W - "Hong Kong is having an artistic revolution"

I went to school with the local kids and I always thought, you know, they keep their heads down and follow the rules. I never thought they’d be able to protest like this (with lots of art creations). It’s awesome.

Career, Identity, Politics, CultureWe Are HKers30 October 2019w, dj, ka yan, broken, brothers, productions, art, lkf, ethnic minority, pakistan, expatComment

Amy - 'People just look at the surface. They only see the chaos, but they don’t ask why there is chaos.'

I realised a lot of people around me are really angry. There’s a guy who sits next to me at work who gets really upset, but that’s all... There’s no point in being angry by yourself. You’re not helping anyone; you’re just making yourself unhappy. When I realised that, I started becoming more active.

Personal, PoliticsWe Are HKers28 October 2019ka yan, amy, tendarken, chaos, surface, protests, protester, time, act, lennon, wallComment

Anne - "In Hong Kong, I can say whatever I want out loud and not be afraid."

A lot of people in mainland China hold the opinion that Hongkongers are spoiled. But I would say that Hongkongers have tasted freedom, and to take that away from us is just ruthless.

Personal, Hobbies, Politics, ArtsWe Are HKers23 October 2019ka yan, nora the cat, art, therapy, say, afraid, free, negative, energy, session, artistComment

An observer, an advocate, and a supporter.

We take to the streets in solidarity not only for the extradition bill to be withdrawn but more importantly, also for a democratic, free, and fair society for our next generation. Some people may think it’s impossible, but how would they know if they won’t give it a try?

PoliticsWe Are HKers15 October 2019observer, advocate, supporter, artist, umbrella movement, PRN, frontliner, occupy central, mid-autumn festival, mooncake, nataComment

Napo Wong Wing Chi - "I hope the people of the Western district in this generation can take on the mission and carry the history of the district to future generations."

I am an introvert. I don’t like to stand out, never wanted to be the first to speak and was not very sociable. However, after staying behind the scenes for many years, I feel like I’m at a bottleneck and need to break my own limits. Having witnessed our representatives’ candidacies disqualified, I understand that no one can represent myself.

"This was precisely the moment where my 'Hongkonger' identity took shape - unyielding yet flexible, like water."

Growing up under the English-medium education in Hong Kong where freedom of speech and independent thinking are celebrated, I have come to realise my generation (post-90s) is very different from my parents’ (60s). We are literally 'two kinds' of people – to me, the sense of belonging becomes a burden.

Personal, Overseas, IdentityWe Are HKers12 October 2019orange peel, sl, 行山之友, identity, water, overseas, values, hongkonger, be waterComment

"Everyone has a role in this movement. I - a dancer, a party animal - have found mine."

It was scary being out on the street, but can you imagine being the protestors on the frontline? They were probably a thousand times more afraid than I was. Besides, many of my neighbours came down to the street to help too. I felt so connected - I felt a sense of community.

PoliticsWe Are HKers11 October 2019party, party girl, dancer, evacuator, Sheung wan, social butterflyComment

"Sometimes the best way to understand something is not through our eyes" - a day with Grandma at the airport

When we pay the price for something which has no value, it is effectively a forced or even wasteful act, and definitely does not constitute the kind of sacrifice mentioned by the women at the airport. Who hasn't heard the verdict that boycotting at school is just a waste of time and will simply let down your parents? But if they believe they are fighting for something valuable, then they are not sacrificing anything, but rather it is a means to strive for what they want.

Family, PoliticsWe Are HKers8 October 2019orange peel, sl, handsome fat jai, protests, protester, grandma, elders, airportComment

Lennon Wall Guardian - "Every initiative, every contribution, every idea can have a massive impact in this movement."

I used to think that Hong Kong people were so selfish. They would never budge and make space for you on the MTR, and couldn't care less about you. I think that’s why Hong Kong people have been so affected by this movement: it has united people from all walks of life.

Hobbies, PoliticsWe Are HKers6 October 2019memo, lennon, wall, guardian, protests, artComment

Ken Kong - Rally Cry Summer of 2019

In the end, the only “weapon” a protestor truly has is their voice. They have tried chanting slogans, using both gentle and aggressive languages to point out the faults of those standing in front of them, while simultaneously expressing their dissatisfaction. However, [the police force] is equipped with various weapons and protective equipment, while using all sorts of methods to oppress the protestors.

PoliticsWe Are HKers29 September 2019protester, protests, frontliner, government, police, orange peel, donComment

Forget About Formalities, Speak Your Mind, and Strive For Happiness

At that time, I constantly reminded myself that if I can choose my own personality, I wanted my personality to resemble theirs. If Hong Kong is a place that encourages this form of personalities and attitudes, one day I would want to stay and live in Hong Kong.

PersonalWe Are HKers29 September 2019orange peel, culture, personality, happinessComment

The Chinese taxi driver who dares to speak up

I’ve never thought a driver from mainland China, an ordinary citizen, would have such an in-depth view of what’s happening in society. He was very bold to talk about this, which surprised me. His thoughts and mentality are far more thorough than some Hong Kong people and high-ranking government officials. Or perhaps everyone knows, but they kneel before power and fortune, thus refuse to speak up.

PersonalWe Are HKers22 September 2019mainland, taxi, driver, chinese, orange peelComment

Not Born To Be Valiant

Actually, I really want to live in peace. I just want to go on regular dates on the weekends. I just want to enjoy movies, to go shopping, to go back to school as usual. There are lots of things I want to do, but I also understand that I might have to face at least ten years in jail if I’m arrested. However, I will keep standing up (for the movement), because, precisely if you don’t speak out and resist, the ‘bullies’ will only become more powerful and eventually ‘devour’ you.

PoliticsWe Are HKers22 September 2019protests, protester, vanessa.designComment

【SHARED】Chloe: “There’s so little time left.”

If we don't win... I don't think we can win. But I just feel like we should do something, even though there's a slim chance. At least we're trying. Maybe sometimes, trying isn't good enough.

Politics, Shared ArticleWe Are HKers1 September 2019Student, Protests, Vox, Articles, yellow shy guy Comment

A Protester - "Every time we dream our dream, we have strangers helping us in one way or another."

“You secondary school kids hurry up and choose what you want to eat. Save your money up to buy your gear (protesting gear), let us treat you to this meal.”

PoliticsWe Are HKers29 July 2019protests, love, protester, yellow shy guyComment

【SHARED】Yan: "Freedom and democracy has always been something that needs to be fought for."

It has never been people protesting that causes chaos within a country. Rather, it is the chaos of the country that causes people to protest.

Politics, Shared ArticleWe Are HKers15 June 2019student, protests, freedom, democracy, submission, yellow shy guyComment