What a tiny island nation taught me about speaking up

As some of y’all know, I took a bit of a break from writing emails–that’s because I was in Austria, skating with Team Taiwan at the Roller Derby World Cup! Being in Europe and playing my sport on the world stage is an unforgettable experience in itself, but something else took me by surprise: how much people cared about our story.

A driving goal for Team Taiwan was for us to compete on the world stage AS Taiwan. That’s something that hasn’t happened in world athletic competition, thanks to political pressures from mainland China: Taiwan competes as Chinese Taipei in world events, and has since 1984. 

It may not sound like such a big deal on the surface, but it reflects an ongoing threat to Taiwan’s independence. Even though Taiwan has functioned as a sovereign nation for over half a century, China still claims that Taiwan is their territory, and that they plan to reclaim it. Events like the Olympics have even gone so far as to ban Taiwan flags from the venue and eject fans with pro-Taiwan signs.

So, it was really important to us to be seen as Taiwan, not Chinese Taipei. But, it turned out that it was important to folks outside of our team, too.

Here’s just a slice of what happened over the four days of the tournament:

• We received countless comments and stories on our social media about how much it meant to derby fans to see Taiwan be recognized as a team.
• Fans of other teams were in the stands during our games, cheering for us as hard as they did for their own teams.
• Everyone from announcers to officials to skaters we’d never met went out of their way to talk to us, and share their support in the most gracious ways.
• During the Parade of Nations on the final day, we shared our team statement in front of thousands, and it was heard and acknowledged with so much respect and love from all of the other nations in attendance.

The thing that’s stuck with me in the days since is this: people care about our stories. That can be true whether it’s something monumental, or something mundane that feels relatable to the person hearing it. Stories make us feel things. Stories make us root for people and causes.

If a stadium filled with people from all over the world can care about a scrappy squad of skaters who came together as a team to represent a tiny island nation that’s only recognized by 12 countries on earth, then there’s at least one human who will care about a story YOU have to tell.

We’re living in a time where stories are needed, and where that shared humanity may be what saves us. Our voices can carry so, SO far, if we’re willing to use them.

So, whether it’s art, or marketing, or rabble-rousing, PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE. You never know who may be listening.

Until next time,
--Sarah