The 2-28 Incident is one of the most influential events in recent Taiwan history, but there are few who can speak confidently about what happened that day. This especially holds true for younger people, for whom 2-28 was a far and distant event.
In my hometown in Changhua, there was an elderly doctor who passed away many years ago – his name was Zhan Zuo-zhou. Dr. Zhan was also a poet and a humanitarian. After graduating from the Governor-General's Medical School, he followed a less conventional path different from his classmates, and opened forming a clinic in the countryside of Changhua. The clinic served many impoverished farmers in the area.
When the events of the 2-28 Incident occurred, the elderly doctor took to the pen, pouring his thoughts and feelings into two poems, “On 2-28,” and “How the 2-28 Incident is Being Handled”. In these poems, Dr. Zhan recorded what he saw and felt at the time. I believe that these two poems are the most simple and clear introduction for any young person wishing to learn about 2-28.
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On 2-28
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With corruption rampant, a crisis had formed
A vendor's cigarettes were confiscated, part of a growing abuse of power
The youth were enraged, they demanded punishment
The people should rise, and protest this oppressive government
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How the 2-28 Incident is Being Handled
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The world has become dark and uncertain
right and wrong are reversed, anxiety and fear looms
Watching the government taking acts of revenge, arresting many innocent people-
hurts and angers me deeply
People have suffered injustice since ancient times, and today a disaster has arrived.
To treat life as if it were worthless, without regret –
those in power are letting this happen.
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from “Zhan Zuo-zhou's Complete Works” by Zhang Rui-he |
After writing these two poems, the elderly doctor was imprisoned for over 90 days in 1950 on falsified charges. After he was released, Dr. Zhan spent most of his leisurely time growing chrysanthemums. These two poems give all readers a telling glimpse of the historical events.
I believe that we must take the lessons of the 2-28 Incident to heart and reflect on our future path and ask: how do we stay on the road to peace and harmony? This is an urgent topic, one that we simply cannot ignore. The 2-28 Memorial Museum aims to serve as a mirror, providing an objective and impartial depiction of the events of February 28. The Museum will remind everyone to take a lesson from history, and to develop a responsible attitude towards the future.
Xie Ying-cong, Director, Taipei 2-28 Memorial Museum
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