We Are HKers - V | Strangers On The Same Path - A City of Creative Comrades

V is a Venezuelan-born 14-year-old secondary school student and is currently living in Chile. Thanks to a coincidence, she is now a member of an online promotional team, providing artworks and Spanish-translated materials to the team.

“The general public may think that art is something unrealistic, something difficult to understand, but it could be down-to-earth too. This movement is filled with different forms and types of artwork. They have become a part of our daily life, bringing people from different age groups and locations together.

With art, a kid or a foreigner who does not understand Chinese could understand the meaning conveyed in an artwork. This makes information of the protest easier to reach. That’s the spirit of art - art speaks louder than words.”

— V

Journalist: Siksyu

Illustrator: Thank.kiu.very.much

If someone asks where I am from, I may hesitate - Venezuela? Chile? Guangdong? Or Hong Kong?

I am V and I am 14 years old. I was born in Venezuela and my parents are from Guangdong. We moved to foreign countries when I was small and I currently live in Chile.

From following Instagram accounts of Hong Kong artists, I started to know about the Anti-Extradition Movement in Hong Kong from their posts or stories. I shared my first post related to the Movement on 12 June. In August, after seeing the escalating use of violence of the Hong Kong Police Force, I became more aware of the developments in Hong Kong.

Live in Chile, Stand with Hong Kong.

Living outside Hong Kong, I could only read about Hong Kong’s situation through social media like Instagram or Twitter. The media here in Chile seldom make detailed reports about the protest in Hong Kong, probably due to the friendly relations between Chile and China. People here only have a brief understanding of what is happening in Hong Kong, and are generally uninterested.

Meanwhile, Chileans are also facing a social crisis. A rise in rail ticket prices led to a series of protests, which triggers strong feelings of dissatisfaction towards the unfairness of the social system.

Owing to that, it is not difficult to understand why Chile does not have a high level of awareness or support towards the Hong Kong protest, compared to other Western countries. It is indeed difficult to find fellow comrades in Chile, and I am no longer friends with someone with different political stances because of sharing protest-related materials on social platforms.

What I can do is to follow the news on the media and keep a close eye on the situation. It may be a little difficult to participate in the protest, but it is nothing compared to those fighting in and for Hong Kong.

Voice out with art, to protest with art

Even though I am in Chile, I am still able to find my spot in the protest, as a member of an art promotional group named Freetoberhk. They mainly invite artists to join some events, and help translate the materials into Spanish.

Initially, I just wanted to join the events instead of being a member of the group; but I misread the term ‘join the event’ as ‘join the team’ in the application form and such ‘misunderstanding’ was created.

My intention is to bring my talent to the stage by doing drawings to record this protest and preserve it in history.

The general public may think that art is something unrealistic, something difficult to understand, but it could be down-to-earth too. This movement is filled with different forms and types of artwork. They become a part of our daily life, bringing people from different age groups and locations together.

With art, a kid or a foreigner who does not understand Chinese could understand the meaning conveyed in an artwork. This makes information of the protest easier to reach. That’s the spirit of art - art speaks louder than words.

If...

I studied in China for some years but I’ve never been to Hong Kong. If my parents did not leave China with me, I would still be studying there, reading People’s Daily everyday and together with my parents blaming the ‘rioters’ for bringing disturbance to Hong Kong. I am fortunate to stay and live in a foreign country now because I can know about this movement through freely accessing social interaction applications.

Earlier, my mom spotted me drawing something for promotional use, and said that I was too young and my stance was not mature enough.

My first thought was, even though my stance may not seem mature to her, at least I am able to identify what is wrong and what is right, I understand reasons and consequences, I still had empathy. A comrade once reminded me not to quarrel with family members because of political stances. Now whenever we talk about politics, wherever it is about Hong Kong or Chile, I would keep quiet in front of my family.

When I was in Chile, I once imagined what would happen if I were in Hong Kong. I believe my parents would be typical ‘blue-ribbons’*. I would have classmates who walk with me, go to the streets during the weekend and attend student assemblies after school with me. We would stick promotional materials on Lennon walls when we were free, or face provocations from ‘blue-ribbons’ and the riot police. It is difficult for me to believe this is what Hongkongers face everyday.

These days Hong Kong has become a place with strong human touch. Despite having never met each other, if we walk on the same path, we are comrades. This really warms my heart and I wish I have a chance to visit Hong Kong.

Now, if you ask me to introduce myself again, I will say…

“I am V, I am a HKer.”

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V | Strangers On The Same Path - A City of Creative Comrades

Live in Chile, Stand with Hong Kong.

Voice out with art, to protest with art

If...

Support our Journalism with a Contribution