it count. Now tell our stories.”

Taiwanese American Community Response to Pew Research Reports on Asian American Communities IMAGE SOURCE: PEW RESEARCH CENTER Recently published reports by the Pew Research Center analyzing Asian American communities have included footnotes that data for “‘Chinese’ includes those identifying as ‘Taiwanese.’” As of today (May 1 - the start of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month), the methodology for Pew Research Center’s Asian American fact sheets makes no reference to why…

From CAAMFest 2021 and Taiwan Academy: “Direct to Taiwan”

TaiwaneseAmerican.org is pleased to support the premier Asian American Film Festival in the San Francisco/Bay Area. CAAM Fest, the Center for Asian American Media’s annual festival features amazing works in film, TV, and digital media. This year, their events and screenings are scheduled May 13-23 and available to most audiences in a virtual format to honor Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. With new support from Taiwan Academy, CAAMFest 2021 is proud to showcase "Direct to Taiwan,"…

Taiwanese Americans: Help Report Anti-AAPI Discrimination

  Originally published March 2, 2020   I will clarify again that legitimate calls for CCP accountability are NOT at odds with real solutions addressing anti-Asian violence. As a #TaiwaneseAmerican passionate about the nuances of #AsianAmerica, I believe in discourse that is thoughtful enough to be specific. (LC 1/2) — Taiwanese American (@TaiwaneseAm_org) March 18, 2021 Taiwanese Americans, our responsibility here is two-fold: (1) You or someone you know may have been…

Remembrance & Resources: Learning About 228

By Joyce Chen & Leona Chen | 74 years have elapsed since the 1947 February 28 Massacre in Taiwan, when building resentment over inflation, constant military occupation, and police brutality culminated in an island-wide protest. When local Taiwanese leaders demanded administration reforms, free elections, and accountability for government corruption, the Chinese Nationalist army began a violent campaign to impose martial law, executing teachers, students, and commercial leaders. An estimated…