Candy | A single mother - “As a mother, of course I am very worried; but as a Hongkonger, I have to let him go out.”
A part-time domestic helper with a 25-year old son.
A mother who changed her view to support her son to go out. She also shared her son's change after returning from Australia with a university degree. And she was also more involved compared to the umbrella movement. As a Christian, she believes that life is not just ... eat, sleep, and die.
“He was once soaked in blue dye from the water cannon. I was miserable. That’s my son! I don’t want him to get hurt. Yet I know that I can’t stop him from heading out just because he is my son. What about someone else’s son?”
Journalist: Tangerine
Photo: Candy
Illustrator: Christy
It’s no longer like the old days.
My feelings towards the Umbrella Movement (originally ‘Occupy Central with love and peace’) was simply out of concern and support at the time. I felt that there was nothing I could do then as I lack the physique to camp out and occupy [the streets] with them. Moreover, my involvement back then was far less— I was not as passionate. This time when the government pushed the extradition bill forward, I truly understand its pros and cons for Hong Kong, and deeply feel the threat this bill holds against the freedom of every Hongkonger. That's why I have always been against the bill, closely following its status and joining protests to voice out.
My son came back from overseas in July for a month of summer holiday. He worked part-time while studying in the library every day for the exams. The company he worked at issued notices advising employees not to take part in any rallies and protests. Some bosses would even invite employees out for a meal on the day-of, subtly stopping them from attending assemblies. Ironically, several employees have recently criticised the company’s management for disrespecting human rights. For someone of such high status, they surely have a very narrow mindset, don’t they?
My son and I did nothing more than going out for rallies when this movement first started, nothing more ‘forward’ or ‘radical’. My son’s mindset then was, “Hong Kong is none of my business. I am a resident in another country.” He was rather disheartened towards Hong Kong’s future. Later, he started to see injustice playing out on the police’s side and got angrier day by day. He started to become a little more ‘forward’. On one night, I had a chat with my son till 4am. He told me, “I have been considering to settle down abroad, but now is not the right time.” Though he usually avoid talking about going on the streets, I still know about it. He helps the injured wash their eyes. He was once soaked in blue dye from the water cannon.
I was miserable. That’s my son! I don’t want him to get hurt. Yet I know that I can’t stop him from heading out just because he is my son. What about someone else’s son? As a mother, of course I am very worried; but as a Hongkonger, I have to let him go out, because there’s nothing wrong with what he is doing. His ideals are well supported by conscience. He sees many injured, many unreasonably treated, thus the will to go to the frontlines and help those youngsters. I see that the government’s response and attitude are nothing but oppression and is hurting even more innocent people. That’s when I realise that I cannot be a coward anymore!
At the same time, my friends make me feel helpless sometimes. I am a Christian. Many church members around me say that we should not talk about politics at church, for “church and state shall be separated”. However, they misunderstood its definition. When Martin Luther King proposed that the church should not hold any political power, he did not mean we should turn a blind eye against politics. Moreover, the Bible teaches us to speak up for what ‘should’ be as Christians. Some also suggest that the church should not support the protestors, but the Bible also teaches us that the church is a refuge. We should protect the injured, especially the young ones.
In my social circle, and especially the church, I witnessed backs turning among people. Lots of meals, birthday parties and gatherings have to be cancelled. Friends who only meet once every few months avoided seeing each other due to political differences. Some stopped coming to church, and even decided not to be baptised here. Some choose to join marches on Sundays, and some argue that Sundays should be reserved for getting “close to God”. These make my heart feels so heavy. Yet, what I feel most helpless about is that many still choose to close their eyes and cover their ears against the truth, excusing everything that has happened with “I don’t know”. They pretend nothing happened and refuse to learn about what’s happening in their own society. When I talk about social affairs with them, they often respond with, “Really? I didn’t know. I don’t read these kind of news. Reading them makes me uncomfortable.”
Not reading them, though, does not mean these have never happened, does it?
Some say damaging public facilities is violence. Then what about the police’s actions? Aren’t those what’s really violent? Broken objects or glass could be mended and repaired; but murdering, injuring, crippling someone is for life! How could you make amends for that? What really is violence? Some say, “Violence is just wrong. Destroying public property and wrecking other’s living is wrong!” Yet, this is them failing to see the big picture, focusing only on the present. In the Bible, Jesus didn’t just settle the chaos between Israel and Rome. He was there to bring upon change and saviour for everyone and for eternity. As a follower and a human-being, shouldn’t we be more far-sighted? Instead of settling and be content with our current comfort and pleasure? Will we still enjoy our freedom in the future? Don’t just care about your own interests, think about our next generation. Why are they at the frontlines? Who doesn’t want a happy summer holiday? Who doesn’t want to stay in bed till 10am for breakfast, and then go to the movies?
Hong Kong’s summer is so hot, and yet, they are going on the streets. Why? Have we all thought about this?
Alas, sometimes it’s impossible to change someone’s mind.
Living in Hong Kong, if we remain indifferent, how will life be for our next generation? Our government has already “offered” lots of resources to the mainland through white elephant projects. They only know how to benefit the Chinese government and let all money flow into the mainland. And now, the government is even restricting and monitoring your freedom of movement. If we don’t speak up, how will we survive? In fact, this leads to a more important and substantial issue: As a person, do we live only to survive? Should we seek for higher values such as freedom and democracy in our lives, or are “two meals a day” all there is to it?
I think Hongkongers have to take the extra step! If everyone does so, there is hope for Hong Kong. Even though we are not in control of the outcome, if we each play our part, we are Hongkongers with no regrets.
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