"Summer of Jokes": The Courage to Face Dissent

As a loyal fan of Zhi Media, I have long bought "Summer of Jokes" published by them, but I have only watched it recently. The author of this book is an independent recorder born in the 2000s. He moved to Hong Kong from mainland China just two years ago when he encountered the anti-extradition movement. The movement affected his thoughts on China-Hong Kong relations, identity, democracy and freedom, etc. So he chose to interview a group of people with experience in China and Hong Kong, believing that as long as the two sides established understanding and mutual trust, the conflict between the two places could be eased.

It is mentioned in the text that the conflict between China and Hong Kong stems from mutual distrust, and distrust comes from historical prejudice and various myths. The so-called historical prejudice means the unreasonable judgment that the Communist Party will commit crimes such as the Cultural Revolution, the Great Leap Forward, and 18964 in the future. Because the two sides are full of misunderstandings, people who are willing to open their hearts and understand China are needed to build a bridge of communication.

Perhaps the author and some of the interviewees thought it was a prejudice and a myth, but seeing countless Hong Kongers going north for 30 to 40 years and suffering from a tragic failure, they feel that trust can solve the problem, which is a naive prejudice at first. History keeps repeating itself, and it is regrettable that there are always people who are unwilling to learn the lessons of life experience and firmly believe that they can seek skin from tigers. The situation is like being subjected to domestic violence and emotional blackmail for decades, but every time I believe that the perpetrator will change. So when I read this book, I was shocked. I would buy this book, but I was so sharp and controlled myself to read the book.

But there is something impressive about this book that inspires me. One of the stories is about a teacher who gradually became more infected than the students, so he took part in more anti-extradition activities. One of the words is worth thinking about:

"For many people, the street is the front line. But for educators, the school should be the front line. This is a front line that teaches students how to think independently, analyze rationally, and speak up for justice rather than silence."

After there is no street front, not many people will feel confused and feel that there is nothing they can do, but in fact, not everyone has a different front. All we have to do is to return to the front line that belongs to us, and to perform and work hard on the post. People who still care about Hong Kong must be mentally prepared, and this question will come back to themselves after a long time. But as long as you are willing to keep trying, you will always find the answer.

Another interview mentioned the importance of understanding China. The interviewee is a Chinese-born scholar who is currently living in Lantau Island, studying the issue of East Lantau artificial islands. Compared with the so-called Hong Kong people who are pseudo-neutral or blue corpse, he cares more about and understands the protests against extradition, and encourages us to know more about what is happening in China. In particular, those who play an important role in the protests need to understand their opponents carefully, not to ignore or misjudge the situation, and to learn to understand things from a perspective other than Hong Kong's standard.

In the past, it was because they didn't know China well that Hong Kong people felt that they could negotiate, and the CCP would be willing to listen to our opinions. But under the era of never forgetting the original intention and insisting on not letting an inch of land go, this kind of misunderstanding is obviously far from the big picture. There are also many Hong Kong people who only realize the absurdity of laughing at neighboring powerful countries and despise the strategies and deployments of those in power. I don't know the situation of the other party, how can we prepare for the future?

Although this book is about "big love", I really want to give up halfway. But if we always only look at things from the perspective of Hong Kong, there will be no way to connect with the rest of the world, and there is no way to find a feasible way out. I think "Summer of Jokes" is more rewarding than I am, and that is to bravely face unpleasant objections, and to absorb the nutrients that support me on my way.

If this article is fortunate enough to touch you, may you act to resist forgetting, defend truth and justice, and witness the future of our city together.

https://button.like.co/sarenechan14

If you are willing to support me in my continued efforts, you can buy me a cup of coffee☕

https://ko-fi.com/sarenechan

Welcome to the monthly quota to support my writing, let us watch each other in the dark night and send each other light:

https://liker.land/sarenechan14/civic