Journal

Months ago I saw the movie Monga(艋舺). Monga is a movie about the early gangsters fights in Wanhua District around 1960s. In the movie, the fierce and rude of gangsters are fully portrayed, but at the same time the director points out the great friendship between the young gangsters. In other words, for these young gangsters, fighting is not really to maintain the power and the territory of the gang, but to show their tough and strong friendship.

I enjoyed the movie very much. But I think the real Monga is not like what the movie depicts: a district full of gangsters, prostitutes and crimes. I've been to Monga area, somewhere around Lungshan temple, many times and I really love the classical Chinese style there. Wanghua district, where Monga is located, is famous for its fabulous culture and the ancient historical sites. I believe that the movie might somehow show some part of the history of Monga, but it might be misleading for the audience if we don't clarify that Monga has more cultural beauty than gangsters' fights.

Related Link: http://blog.yam.com/upart/article/25436416 我為什麼反對電影艋舺

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During the winter vacation, my friends and I held a winter camp called “2010烏鴉邦校園民主實踐營.” We invite students who have critical thinkings to join us and discuss what would it be like if we have a more democratic campus (or say learning environment).

The students were mainly from Northern Taiwan. Each of them had different stories about their life, their campus life and their family. We shared our experience at school and discovered that there were many unfairness should be improved. For example, the restriction of appearance (hair, dressing, shoes, etc.), the over-crowded courses embedded within one day, the prohibition of eating-out, and so on. We had hot discussions on the campus issues. And we even held a role play activity for them to try to persuade the so-called “stubborn teacher” and the “indifferent classmates.” It was a lot of fun.

Before we end the camp, we asked the students to come up with a working plan, which they will either directly or indirectly promote democracy in school after the winter camp. I was really happy that we can have such a nice camp in winter vacation, just before the Chinese New Year. I believe the students had learned a lot from the camp and it is very likely that they will play an important role of the society in the future.

Now we're planning to held a summer camp during the summer vacation. I hope that this time we can get to know more students who are interested in democracy and willing to learn more and have fun at Wu-lai (烏來).