Family Treasure

The 2020 election has just ended but there's no joy in winning with this family.

Yesterday the people of Taiwan, as well as the world, have witnessed yet another record in the history of democracy. No matter the result, life must go on because the votes won't live our lives. It was time to go back to our birth families and spend time there like the elections before, at least that was the plan. Surprisingly, the talk had never been once about the victory we should have been embracing but instead, on whether Miri (my wife, Korean) could vote or not and about the possibility of her nationalization.

Here's the thing. Logically speaking, for someone to convert to Taiwanese nationality is beyond reason. We do not have the advantages of those of countries such as Japan, Korea or the U.S. and that is a simple fact, neutral and objective. Having citizenship to me isn't of much meaning because it doesn't represent who I truly am but according to Flag Theory the benefits of Taiwanese citizenship are:

1. The right to live and work in Taiwan at all times

2. Access to educational and healthcare benefits

3. Visa-free or Visa on arrival to 134 countries,

and the same of South Korean citizenship are... I didn't find it anywhere in particular but any citizenship basically grants you permanent residency, the right to politics, healthcare, education and all except visa to other countries. Thus, if we must compare which one is better, Korea...

• is a country

• has more visa-free countries

• has a bigger/stronger economy system

• ... ... ...

Those are just facts, not criticism. For a Korean to convert to Taiwan is again, beyond reason. It has to be emotional. During searching, I learned that it actually is acceptable for Taiwan to have dual nationalities and it is Korea that doesn't allow it, except few special cases.

What's the point of conformity is you're already a member of the community where you're treated as a person? There isn't. We are not talking about me changing my nationality to Korea simply because that is a stronger country but asking someone from Korea to give up what she has just so to make you, outsiders of this marriage, to be a little happier.

What does citizenship mean when you acknowledge the country as well as its democracy and cultural background? In other words, what does love means in terms of marriage? If getting married means the love for your partner then only when you become Taiwanese can you prove your love for the country. That is populism; follow my logic, or you're my enemy. Under this logic, there was no discussion but word-throwing.

As someone who "chooses" not only to stay in Taiwan but to contribute for the common good, I DO NOT NEED ANY PAPERWORK TO SHOW/PROVE TO ANYONE THAT I LOVE TAIWAN. It is merely a game of politics. Ask yourselves how many of those who have Taiwanese citizenship actually cares about Taiwan? From the news last night, we know there are at least 5,522,129 people who may not even identify themselves as Taiwanese so what does nationality mean if not just another vote?

Regarding the "talk" I had with my parents last night for the explanation of why Miri should/will not renounce Korean nationality and convert to Taiwan, a lot more was discovered. My birth family...

• despise me/us(siblings) and think we're pawns manipulable by financial threats and greed.

• I not only have no contribution to the society(for not having children) but am ungrateful and disrespectful to traditions and family(for defying their demands).

• We are not worthy of being Taiwanese people because we pointed out facts that are negative to the image of the country.

• I am spoiled and have too much freedom(because I am independent).

Since the day I returned from Korea after purposing to my wife, I had already lost my mother, and now tragically, my father is gone as well. On the bright side, it's fortunate that this happens after I become self-sufficient. On the downside, (WTF) why does this have to happen and for some stupid superficial issue? What a disappointment. A lot of mean words were spoken and our relationship can never be the same again no matter what comes next.

Long story short, we won the election and performed the act of democracy but somehow I lost both my parents in the victory.

Money can't buy love, at least not mine. You can keep your wealth; I do not deserve it.

#selfreflect