Regarding the Laguna Woods Church shooting, I initially did not want to write on the topic for fear of instigating more controversy and division, especially when understanding and healing are needed. However, now that we have had several days to reflect on the tragedy, I offer my own opinion and experience living in the US, being quite different from those provided by the media.
近日發生的加州槍擊案震驚社會，檯面上眾說紛紜，激起了許多討論、爭執，甚至造成了分裂。為了避免招至不必要的對立與紛爭，我本不欲在人們需相互理解與療傷之際撰文。惟經數日的沉澱與省思，我想就自身於美國生活的經驗，分享些許不同的觀點。
From my experience abroad, the larger overseas Chinese community have always been somewhat careful to discuss cross-Strait relations and related issues. Most want to avoid the sensitive issue of national identity for fear of controversy. Many came to the US to work, pursue a better life, and escape the political bickering of their home countries. It makes perfect sense that these immigrants would want to avoid so-called home politics as they already have enough to deal with: immigration paperwork, housing, school, work, making friends, basically anything you can think of when moving to another country. However, rising geopolitical tensions, the associated propaganda, and the media have exacerbated these tensions, making them inescapable.
就我個人的海外生活經驗，對華人社群而言，無論來自何地，與兩岸有關的議題 一直是較為敏感的部分，多數人因害怕爭議而避談兩岸與國家認同。許多人為了工作、追求更好的生活，逃離了母國的政治紛爭來到美國。很多人甚至不願聽到政治，因為身為移民，搬至新環境所需解決的麻煩已經夠多了（移民文件、住房、學校、工作、交友⋯⋯）。然而，一些官方宣傳與媒體渲染都讓地緣政治的緊張情勢持續升溫，這讓他們避無可避。
In my 40+ years of living in Taiwan, the US, and now Canada, many overseas Chinese I have met come set in their opinions on cross-Strait issues. Nearly all mainland Chinese I know initially feel that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China due to decades of state propaganda. In stark contrast, the great majority of Taiwanese feel the exact opposite: No one has the right to tell us to give up our hard-won democracy for an autocratic regime. I will not go into details about national identities and perceptions in this article. There already exists ample research on this topic. A few articles are listed below as a starting point in reaching your own conclusion:
在我旅居於臺灣、美國及加拿大超過４０年的經驗裡，許多我所遇到的海外華人對於兩岸的看法有著既定的認知。幾乎所有的中國人因自身所受的當局的宣傳 ，便認定臺灣是中國神聖不可分割的一部分。相較之下，絕大多數臺灣人的感受恰好相反：沒有人有權要求我們拋棄得來不易的民主而擁抱獨裁統治。討論國家認同與相關概念並非本文主旨，相關議題已有大量研究，有意深入探討的朋友或可從下列文獻著手，建立自己的論述。
Taiwan Independence vs. Unification with the Mainland
https://bit.ly/3NjexTs
Unifying the Ancestral Land: The CCP’s “Taiwan” Frames
https://bit.ly/37XZvDA
From Persuasion to Coercion: Beijing’s Approach to Taiwan and Taiwan’s Response
https://brook.gs/3MsVCFK
Nevertheless, despite people being set in their ways due to decades of education, propaganda (one and the same?), and life experience, most overseas Chinese can reach a delicate understanding and become friends. Usually, upon meeting and building trust, which takes time and willingness from both sides, we are able to step over the invisible boundaries set by years of conditioning from the media and the state. The preexisting mistrust, fear, and hate quickly dissipate once conversations break over similar experiences immigrating. We talk about good restaurants, where to shop for groceries, a good place of worship, or where to find an affordable mechanic (hint: there are none). The similarities in language and culture are undeniable. Though we have different values as all individuals do, we are not a nameless mass to be feared or loathed. We are human beings who care and love.
