Only with Respect and Tolerance Can There Be Diversity and Progress

Donald Trump has been reelected as U.S. president. Thinking back to the first time he was elected, the right-leaning, traditional, conservative wave that swept the globe did not wane after he failed to be reelected. Instead, it has continued to surge, growing throughout the successive elections taking place in many countries this year, from Germany and France in the EU to the United States, where the Republican Party is fully in power. So-called left-leaning, progressive values have suffered a setback. Taiwan’s promotion of progressive values in recent years appears to have gone smoothly, but has it really?

In Taiwan, our folk and secular traditions initially could be said to have nothing to do with left-leaning, diverse, progressive values. However, when there was a push for relevant passages in the Constitution to be reinterpreted, there was resistance to the referendum. In the end, the constitutional reinterpretation failed, and the government cunningly amended the law. The point is that Taiwanese society values social relationships and sophistication; through a lot of tolerance and mutual respect, we can live together in harmony.

As many diverse human rights become increasingly important, the views and demands of some gender and LGBTQ+ rights groups have become more self-centered with extreme left-leaning (or leftist) biases. Whether they are left- or right-leaning, with diverse, progressive views or traditional, conservative views, neither side should overly negate or suppress the other, or even trample and smear the other with discriminatory language.

The progressive values of political correctness and demands for diversity should not be interpreted by a few elites who push them on others from a haughty and self-righteous standpoint without the foundation of mutual respect and tolerance. If you open your eyes, you will see in the exit of the Democratic Party in the U.S. the great rise of counterattacks by traditional, conservative powers in the U.S. and EU.

Trump won a comprehensive victory in both the popular and the electoral votes. Among his policy blueprints that the media has reported, regarding gender equity, he has mentioned the need to reduce the importance placed on diversity in society. He will also eliminate legal protections for LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer) citizens. He advocates ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs in governmental agencies, and has proposed that Congress legislate that only two genders be recognized at birth. How American society will change in the future is worth paying attention to.

Although progress should not stagnate, the approach to progress might need to change. Only with respect and tolerance can there be progress for diversity. Taiwan should avoid societal division and unrest caused by imbalance and conflict between those with traditional, conservative views and diverse, progressive views. Only with a truly diverse, free and equal society can we create a great, outstanding and extraordinary nation.