What is settler colonialism and how are its impacts still evident in the societies of the U.S. and Taiwan? As members of settler colonial societies, is it possible to speak up about some of the problems without appropriating Indigenous people’s causes and knowledge?

Professor Shih Shu-mei shares inspirational insights into the ways in which comparative literature can have a voice on these issues. Her innovative method of “comparison as relation” provides a way of equalising literature from all peoples and nations, a significant step away from the traditional Eurocentric method of comparison. She also discusses the role of Indigenous knowledge as a potential key not just for Taiwan’s future but also for addressing global problems.

Finally, there is a challenge for each of us to “shed our privileges” and centre Indigenous issues, not only for the sake of justice, but also for the sake of our common future.

Shu-mei Shih, Professor of Comparative Literature, Asian Languages and Cultures, and Asian American Studies, is the Irving and Jean Stone Chair Professor in Humanities. She was the inaugural holder of the Edward W. Said Professorship in Comparative Literature (2019-2022) and the past President of the American Comparative Literature Association (2021-2022).

Podcast from NTNU International Taiwan Studies Centre
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