Daring to sacrifice amidst billowing smoke; Finding courage amongst the swells
Writer: Inblackguy
Illustrator: Tendarken
Translators: Yellow Umbrella, Zucchhi
Editorial: Zucchhi, WWood
“There’s no revolution without blood.” Revolution is the heftiest form of resistance. The bravery and sacrifices of revolutionaries are not only captured through camera lenses during confrontation and bloodshed, but also shown in their unyielding souls.
“I still don’t regret standing on the frontlines,” said 17-year-old Hin who was arrested.
“What’s most important to me now is to protect our next generation,” said 24-year-old Dante, the founder of Syun Mahn.
Hong Kong’s leaderless movement attracted many young “unsung heroes” to come forward either using their bodies to fend off the weaponry of a totalitarian regime at the frontlines, or sacrificing their time supporting and handling logistics for fighters in need. Some have to face prolonged judicial proceedings and even agonising imprisonment; others have become homeless due to being expelled from home. These cuts and scars have forced young lives to grow up under a hostile environment.
“Never surrender before being given a death sentence,” said Tsang Chi-ho, the programme host of Headliner.
“I chose to speak out for democracy and freedom. I chose to stand up to a mighty power,” said Simon Cheng, a whistleblower who was being accused of “soliciting prostitution”.
The names Tsang Chi-ho and Simon Cheng are not unfamiliar. Headliner’s cancellation was announced after 6,000 complaints, yet continued serving the people while on its last legs. Simon was exiled to the UK after an unconventional “cultural denunciation” and had to cut ties with his family for the sake of their safety. Under this environment where the totalitarian regime tries to induce white terror, public figures who dare to speak are being tied to the political red line, yet the willpower of the people’s defiance has never diminished.
“I will continue teaching my students to do the same, to recognise and push back against injustices, and bear witness as history unfolds,” said Sharon Yam, a Hong Kong academic in the US.
Many overseas Hongkongers may suffer from certain degrees of trauma, being tormented by survivors’ guilt, for example. However, despite living abroad, they are still stakeholders of Hong Kong, and the courage to rebel remains steadfast. It is only through seeking one’s own way within this movement that hard research and documentation can occur to record chapter after chapter of a history wrought with courage and sacrifice.
“We are HKers.”
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This article was featured on Apply Daily English Version. See the article @ https://hk.appledaily.com/feature/20210313/QU43QF52SRCZ7FFCPLGTKI6ANY/
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