From the Strait to the Streets
Coming Soon…
“I grew up in different places; I had an international upbringing. I think it's the interaction of that, and my identity as somebody who is Taiwanese, that has shaped my entire trajectory in life, really, and the path that I'm currently on.”
Born in Taiwan, Aurora spent her formative years in South Africa, the United States, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Her international upbringing not only strongly influenced her worldview, but her self-view as well. She had developed an unquestioned understanding of her identity as a Chinese person from Taiwan as opposed to the People’s Republic, but her move to Singapore marked a pivotal shift for her in this regard. There, she encountered Chinese nationals who questioned her distinction between being a Chinese person from Taiwan versus mainland China. This forced her to reconsider the political and historical complexities of her identity, leading her to a clearer understanding of Taiwan’s fraught relationship with China and its quest for self-determination.
Aurora developed a strong interest in activism while studying history, politics, and economics with a regional focus on Eastern Europe and Russia at a university in the UK. During the 2019 anti-extradition protests in Hong Kong, she participated in parallel demonstrations in London and found a sense of community among activists. This extended to involvement in the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, as well as regular protests outside the Chinese embassy in London. Her advocacy extends to amplifying the voices of marginalized groups, including Palestinians, Tibetans, Uyghurs, and Hong Kongers, advocating for their right to self-determination.
Aurora’s leftist ideology is grounded in anti-imperialist, anti-colonial solidarity. While she acknowledges that the “leftist” label encompasses a broad spectrum of beliefs, her focus lies in addressing the impacts of colonialism and authoritarianism. She critiques the binary perspective that often characterizes both leftist and conservative thinking, which muddles a more nuanced and fair-minded understanding of global power dynamics. She faults both sides for creating stereotypical, black-and-white paradigms that lack internal logic, particularly Western leftists, like bemoaning US imperialism while overlooking the serious human rights violations of China and Russia, and only selectively supporting liberation movements. She highlights the challenges posed by “Campism”—a tendency within the global left to oversimplify geopolitical conflicts into binary oppositions of imperialist and anti-imperialist forces—and emphasizes the need for solidarity that transcends such reductive frameworks. As a queer feminist herself, she also is a strong advocate for trans rights and social justice. Aurora’s work with New Bloom, a Taiwanese organization advocating for independence and leftist ideals, exemplifies her commitment to this balanced approach.
Another criticism that Aurora has for some on the Western left is a tendency to overlook or dismiss local voices. “They have never talked to a Taiwanese person or a Tibetan person or whoever, like ever, and they speak over us and call us ‘Ops,’ they call us CIA or whatever!” she exclaims. “If you would just sit somebody down to talk about it, getting that personal perspective helps a lot. It helps humanize us and humanize our stories.”
Aurora highlights the challenges of navigating complex intersections of identity and ideology, especially in the present day. In her work, she has faced accusations ranging from “wokeism” to being a “CIA agent” or a “CCP shill,” underscoring the polarized nature of contemporary, political discourse, as well as the need for nuanced, intersectional approaches to activism. She emphasizes the value of long-form conversations and personal engagement as tools for fostering understanding and breaking down stereotypes.
Aurora next touches upon her involvement with the Tibetan struggle. She notes that while it has become a less prominent issue in recent years, it remains a significant movement with a long history of nonviolent advocacy. The Tibetan diaspora continues to fight against Chinese colonization, highlighting issues such as colonial boarding schools and forced DNA collection. She distinguishes between the “Middle Way” approach--endorsed by the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration--which seeks autonomy within the framework of the Chinese state, and the push for full independence, championed by younger, more radical activists. While personally skeptical of the Middle Way approach, Aurora respects the principle of self-determination and the diverse strategies within the Tibetan movement.
Regarding her work with Uyghur activists, Aurora describes it as being driven by an urgency to address documented atrocities, including genocide, and the use of concentration camps and forced labor. She adds that learning about the Uyghurs’ plight was a turning point in her activism, propelling her into broader human rights advocacy.
