Principal’s Behavior Changes Around Chiang Wan-an’s Son’s Award, Prompting Claims of Privilege

A school principal’s markedly different behavior toward Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an’s son and the student receiving an award before him has triggered a fresh online debate over privilege.

Video from a June ceremony shows Chiang’s eldest son, Chiang Te-li, receiving a special Taipei Mayor’s Award. The female student ahead of him appears to move toward the principal for a handshake, but the principal’s attention is already focused on Chiang. When Chiang approaches, the principal initiates a handshake.

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The real privilege is not having to explain yourself personally.

The footage drew criticism because Chiang Wan-an has already faced scrutiny over whether he properly followed conflict-of-interest rules while his son went to the United States as an exchange student. Commenters argued that recusal rules exist to prevent both deliberate and inadvertent unequal treatment.

One post said the principal ignored other award recipients, adding that the proactive handshake showed what privilege looks like. Other users wrote that the student wanted to shake hands while the principal’s eyes were fixed on Chiang, and questioned whether someone who displayed such favoritism was suitable to educate young people. The online discussion described the privilege not as needing special treatment openly, but as not having to explain oneself personally.

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You can have your own insistence, but I am not going to carry this blame.