Written by Kate Allanson Conlon. This article traces the early development of women’s footbinding in the 18th century and subsequent ban during Japanese colonial period. As a tradition, footbinding has historical significance, demonstrating how distinct temporalities that viewed and treated women and their bodily freedom.
Written by the Taiwan Indigenous Youth Public Participation Association; translated by Yu-Chen Chuang. This article highlights the involvement of Indigenous rights advocacy groups in the Bluebird Movement. They call for Indigenous legislators to prioritise their communities’ rights, foster cross-party collaboration, and address the electoral system’s challenges that hinder effective Indigenous political participation.
Written by Chee-Hann Wu. During the Bluebird Movement, demonstrators used diverse, creative, and aesthetically pleasing signs that referenced pop culture to convey political messages and advocate for democracy.
Written by Alan H. Yang. In May 2024, up to 100,000 people protested on Qingdao East Road, Taipei, against amendments to the Act Governing the Legislative Yuan’s Power, arguing these changes could expand legislative authority and undermine democracy. The protests saw significant involvement from the younger generation and led to the “Bluebird Action,” which leveraged digital technology for mobilisation.
Written by Brian Hioe. This article compares the Bluebird Movement to the 2014 Sunflower Movement, emphasizing how both large-scale protests were fundamentally driven by concerns over China’s influence rather than purely about domestic issues.
Written by Dung-Shiu Yu. The Bluebird Movement in Taiwan, protesting against legislative reforms, has gained international attention. This article highlights a powerful display of intergenerational support and grassroots activism, the “grandparents’ topping-up participation.”
Ｗritten by Min-Yuan Hung. This article explores the evolution of democracy in Taiwan through key protest movements, highlighting that protecting the democratic way of life is a critical motivation for citizen activism in Taiwan. This narrative is essential to the Bluebird Movement and should not be overlooked.
Written by Chieh-Ting Yeh. This article analyses the fallacy logic of the narratives of international media on Taiwan-China relations, placing the onus on Taiwan to soothe China and avoid provocation. Democratic societies, it argues, should not let Beijing to have the power to unilaterally and arbitrarily impose red lines on Taiwan.
Written by Donna Wang Su. In this article, the author connects to the book Island X through her own journey as a second-generation Taiwanese American whose family lived through the era explored in the book. This article shares a personal story and invites conversation and participation in building a stronger community.
Written by Chia-Yun Lee. This article examines marketing narratives in fertility clinics, social media, and mainstream online media, revealing how egg freezing in Taiwanese society is seen as a form of insurance and a means to empower women. However, this technology also leads to personalising the risks of female infertility and reinforces social expectations of traditional gender roles.
Written by Chun-yi Lee. This article reflects on the relevance of the Sunflower and Umbrella Movement today. Looking at the case of media freedom, the author highlights the importance of civil society guarding against authoritarian expansion and democratic consolidation. The movements remind of the fight against authoritarian power.
Written by Klavier Wang. This article focuses on the movement-place making, a process of transforming physical spaces into vibrant and inclusive environments that foster community engagement and identity, of the Sunflower and Umbrella Movement. It sheds light on an important legacy of the two movements, the development and strengthening of their civil societies.
Taiwan Insight 