Wednesday, March 22, 2006
馬市長之劍橋來訪・Homecoming in Cambridge for MA
"In the last year of my study here in Cambridge, my wife, suddenly found herself pregnant with our first daughter, sat down with me and we were trying to figure out what name to give her. Since we thought that Cambridge is such a beautiful place that hosts many of our fond memories, we wanted to name our first baby, Cambridge."Then we wrote down that name on a piece of paper - Cambridge, MA ... (audience laughed). Well, I guess that won't do, otherwise everytime she mentions her name, the next question people ask would be, 'What's the zip code?'"
As Mayor Ma + Chairman Ma ("Please note it's 'MA' not 'MAO'; the difference is the 'O'!") told us before he began his speech on the topic of peace and prosperity in cross-straight relations.
Granted that nothing revolutionary or extremely revelatory was stated in the speech, what made this event a heated discussion and attention amongst the Chinese community, students and residents alike, was - besides Mayor Ma's renowned handsome look and political charisma - perhaps the sense of excitement of meeting this potential future President of Republic of China in Taiwan who might at last reopen peaceful, cross-straight talks that have remained stagnant over the years.
In the air, there was a sense of excitement and anticipation. In the air there too was a sense of communal pride for a figure in leadership who is able to well communicate to not only the Chinese audience at large but also to the Western audience on a view of a positive, healthy, and mutually constructive cross-straight relations.
父母親常說：「做人，格局要大」。Having been born into and grown up in a family where a politically savvy dad - not necessarily through words but merely through actions - has taught me much about what it means to remain hopeful in the most desperate times, or to keep up with one's integrity and never lose the original vision and dream in spite of obstacles on the way, politics has become a double-edged sword in my life, enchanting me, fascinating me, yet in the meanwhile making me wonder how much does one need to lose oneself or compromise the core of one's identity in the glorious name of achieving one's dreams.
Power, when used rightly, may truly improve lives and achieve true justice for the commonwealth; when used towards self-glory, however, it becomes a feared source of evil.
I often like to take an observant look at a pastor or a speaker during the few minutes immediately following their delivery of a great sermon or speech. What might be going through their heads when words are spoken, questions answered, and applause given? Will they be thinking, "At last it's over," or "May these words go forth with the audience and bless them well," or "I wonder if they've got my point?". When the last word is spoken and Tim Keller or Pastor Soong-chan takes their seat, what goes on in their heads?
A prayer for the people? A simple prayer spoken in hope that the hearts of the audience may be moved and that their words may empower them to go home and carry further the mission of transforming lives?
Those who are on the top indeed are at times the lonliest?
或許馬市長在劍橋短暫停留的幾天真正想做的，並非趕場般的演講或一個接又一個的晚宴聚餐。或許他真正想做的，不過是在Charles River河畔再觀看一次傍晚的斜陽，或是到Harvard Square哪個不知名的小店重溫一下學生時期與夫人、同學閒談的時光吧。
中國與台灣，兩岸關係與三通問題。人一旦深入政治權力的核心，攀爬至成功的頂峰，就必須要將政治無時無刻不扛在肩上，作為一個人生命的Identity嗎？
或許就是這個問題還未想清楚，我才會選擇進入文學與人文的領域，
然而，something too is stirring inside，蠢蠢欲動。
梅ちゃん at 6:08:00 AM
5 Comments
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at 3/22/06, 5:09 PM
said... The picture that impressed me the most was President Kennedy standing alone in the Oval Office looking outside of the window during the sunset. He had to bear the burden as a leader not only of the US, but also of the world. That picture clearly illustartes your point: Man at the very top is always very lonely, for he has to bear all the responsibilities and their consequences.
ymshaw-
at 3/22/06, 5:18 PM
said...
Did you get the chance to speak to him? He may still remembers you, if you introduce yourself. Professor Robert Ross of Boston College was the person that Ma wanted to meet. His article, "The Fading Taiwanese Independence Moverment" (current issue of Foreign Affiars) is quite interesting. Ross hates Presidents Lee and Chen. Dad has an artile published in the same journal in the summer issue of l985, also about Taiwan's identity.
ymshaw-
at 3/24/06, 5:58 AM
said...
i believe that people are often attracted to the superficial bravura a politician has by the way he is able to speak eloquently so much so that it *appears* he has extensive (especially inside) knowledge of the issues he discusses but in reality knows little about the constituents his policies will affect.
how many times have you seen a man in power speak diplomatically to other foreign statesmen yet neglect the ills of his own country?
do you honestly believe a man who is educated at premier institutions can understand the needs of someone who does not even have the chance to complete high school because he or she needs to work to help support his or family? what do academics really know anyhow that the commoner cannot observe?-
at 3/24/06, 7:07 AM
梅ちゃん said... i believe that any sort of power in the world may be used towards the good or evil end. just being one is highly educated, such educational background should not be deemed as his/her "original sin." we all have different backgrounds that we come from, and how we use our education and past experiences in life is what matters most. just b/c someone grew up amongst the people also doesn't mean he/she understands or cares about the needs of the people the most. and plenty of examples in history have already testified to that.
why leave yourself as anonymous if you want to further your discussions with others?-
at 3/25/06, 5:19 AM
said...
why republic of china in taiwan. call a spade a spade.