儘管因多年的教育、政治宣傳以及生活經歷而形成了既定看法，多數海外華人仍可相互理解並成為朋友。通常，在雙方投入時間與意願、見面並建立信任後，便可打破那些多年來由政府與媒體所設下的籓籬。藉由交流彼此的移民經歷，讓原先的不信任、恐懼與仇恨迅速消散。我們談論想去的餐廳、哪間超市可以買到家鄉貨、舒適的禮拜場所，甚至分享汽車維修資訊。即便如所有的獨立個體，我們都擁有不同的價值觀，但不可否認，我們的語言與文化具有相似性。我們不該是被恐懼或憎恨的無名群體，我們都是有血有肉有感情的人。
Nearly every overseas Chinese I have met can agree on the principle that we are all peace-loving human beings wanting the same things in life: a better environment, more employment opportunities, the chance to improve our lives, love, peace, stability, and freedom, especially freedom. It is why many of us are in the USA in the first place. Even if we were to voice our opinions against the atrocious public health care system (or the lack of one), racial injustices, or even corrupt government officials and policies, we would be protected by the law. We have the freedom of speech and the collective power to make a difference, though not always without consequences.
我所遇到的海外華人幾乎都同意，我們是熱愛和平的人，我們在生活中有著共同的追求：更好的環境、更多的就業機會、改善生活的契機、愛與和平、穩定，尤其是自由，而這也是許多人落腳美國的原因。即便美國有著糟糕的健保、種族問題、乃至瀆職的政府官員與迂腐的政策，我們依然受到法律的保障——我們享有言論自由並可透過群體之力改變現狀——儘管有時需付出代價。
Once trust is built between the overseas Chinese I have met, they become willing to listen. Nearly everyone agrees that violence and war do not benefit people anywhere, no matter their position on cross-Strait issues. The advocacy of violence and wars is the means for the few stoking nationalism to secure power. Such is the case everywhere, be it China, Russia, or even the US. There are always those using hate to manipulate the public to acquire wealth, fame, and power.
誠如上述所言，一旦彼此建立起信任，人們會願意傾聽彼此並相互尊重，不論其對兩岸關係的主張為何，幾乎每個人都同意，暴力與戰爭對我們並沒有任何好處。鼓吹暴力與戰爭是少數人用於煽動狂熱民族主義以確保權力的手段，無論在中國、俄國甚至美國，任何地方皆是如此。總有人利用仇恨操控大眾，藉此攫取權力、財富與名望。
Recent heightened geopolitical tensions have indeed made people less willing to listen or even associate with those with a differing national identity or political affiliation. We come with the baggage of prejudice and mistrust…and we hate. It is far easier to do so than to step out of our comfort zone, listen, and build trust. We see this not only in cross-Strait relations but in all US issues, where divisive political rhetoric has split communities, friends, and families.
確實，近來因地緣政治的緊張情勢攀升，導致人們較不願傾聽對方，甚至不願與國家認同及政治立場相異者來往。我們帶著偏見與不信任的眼鏡，將所遇到的個體看成一個「無名的集合體」，以致於我們不約而同地恐懼與憎恨對方。而此種作為遠比跳出舒適圈、傾聽對方與建立信任來得容易。上述現象不僅限於兩岸問題，美國的各項議題也比比皆是，分裂的政治語言撕裂了社會群體、社交圈與家庭。
The hatred is greatly saddening because, as human beings, caring for one another should be a top priority. Naïve as this may sound, there are those committed to caring: volunteers at community soup kitchens, good samaritans sharing their homes with fire victims, nurses providing medical services for the homeless, and social workers who work tirelessly to address inequities and injustices. These people serve not one race, not one nationality, but humanity as a whole. Yes, we have our differences, and we can not accept everyone’s values, but that does not mean we have to resolve differences by taking innocent lives.
