Boycott
It is very overt now. There was a metamorphosis
happening in front of our school gates. In these few days, we can notice the
existence of big black banners laying on the ground, and people standing nearby
distributing small yellow ribbons, with the words spoken again and again
sempiternally as we students walk by. “Please support the boycott! Please
support the boycott!” Despite our hardest effort to wipe this slogan out of our
mind, this thought is still lingering inside our hearts. Should we participate
in this event? This is the common conundrum.
This article will delve into this enigma.
The proposition of this boycott was conceived by
several democratic activists in Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong Federation
of Students and Scholarism, two activist groups organized by students. They
prepared to organize a week long pro-democratic boycott starting from 23th
September. Students participating the boycott are advised to join rallies and
to attend public lectures which will be held in major parks near governmental
offices.
What is the reason leading to this proposition? Within
these several months, the debate of Occupy Central has been attracting more and
more attention. The discussion of whether solid actions has to be made to
request the Chinese government to grant Hong Kong genuine universal suffrage in
2017 elicits an augment of attention from the mass media. Activists groups who
planned Occupy Central are trying to proliferate and disseminate their message
that everyone is involved in this major political event, including secondary
students who were considered to remain callous towards political matters.
These are the details and background of this boycott.
Today, we are facing the dilemma of whether to exercise our own rights to speak
for Hong Kong’s future or to remain idle and follow the conventional chores of
a secondary school student.
Although we may not be able to make a choice without further
meditation, we do certainly witness something significant and new in this whole
event – the serious participation of secondary students in political matters.
This can be seen in two ways. Firstly, the boycott is
organized by several democratic activists groups in Hong Kong. As I’ve
mentioned, the major role is played by secondary school students, who formed
the activist groups and conceived of this idea. During the preceding days, we
can see them standing on stages, delivering vehement speeches like a governmental
officer, and shedding tears like a revolutionary hero. With excellent
cooperation and ability, they have already done something we can’t believe.
They have amalgamated a large group and supporters together and spread their
message well enough for people to believe that they are serious about the
boycott and Occupy Central. Secondly, it is lucid that all secondary school
students are affected by the new of the imminent boycott. Due to the brilliant propaganda
skills of the activists, there shall be students being attracted and will join
the boycott in Tuesday. Although it cannot be asserted that the response will
be significant, the participation of at least a few students is imperative.
So it is discovered that a new element will be added
to political events and discussions nowadays. A decade ago, this certain type
of situation is radical. A question may evolve that why such aberrant situation
in the past turns out to be lucid in this era. What are the reasons that substantiate
the emerging political force formed by school students?
In my sentiment, there are three factors contributing
to this situation.
Firstly, students are more aware of their civil
rights. According to the Basic Law of SAR, everyone has the right to enjoy the
freedom of speech, including citizens of all age groups. They are allowed to
articulate their thoughts about the present political situation in a high level
of freedom. This certain message has been picking up awareness in these few
years. Secondary school students understand that they also have the right to
speak up for their own intentions, and therefore begin to be more aware of the
politics of Hong Kong.
Secondly, there was a recent trend of blending
secondary education and the Hong Kong political environment. Since the introducing
of HKDSE as a displacement of HKCE, Liberal Studies has been one of the
subjects that are compulsory for secondary students. The curriculum of this
subject requires a fully understanding of the society and the political
environment of Hong Kong. In order to gain more experience and knowledge to
fully equip them for the HKDSE, students may consider devote time and effort to
really participate in these political events. Even those who are lethargic and
tend to sit and study also start to develop personal opinions towards certain
issues. Therefore, students are allowed to think more and even act under the
influence of the new examination.
Thirdly, students adopt the notion that they are the
future of the society. According to recent respected researches, a majority of
the major governmental officials in Hong Kong are of a relatively old age. As
they are pending towards retirement, it is an imperative that the younger
generation is going replace the older generation as the next government in Hong
Kong. This belief bolsters secondary school student’s confidence and
willingness to strive and have themselves involved in politics.
As a conclusion, the increasing awareness of rights, modern
education and strong belief are some of the major factors contributing to
secondary students increasing participation in political events, including the
recent boycott.
If we live in a different era, in a different Hong
Kong, perhaps a few decades ago, it would seem impossible for a boycott run by
students happen in this piece of land. But today, everything has changed. It is
certain that in the imminent future, we will see more and more political events
run by Hong Kong Federation of Students or Scholarism. Secondary students will
appear on out television screen more frequently, even until the day they step
up and rule this piece of land. When the time has come, it is inevitable.
But what comes before us now is not the imminent
future we conceived of. We are already facing the enigma of whether we should
participate in this boycott or not. This we will have to go with your heart,
whether you should follow your intrepid passion or your logical mind. However,
I do like you to answer a few question before you ascertain your decision.
1. Do
you think the boycott is effective in persuading the Chinese government to change
decisions?
2. Will
you guarantee that the boycott will only be held in an appropriate and peaceful
manner, with no latent violent events sprinkled along the process?
3. Do
you assure that your intention of achieving universal suffrage will come true,
even if you did not pay the effort?
4. Which
one do you think will be the best decision in improving your future life,
attending school or joining boycott?
Make your rational decision today.
