Topic Reading-Vol.1587-8/15/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Taiwan president gives first apology to indigenous groups

Never too late for apology. However, it requires not only personal courage but also political determination and consideration to apologize something made long ago by the predecessors or ancestors.

There are only about 2% of the 23 million population in Taiwan whose ancestors were native to the island. Over the last four centuries, the island was colonized, ruled and assimilated by the people from Europe, China, and Japan. Their cultures, traditions, languages and lifestyles have been severely affected by those rulers. Many of those indigenous people work under the average wages and live below the modern standards.

Now the Taiwan’s new leader whose ancestors are partly from one of those indigenous tribes formally apologized to the indigenous people for the past abuse and wrongdoing.

The question now is what and how much the government will do to respect their cultures and improve their living standards.

Enjoy reading and learning about what this courageous leader has done to the indigenous people.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36940243