這讓我極為難過。生而為人，關懷他人當是第一要務。即便這看起來頗為天真，但確實有人每日身體力行——風雨無阻為社區老人送餐的志願者、為火災受災戶提供住所的好心人、為街友提供義診的醫療人員以及為不平等、不公義發聲的倡議者皆是如此。他們不以國族、群體來區分效勞的對象，而是擁抱所有人。是的，我們存在分岐、未必能接受彼此的價值觀，但這並不意味著我們必須剝奪無辜的生命來解決分歧。
I do not pretend to have an answer to the Laguna Woods tragedy, where a disturbed shooter presumably justified violence with political ideology. There are, of course, other associated issues such as US gun laws and mental health care. To think that we can stop all such tragedies with a single solution is naïve at best.
我不會假裝對是次發生於拉古納伍茲鎮的槍擊案有答案，槍手或以政治信仰為其暴力辯護，而諸如美國的槍枝法以及心理健康照護等議題都與本案有所關聯，若認為採取單一方式便可阻止所有的悲劇發生，未免流於天真。但我相信，無論你是否為移民，渴望和平、相互理解與關懷是絕大多數人的心聲。
As can be seen in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, violence and its ultimate manifestation–war, have wrecked the lives of millions. All those lives lost and homes destroyed, thousands of families broken, a country shattered. All these tragedies stem from the unchecked ambitions of a few, whereas billions of us, common people, people who care for one another, desire only to live in peace. Why then? Why do we let these few tell us to take the life of another? What gives them the right to advocate mass violence against groups of people?
We give them that right. “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything,” Einstein once said. Our apathy and unwillingness to challenge those who advocate violence are to blame.
那些被奪去的寶貴生命、被迫殘缺的家庭、支離破碎的國家⋯⋯從俄羅斯侵略烏克蘭一事足見，暴力及其終極形式——戰爭，致使數百萬人慘遭殺戮與蹂躪。那些關懷彼此、渴望和平與穩定生活的普通人民，卻要概括承受少數人不受控的野心所造成的種種悲劇，試問天理何在？
究竟是什麼東西，讓那些掌權者得以對他國人民施以大規模的暴力？誠如愛因斯坦所言：「世界並非毀於作惡者之手，而是毀於那些袖手旁觀者的手中。」正是我們的冷漠與姑息，助長了悲劇的發生。
If we do not stand up to the few advocating violence to sate their lust for wealth, power, or place in history, then incidents of mass violence will continue unabated. We must hold these very few, be they political leaders, corporate titans, or media influencers seeking self-gain, accountable! We must not let others manipulate us into forsaking our humanity and become pawns in their quest for power.
我們若不挺身反抗那些主張以暴力實現其財富、權力與歷史地位的野心家，那麼大規模的暴力事件就永無終止之日。我們必須向那些寡頭究責，無論他們是政治領袖、商業巨擘還是追求私利的網紅。我們絕對不能受他人操控，以免我們放棄人性，淪為他人謀權奪利的棋子。
Change begins with oneself. We can be more willing to listen, care for others regardless of race, gender, or beliefs, and let our humanity shine through. We can refuse to participate in hate speech, refuse to dehumanize others, and refuse to perpetrate violence! Through our non-participation in violence and caring for one another, we gradually strip these manipulators of their power. Make their ambitions and manipulations transparent for all to see and refuse to play their games.
我們亦須從改變自身做起，加倍關懷他人，更認真地傾聽他人，不讓種族、性別與信仰成為阻礙我們的因素。我們可以選擇擁抱人性，拒絕涉入仇恨言論與暴力行為，藉此改變自己遂可逐步弱化掌權者的權力，削弱他們的野心並進一步將其操弄大眾之舉攤在陽光底下，讓所有人看清，而拒絕淪為權力遊戲裡的魁儡。
Choose care, rather than hate. Choose peace, rather than violence. Let our humanity shine through.
選擇關懷，拒絕仇恨；堅守和平，杜絕暴力。一起讓人性閃爍著耀眼的光輝。
對亞裔的歧視: https://bit.ly/3cr5wps