Before the Internet, there were limited English learning resources, so the Studio Classroom (空中英語教室) radio show hosted by American educator Doris Brougham became the go-to English learning channel for countless Taiwanese born in the 1960s and 1970s.
Brougham, also known by her Chinese name, Peng Meng-hui (彭蒙惠), has devoted herself to English education. She is so dedicated that she would personally reply to each listener’s letter and any questions they might have. I once wrote a letter to her when I was in high school, and was amazed to receive a personal letter back from her just a few days later.
To thank Brougham for her contribution to English education in Taiwan, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) recently visited the 97-year-old educator to present her with a Taiwanese passport as she finally became a Taiwanese national. As Brougham said at the event: “Where is the heart, there is the home, and my heart is here, Taiwan is my home.”
Then President Tsai added while thanking her: “Peng Meng-hui, from now on, Taiwan is your home.”
As an island, Taiwan has been an immigrant society for several centuries, and many ethnic groups have settled here. As long as they identify themselves with Taiwan, they are all true Taiwanese. Taiwanese are tolerant of different ethnic groups, and there is no discrimination against any social class.
Some have accused the government of “creating class confrontation,” but such accusations are made by politicians for their own political benefit. In the end, these politicians will only make a fool of themselves and receive no recognition or support from others.
The public not only respects foreigners who have taken root in Taiwan after years of hard work here, but also regards them as fellow Taiwanese. This is clearly a demonstration of passion and kindness, and a result of Taiwan’s freedom, democracy and a stable social system that values human rights.
At the moment, some people still do not dare to call themselves “Taiwanese” after living in Taiwan for decades, and some even discriminate against the country by calling it a “ghost island,” or thinking that they are in some way superior. Brougham’s lifelong devotion, in comparison, shows them that they should be grateful and cherish what they have in Taiwan.
Chen Chi-nung is the principal of Kuohsing Junior High School in Nantou County.
Translated by Eddy Chang
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