For a school that prides itself on its all-encompassing curriculum and inclusive values, the conservatism that lies at the core of Taipei American School (TAS) is astounding. One may take a fleeting glance at TAS, briefly witnessing its liberal English classes and diaspora of change-making clubs, and assume that this school unfailingly encourages anyone and everyone to express themselves freely. Though this typically has been the case for more undisputed matters, traditionalism reigns supreme the moment a nerve-striking subject comes to light, often resulting in valuable perspectives and important conversations being silenced. As an educational institution that aims to promote principles of freedom, courage and justice, it’s time that TAS stops fearing controversy and, instead, welcomes it with open arms.

Over the last several years, various student-led clubs at TAS have repeatedly been subjected to censorship and restriction by figures of authority when attempting to discuss contentious, politically-charged topics. One such club was Rise Up, an association that advocates for intersectional feminism and gender equity. Last semester, Rise Up hosted a Christmas-themed bake sale on campus, hoping to utilize the funds raised to alleviate the plight of women in Palestine who had been impacted by the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Rise Up had several discussions before the event with members of the faculty to make it clear to the community that they were focusing on the humanitarian ramifications of the conflict and not the politics of the war. Nonetheless, a complaint alleging anti-Semitism prompted the administration to demand it shut down and even threaten to disband the club.

“Although I had no intention of spreading any political messages, I realized that political issues often intertwine with humanitarian issues which can make people feel strong emotions of discomfort, anger, or sadness,” Chloe H. (‘24, she/her), the president of Rise Up, said. “However, I believe that it is important to actively face issues that make us uncomfortable because that is an effective way to open our minds up to the complexity of world issues.” We couldn’t agree with Chloe more.

It is true that TAS is a private institution with an important reputation to preserve as well as a responsibility to prevent harmful, disrespectful and insensitive messages from spreading amongst the school community.

“[Independent schools] have a vested interest in ensuring safe and nurturing learning and working environments for all students, faculty and staff,” said Ms. Becky Read (she/her), the Upper School Principal. “For this reason, the administration may exert control over speech or expression that has the potential effect of creating a hostile learning environment and/or working environment for members of our community.” In addition to maintaining peace and safety, sharing and amplifying the voices of TAS’ diverse variety of perspectives, ideas, and cultures is extremely difficult to execute; censorship is often a convenient and necessary tool for managing such complex situations.

However, Rise Up’s predicament was not, in any way, a situation of discourteous behavior or political impertinence; the students involved did not at all express any kind of anti-Semitic intention, and weren’t even taking a political stance but rather helping to alleviate a humanitarian crisis. Yet, merely because the subject matter they were addressing was controversial and emotive, their event was treated as though it were a direct threat to the school and no deliberation between the parties involved was allowed. We believe that the actions of the administration not only disrespected Rise Up as a club but also violated TAS students’ right to freedom of speech and expression.

The discussion of debatable, often uncomfortable subjects is a mechanism for students to discover and cultivate their own value systems, morals, and beliefs. TAS cannot, in good conscience, sacrifice the learning, development, and freedom of its students in the name of preserving its reputation and avoiding disagreement. We cannot allow our desires for comfort and predictability interfere with the basic principles of American education.

The administration understands this (at least in theory). “It’s our job as educators to teach you as students to hear from all sides [of the story] and understand everyone’s perspectives, and then for you to make your decisions and your perspectives through critical thinking after hearing all of those perspectives,” said Ms. E-chieh Lin (she/her), The Director of Inclusion and Wellbeing at TAS. The Rise Up situation was mismanaged, but there is no reason we can’t set this right.

What we believe the administration should have done was mediated a discussion between the two parties. Placing an emphasis on interactive discourse would have helped build a stronger community out of the ashes of disagreement. TAS is a remarkably socially aware school that deserves to face global challenges in a way that is befitting of our generation. The administration should be a partner in this, ensuring that one group’s advocacy does not make another group feel unsafe, but also not completely silencing one group’s voices for the sake of another’s comfort. We, both administration and student body, need to collectively work towards mediating difficult situations to reach satisfactory resolutions. Already, progress is being made towards this point. Rise Up is in the process of speaking with the administration and the individual who complained, and more agreeable solutions are slowly being reached.

Recently, TAS has failed to encourage student freedom of speech, but by speaking up and speaking to each other, we can move towards a braver future.