Let's Not Talk About Politics

Mike reflects on the global instability sparked by the invasion of Ukraine and his anxieties regarding the potential for similar conflict in Taiwan. He's concerned about American apathy and a wavering in the nation's role as a defender of democracy.

Hi, this is Mike George coming at you from the relative calm and safety of America. You can't take for granted anymore that you live in the United States or really anywhere, because what's considered safe and stable one day can very quickly turn into a nightmare — as the people of Ukraine are experiencing right now.

President Putin has had his heart set on Ukraine for a long time, even crafting a fake history to justify it. Regardless of the truth or who gets to script it, there are tanks and bombs falling in Ukraine right now. Please pray for them. If you’ve ever known a Ukrainian person, you know they are tough, and I can only hope things don't go as badly as I fear.

This situation has made me think soberly about my own life and the Taiwanese people in my life. For those who don't know me well, I'm half-Taiwanese. Growing up, I often confused Chinese and Taiwanese identity because it was simpler, but this issue is very personal to me now.

Let's step back and focus on what it means to be American. Many of us take for granted that we live in one of the most stable and wealthy nations in history. Around the turn of the millennium, no one questioned American power or the routine of elections. Now, I look at our recent military history—Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria—and I ask: what have we accomplished? How have we actually defended freedom lately?

I'm putting the US flag front and center to remind us of what America once stood for: defending people from tyranny and oppression. Watching Ukraine burn right now reminds me of the 'shock and awe' campaign in Baghdad. It highlights how numb we've become to this as a spectacle of entertainment, while leaders like Putin use war to boost popularity and beat the drum of nationalism.

As a half-Taiwanese person, I worry about what will happen when the same thing occurs with China and Taiwan. I’m already seeing the signs. It’s exhausting to feel like the sky is falling, but I’m inspired by the people in Taiwan—the young students and protesters—who aren't scared and are basically saying, 'bring it on.'

It fills me with a lot of rage when I hear Americans say, 'let's not talk about politics.' Politics is literally just a word for 'people' and how we work together to maintain a fair order. In a participatory democracy, saying you won't talk about politics is like saying you live in a cave and the struggles of others don't matter to you. You might not want to talk about politics, but eventually, politics will come looking for you.

I look back with regret that I didn't invest more time in learning Mandarin or understanding Taiwanese history earlier. Taiwan has always been a bit of a mystery to me, even though I associate myself with it so closely. Now, there is a literal noose around that island. I have a bad feeling, and I don't know what I'll do if I live to see a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

I felt a profound sense of failure in my own life missions—like saving the environment or reaching certain milestones—when I saw the West Coast burn from wildfires last year and saw the apathy of those around me. Now, I feel that same approaching point of failure regarding Taiwan.

I'm scared that China will overwhelm Taiwan and even more scared that no one will do anything about it. It pains me to think that the 'defender of democracy' might not stand up. Taiwan actually does democracy better than we do; it’s a society teeming with freedom.

I recently spoke with a U.S. soldier who couldn't even point out Taiwan on a map. That is terrifying when you realize Taiwan and Israel are the major flashpoints that could rope us into a world war. China believes it is their destiny to take over Taiwan, and they are just waiting for the U.S. to have its hands full.

I want to end by expressing my admiration for the people of Ukraine defending their homes. I pray that our leaders actually understand the stakes for Taiwan. Things are getting real, and I'm preparing mentally for the possibility that I may not have a Taiwan left to return to one day.

As an American, I can only pray that my country is truly what we say we are when it comes to defending freedom. Stay safe out there, and please take care of each other.