by Robert Wilkinson
This may not seem important to many, but it is a victory for freedom. The people of Hong Kong just drew the line in the dirt, rejecting Beijing's desire to push authoritarian propaganda on the children of Hong Kong.
We find this out courtesy of the BBC story Hong Kong backs down over Chinese patriotism classes.
It seems Beijing was trying to push "patriotism" indoctrination classes on the children of Hong Kong, and tens of thousands of people began protests that have forced the HK government to reconsider that project. An election is coming up and the current government wants to stay in power, which at this point means they have to do what the people want rather than what Beijing dictates.
From the story: "According to AFP news agency, course material funded by the government extolled the benefits of one-party rule, equated multi-party democracy to chaos, and glossed over events like the Tiananmen Square crackdown and the mass starvation of Mao Zedong's regime."
So someone decided it was better to push back against the Central powers now rather than wait until a generation was brainwashed into believing that Beijing serves anything other than its own need for power. So in this match, I'll have to call it as Hong Kong Freedom 1, Authoritarian Brainwashing ZERO!
Copyright © 2012 Robert Wilkinson
Hi all - Here's more from MSNBC and Reuters:
http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/08/13745338-hong-kong-backs-down-on-plan-to-make-kids-learn-chinese-patriotism?lite
Posted by: Robert | September 08, 2012 at 08:32 AM
I am from Hong Kong. This is only the beginning of a fight between the parents / teachers vs the government. Far from a victory!
Posted by: belinda | September 08, 2012 at 05:04 PM
Hi belinda - Thanks for checking in. It's not a "final victory," but it is a victory nonetheless, since any time any of us can get authoritarians to back down even a step, it's a victory for freedom. Keep up the good work!!
Posted by: Robert | September 08, 2012 at 06:01 PM
yep this sounds like a standing firm in belief and putting energy into creating freedom than wasting energy fighting against control, way ta go and a fine example for the rest of us, IMO :)
Posted by: Debbie Eastick | September 08, 2012 at 06:08 PM
Nice example to all countries. Hong KOng people are helping the rest of the world collective and we should take a leaf out of their book. Specially during elections campaign. Just listen to the language used.
Well done for HK
Posted by: Nic | September 09, 2012 at 03:48 AM
So Wonderful....
Posted by: Catherine | September 09, 2012 at 11:45 PM