UNION DAILY NEWS 聯合報 and other Asian Papers

Before I moved to the US in 1971, I had my cartoons published in newspapers in Taipei but I stayed connected with one of the papers, Union Daily, and had my cartoons published in Taiwan while I was in the States. The topics of my cartoons often poked fun at the differences in cultures. 

   

During that period Taiwan had been under Martial Law since 1948. I recall one day in 1970 the chief editor at one of the newspapers cautioned me to be careful when drawing an old, bareheaded character with a mustache because the authority could potentially condemn me for mocking President Chiang Kai-shek, which was a no-no. So, I did not dare to do any political cartoons in Taiwan until I came to Los Angeles in early 1971. 

 

School in Chicago didn't start until September so I took the opportunity to travel across the country. In Chicago, I looked for jobs unsuccessfully, and in Washington D.C. I worked at a Roy Rogers Roast Beef for a few weeks before moving to New York where I worked as a waiter at a Chinese restaurant in the suburbs. On one of my days off, I took a 2-hour bus ride to Times Square which was more of a rundown neighborhood compared to the glitzy tourist attraction it is known for now.  I went to a poster shop and saw a big colored poster with President Nixon sitting on a toilet, pants down, flashing his iconic V finger gesture and saying: “SMILE”. I was shocked about the freedom of speech in this country. I felt liberated and since then I am no longer afraid to say and draw anything.

 

Martial Law in Taiwan was lifted on July 15, 1987. I noticed that freedom of speech was gradually given back to the people. I even published a few political cartoons regarding events in Taiwan without too much fear. However, it’s my choice to focus my cartoons on funny topics and lightheartedly poke fun at the differences in cultures.