Warning: This week’s blog is my rant about HK from an outsider’s perspective. You may agree or disagree with me, but I want to purge all of this sadness and negativity from my system.
I see a formerly dynamic and great city crumbling in slow motion in front of the global stage. I fear that it will not recover from the deadly blows it is inflicting upon itself with many unseen hands aiding its destruction.
My biggest sadness is reserved for the youth of HK. I understand that you feel helpless and want to stand up to the wrongs. But do you know that you have been manipulated? It is good to fight for something you believe in, but if violence and destruction of public property is the only way you know how to demonstrate, then it is very wrong.
Beating up your elders will not score points with me or many other Asian adults. Hiding behind orange masks and hardhats that are supplied by unknown sponsors is not an excuse to beat up people who are against your views. In Asia, you never, EVER, beat up a defenceless elderly person. That leaves a very bitter after taste to your supporters. Seeing some of the videos of defenceless elderly people being beating by a group of masked youngsters really pisses me off.
Don’t you know that outside forces are manipulating all of you via social media (Telegram) and providing cash and equipment to the demonstrators? Do you question why they are doing so, their ulterior motives and agendas?
Most of you were born after the 1997 handover and now want to claim the type of democracy the British never gave to HK during the 156 years they occupied HK. Do you even know what you want? You don’t even believe your parents when they tell you of the realities they faced prior to the 1997 handover, yet you are being led to fight for something that is not only unachievable (5 demands) but it also seems that none of you even know what you want.
Get over it! You are part of China since 1997 when the British abandoned you. Because of China, HK has prospered as the main gateway to the north for the last 30 years. And now you bite the hand that feeds you? Don’t you know that you are part of China now? HK has been marginalized with the development of Chinese cities like Shanghai and newer cities. They really don’t need HK now. You are just quickening HK’s demise.
The HK government now acknowledges that housing cost is one of the main bugbears of discontentment. After so many years of colluding with the property tycoons, they have finally taken baby steps to face this situation. While there is still a long way to go to help the common people, the demonstrators still cannot get their act together.
There is no leadership. One supposedly leader is a crossdresser that organizes sex parties. Another is a school dropout. Sticking to the original 5 demands and not changing it does not work. The art of negotiation requires both parties to sit down and talk to each other, not for one side to seek opportunities to exploit the meeting by showing a confrontational meeting live.
The economy is tanking and businesses are dying. All parents should slap some sense into the kids. I always admire HKers for their pragmatism and hardworking character but this is all gone now. Hiding behind masks to create chaos may be fun to you, to embolden reckless behaviours. But things have gotten out of hand.
The recent no mask rule is long overdue. You claim it violates your freedom. Freedom to destroy public property? Note that most developed economies around the world adopt the no mask policy and make immediate police arrests if you do not take off your mask as part of terrorist management.
The recent slashing of the policeman by a stupid protestor is a case in point. Because he did not wear a mask, he could be identified and arrested straight away. Yet we still see elderly people being beaten in areas where the police cannot arrive in time.
Teenage bravado tends to dumb down the brain. Wake up, guys! Know who are pulling the puppet strings behind you and question that. Be constructive and gather your forces in a peaceful way to confront the government to talk things out. If the only aim is to shame your government, that stage is already over. Time to move to stage 2 and gain some traction for the movement.
I see the protesting has died down a bit in the last 2 weeks. It is about time everyone comes to their senses and picks up the pieces. I wish the youth of HK can grow some brain cells and consolidate their thoughts in an intelligent way to negotiate with a government that is more open to listening now. Don’t let the last 4 months of mayhem go to waste lah…
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