光復香港 時代革命 (Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times)
We experienced so much heartbreak in the past 18 months.
Since June 2019, we threw ourselves into the protest movement, at home and globally. When the Hong Kong authorities try to break us, we remained strong and optimistic, even when we have lost so much to state suppression and violence. And now, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is now stripping Hong Kong of any reminiscences of human rights and liberty.
When I was younger, I believed that Hong Kong would have 50 years of autonomy. Growing up to the horror stories of violent suppression in mainland China, I remember feeling blessed that I lived a border away from tyranny. Oh, I was a naive child.
Deep underneath, I knew this day would come, but not this soon.
We started this year with high hopes, but not everything worked in our favour. The CCP has tossed its full weight to crush Hong Kong, stripping away everything from education, civil service, private sector, banking, media industry, to the freedom of movement. Our home has disappeared right in front of us, and there was nothing we could have done to stop it. Even though Hong Kong is nothing like the city I grew up in, I miss it so much.
In this joyous season, I am filled with sorrow and survivor’s guilt. Over the years, I spent most of my Christmas in Hong Kong. Even after a decade of living in Canada, it still feels strange to be away from home during the holiday season. This year has been particularly difficult. I think about the 12 Hong Kong youths who are captured in China, facing a secret trial without just representation. The countless activists tortured, jailed, detained, or killed; and we don’t even know their stories.
Repeatedly, I think to myself: what must we do to survive this regime?
We can choose to conform and obey in silence. That is not a life I wish for anyone. Hong Kongers refused to conform to the CCP’s authoritarian regime. We know there is no justice until we are freed from the oppressors in Beijing.
I dream of the day when I can go home again, to a democratic and liberated Hong Kong. But dreaming will not change the minds of our oppressors. It will be hard work and struggle to continue the movement that we started together a year and a half ago.
Our hearts may break again and again. We may feel small joys before we are reminded of the cruel reality, and the joy fades away again. Despite the heartaches and joylessness, there is no other choice but to fight for a life that is free from oppression.
And maybe one day, we can feel joy again.
=====
In solidarity with Uyghurs, Tibetans, Mongolians, and communities marginalized by the Chinese Communist Party.