Aurora next turns her attention to an analysis of China’s regional and global influence. “China, to me, is a representation of authoritarianism and power,” she says. She identifies China’s neo-colonial practices, such as its strategic alliances with authoritarian regimes, as central to its geopolitical strategy. She also explores the dynamics within the Milk Tea Alliance, a coalition of diverse, pro-democracy activists who are collectively resisting authoritarianism and state violence; one key, unifying factor is China's oppressive force in the region. Aurora acknowledges that the Taiwanese people have a relatively privileged position within the Alliance, as citizens of a prosperous, independent nation compared to, say, the Uyghurs and Tibetans, but she stresses the importance of solidarity among all the alliance’s diverse movements.
The situation in Myanmar holds particular significance for Aurora. It exemplifies both the darkest aspects of authoritarianism and the resilience of grassroots resistance for her. While not directly involved with Burmese activist groups, she follows developments closely and draws inspiration from the sustained fight against the military junta. Aurora praises the organizational strength and tactical ingenuity of the movement, viewing it as a model for other activists in other countries. She also reflects on the psychological toll of witnessing atrocities, describing the images of violence and suffering as a stark reminder of the stakes involved in these struggles, and of the interconnected nature of global resistance efforts. This sense of interconnectedness informs Aurora’s thoughts on Taiwan’s current political landscape.
Here, however, Aurora voices concerns about what she sees as a sense of complacency on the part of the Taiwanese people and the erosion of democratic values in the country. She warns of the growing influence of pro-China forces within Taiwan’s government and the potential threats to its sovereignty. Drawing parallels with other regions, she emphasizes the importance of civil defense and preparedness in the face of potential crises. She feels that there are important lessons from Myanmar’s resistance to be learned about proactive measures in Taiwan, particularly regarding tactical readiness and community organization. Yet she also realized that for any real change to take place, it requires not only great dedication, but also a wealth of patience and persistence, as well.
“It’s literally like, you change one mind at a time, and you thank God for it!” she says, reflecting on the slow yet steady work of activism. “It’s just like that, and that has to be enough for the time being. It’s a really slow process, but listening is so important, and getting those stories out, amplifying the voices of people who are in these intersections, is really important.”
If you are interested in listening to past episodes from our archive that touch upon similar themes, we suggest the following:
· Thiri describes how her journey–from a student in an English program in Yangon to becoming a key figure in journalism and human rights advocacy in Myanmar–has been shaped by years of political and social challenges. She emphasizes the resilience required to navigate a restrictive environment, as well as the transformative power of education in creating opportunities during periods of political upheaval. Her narrative demonstrates how individual growth can become a force for broader societal change in the face of systemic injustice.
· Ni Ni tells the story of her harrowing experiences during protests, emphasizing the fear and shock of encountering military violence for the first time. Her reflections highlight the tragic, cyclical nature of oppression in Myanmar's history, as well as the unexpected role of ordinary citizens in responding to systemic abuses, evoking the themes of resilience and the will to fight for justice.
· Little T shares how the coup transformed her life, moving her from a career in development to joining the revolution as an activist. Her account exemplifies the courage and adaptability of individuals who shift from passive to active resistance in response to authoritarianism, resonating with the broader theme of taking transformative action within oppressive systems.
· Hnin Thet Hmu Khin discusses the vital yet underappreciated role of women in Myanmar's revolution, both in civilian and combat roles, and also the gender-based challenges they face. Her perspective sheds light on the intersection of systemic gender inequality and political upheaval, connecting to themes of visibility, representation, and justice within a broader revolutionary context.
· Brian Hioe discusses his journey from early activism to involvement in movements like the Sunflower Movement and the Milk Tea Alliance, noting connections between Myanmar and broader regional struggles for human rights. His experiences reflect a sense of solidarity across borders, showing how shared values of justice and equality unite diverse struggles against oppression.