Minister Gu said that the White Terror claimed many victims in the Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli areas, yet there has been a lack of discussion on the relevant history for a long time. Strengthening the historical memory and human rights awareness of ethnic groups calls for great public attention at present. She also mentioned that HAC holds the Hakka Contribution Awards every two years. In addition to commending those who have made great contributions in terms of Hakka culture, the Special Contribution Award recognizes influential Hakka individuals that have dedicated themselves to society. Fred Chin Him-san is a winner of such award this year, as he deserves gratitude and appreciation for his long commitment and impact to the sphere of human rights.
Fred Chin Him-san stated that the purpose of publishing this book is to recount the past in a bright and positive manner, rather than fostering a hate narrative: only thus can society truly understand and ponder history. He believes that rather than polarization, human rights accounts aim to enable people from different generations and stances to learn about past events through accurate historical facts.
Fred Chin Him-san further emphasized that the most important purpose of sharing these stories is to ensure that children growing up in Taiwan will not allow the painful past to repeat. He hopes that through his own life story and those of many others, future generations can realize that even if they have lost the courage to survive in extreme adversity, they can still get back on their feet a long period of hardship and find their path into the future.
Fred Chin Him-san is currently a human rights activist and a senior volunteer at the National Human Rights Museum. He frequently gives guided tours to international visitors and serves as the chief speaker for the Human Library of the human rights story van, touring schools to share his experiences from the White Terror. Fred Chin Him-san hopes that before his last breath, he can witness Taiwan’s tireless progress as it stands proudly among the global community.