The initial concept of this creative project was inspired by the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. The death of George Floyd during the COVID-19 pandemic reignited the BLM movement in the United States, quickly leading to protests across the country and around the world. However, the growth and mobilization of the BLM movement cannot be understood as the result of a single event or simply attributed to “discrimination” rooted in white supremacy. Instead, it must be understood through a material and historical perspective that considers the changing nature of racial relations from a global point of view.

As a Taiwanese person living in the United States, I seek to look beyond the idea of discrimination alone and examine the structural conditions behind racial oppression, as well as the goals and origins of the movement. I also consider how the oppression of Black communities has developed over time and, from the perspective of the tensions between China and the United States and the broader context of global relations, how I, as a Taiwanese musician, can respond to the movement. Through music, I hope to understand, clarify, and document its development and turning points.

On a broader level, the two-movement orchestral suite Can I Breathe? explores the processes of conflict, intersection, and integration through the strong contrast between its two movements. Through contrasting timbres and the gradual gathering of musical materials, the work brings together musical expression and the social currents of its time.