KITA Foundation invites you to join our very first book club, featuring Island X: Taiwanese Student Migrants, Campus Spies, and Cold War Activism by Wendy Cheng.
This compelling book begins with the experiences of Taiwanese student migrants during the Cold War, tracing their lives in the United States, the political surveillance they faced, and their participation in overseas pro-democracy activism. By weaving together themes of state violence, transnational surveillance, and collective memory, Island X speaks directly to KITA’s mission of engaging with transitional justice and intergenerational trauma.
We chose this book not only because it revisits a largely overlooked chapter of history, but also because its stories are deeply connected to the origins of KITA in Pittsburgh. In 1981, Dr. Chen Wen-chen — a Taiwanese mathematician teaching at Carnegie Mellon University — was found dead during a visit to Taiwan under suspicious circumstances, in what many believe was a politically motivated killing. His death shocked the international community and marked a turning point in Taiwan’s path toward democratization. Over four decades later, we ask: how did overseas Taiwanese people of that era live through political repression and surveillance? And how have these experiences and memories been passed down across generations? What actions can we take today to collectively safeguard Taiwan's democracy, ensuring that future generations remember the past and continue to progress?
Island X opens up a space for us to reflect on these questions and talk through them — together.
📅 Date: Every fourth Thursday of the month, starting Thursday, April 24th
🕣 Eastern Time: 8:30 PM
🕠 Pacific Time: 5:30 PM
💻 Format: Online
🗣 Language: Primarily in English
⏱ Duration: 60–90 minutes
Each session will begin with a brief introduction to the reading, followed by an open discussion where participants are encouraged to share thoughts, reflections, and experiences. To foster meaningful dialogue, space will be limited—please register early to secure your spot.
We encourage you to buy your copy of Island X at the University Washington Press or your favorite local bookstores.