Triolog of Hong Kong
The Trilogy of Hong Kong
June 18, 15
I was raised in the inner city of South L.A. (formally South Central Los Angeles) and at a high school that did not really get into world events. I graduated in 1981 and I can’t believe that Hong Kong was under British sovereignty until 1997. It is so sad to know that because you grow up in a certain place that you may not even be privy to world events or how countries and cities exist. Not to go into that but it was really an eye opener to understand the real dilemma that Hong Kong was in after 1997. It reminded me of our trip to South Africa. They were liberated from Apartied but they had to define their identity by themselves and with no money to do it. I am not saying that the people in Hong Kong did not have any money but they did have an infrastructure and the displaced people in South Africa don’t. And it seems to me that they loved the British rule over them because they at least let them have freedom. They were able to express themselves in art and music. That’s why I named this blog the Trilogy of Hong Kong. It seems to me that their culture and their identity is not really clear. They seem to not really relate to China and their way of thinking and they have been liberated from British rule but what is their identity? It seems that their identity lies within China, the Brits and the new Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s new freedom was really their entrance to prison. They had restrictions on expression and ideas that did not match the ideology of China and what China defined as their true roots. It baffled me that this was possible. I never looked at China or Hong Kong in that vein. The year 2003 witnessed widespread concern over a proposed anit-subversion law associated with Article 23 of the basic law that would erode freedom of speech and in creased government.[1] They were facing a measure that could have wiped them out in the early ages of their newfound freedom. But what intrigues me the most is that rule and opposition they stood up against actually was a defining moment in their newfound freedom. Coming from South Central L. A. and learning about Hong Kong is really a great thing for me. I have not even thought about it. I loved learning about a culture and a people I only saw and never really known about. Going there is going to be great because I get an opportunity to meet people and mingle with a culture that I really don’t even know about! But their struggles and protests resonate with me from being in Los Angeles. The Rodney King beating was something that let the world know what L.A. PD was doing. I can relate to their protest of coming out of British rule into Chinas way of rule. The reading was so profound. I never would have thought the people in Hong Kong was that diverse and so different than China. Can’t wait to go there and see it and to eat their food! Lol.
[1] Kam Louie, Hong Kong Culture Word and Image (Hong Kong: University press 2010) 31.
About the Author
Travis Biglow
Pastor of Victory Empowerment Center. Regional Chaplain High Desert Regional Center Graduates Azusa Pacific University. Licensed General Contractor B. I am the married with one daughter, two grandsons and one step son.6 responses to “Triolog of Hong Kong”
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Travis, I’m with you. I didn’t know much at all about the British rule up to 1997. It’s funny that we can be in a program like this and yet not know a significant piece of history regarding a major city such as HK. Thanks for your honesty.
I’m really interested to be in HK. I remember while we were in Cape Town together to protests in HK were taking place. It would be very interesting in that happened again while we are there.
Nick, I also wonder about like pre-1997 in Hong Kong. Could it be that, kind of like Puerto Rico or American Samoa with us, it was just a kind of unspectacular extension of a very old culture? Maybe it just wasn’t that interesting before there was conflict introduced into the equation.
“they had to define their identity”
Great insight, Travis. It is interesting that this basic human question of “who am I” translates to societies. Whether it is an individual person, a city, or a country, this question persists. It will be interesting to look back after 20 or 30 more years to see who Hong Kong becomes.
“Hong Kong’s new freedom was their entrance into prison.” Powerful statement. Isn’t that true on so many levels for all of us? That what we seek – thinking it’s going to be the next best thing – ends up being the thing that puts us into bondage? Hong Kong didn’t necessarily have a choice because of the agreement between Britain and China. But I’m sure there was hope that something new would flourish. I hope we get to hear some testimonies of folks who lived in Hong Kong before the transition. Should be fascinating.
Mary,
I’m also interested in hearing stories about HK then vs. now. I’ve been pondering, since reading Dave’s post, about how the change may have contributed to an openness to Christianity. I’m interested to understand whether the change is creating an environment that is driving people to seek Christ.
Travis, “Hong Kong’s new freedom was really their entrance to prison.” I love that statement. I think the choice to change often creates this kind of affect. I also think this is why most people and cultures do not choose to change. There is a real season of deep unrest, “imprisonment,” when change actually happens and a people or culture chooses to enter the upheaval. I do not believe we are aware of that being the reason we do not choose to change, but I think it is probably the greatest underlining reason to let things stay the same. Sad but true, good post.