Political/cultural practices for reform/revolution are like trickling streams of rivers. The rivers never have to depend on any particular stream; yet, any stream may be the springhead of a river.”
Yang Tsu Chuen, assistant professor of Communication in Chinese Culture University, with a Ph.D. in Communication from University of Massachusetts Amherst, has been involved in social movements in Taiwan such as “Sing our own songs” (1977–80), “The Lin Cheng Chieh street swirl” (1986), “Homeward Bound Freely and Fearlessly" of the mainlanders in Taiwan and the overseas Taiwanese dissidents (1987–89), and “The National Committee on Judicial Reforms” (1987–88). She became a political personality in the opposition movement in the 1980s, and published various magazines and books.
In the 1970s, studying in Tanchiang University, Yang Tsu Chuen took part in the folk song movement for cultural reflection. On graduation, she participated in cultural movements, social service, and the opposition movement. She organized the New Voice Integrated Arts Troupe, toured factories, campuses and villages to sing socially conscious songs in dialects and indigenous languages. Unfortunately, the Nationalist government regarded her as involved in a conspiracy to reveal social evils joining students and workers movements. After that, she gradually became a political personality in the camps of the opposition. In the 1980s, she published “Progress Weekly”, translated “The Green Protest”, M. Parenti’s “Democracy for the Few”, joined the movement on the streets, participated in the founding of the Democratic Progressive Party and in election campaigns. During this period, she served as founding member of the DPP and member of its first central committee. She also served as the board chair of Wan Ching Association, initiator and editor of "Spring Wind Monthly", "Progress Weekly", and "Strait Review". Yang continues to participate in the social movement as an academic scholar. Her writings include "The Roses are Blooming" (1992), "With Love, Dreams, and Hopes" (1993), "The Great Love of Women" (1994), and "Taiwanese Betrayed" (2005).