Birthday Wish in 2021
About a week before my birthday, I got a call from my family doctor on the results of an annual body check that I did way back, several months ago, one that I had already forgotten completely. There isn’t really any big issue, except for my high cholesterol. High cholesterol is a term that has always been flowing around from other people, from articles, from my parents, from people who are “older” or less fit. Even though it is not serious, and I can argue that is the effects from the lockdowns but it is a caution from the doctor either way. I have to do a overhaul of my living habits, habits that I always knew was not “healthy,” but I never really imagine myself having to care about this issue because I always prided myself as being athletic in my younger days, being able to do long hikes and doing pilgrimages. I can also tell that my mind is not remembering things and speech may not be as fluent. This seems to be a wake up call for me, that I am aging and my body no longer works the way it used to. The worry free, do, eat and drink as I pleased lifestyle may no longer apply.
Two days ago, a beloved comedian that people in Hong Kong grew up with has passed away due to lung cancer. Memories of the laughters and tears from his character floats through my mind. How great were those days, a much simpler time. The worries we may have were only about school, relationships, dreaming about what the future maybe like. There are criticism of this comedian because of some posts he made to support the government. It seems these posts have overshadowed the work and efforts of his life. His films are also reminders of the Golden Days of Hong Kong, the time families spent together in laughter and joy, the heartfelt warmth that he brought to people. We know the suffering that HongKongers have been through these couple of years, families and relationships have been torn apart because of different political views, stores and restaurants are rated not by the quality of their product but by the colours they support. I do personally deliberate who I support and how I use my dollar as a “vote” to support the ideals of business. However, I would not go condemn others who do otherwise. We all have our own freedom of choice and free will, there are millions of reasons we may not know about, the upbringing and making of that person for them to make that decision, or political pressure that we don’t know about. We can disagree or have debates or be critical about people’s viewpoints, but it goes too far when it turns to character assassination based on some surface level speech or behaviour.
This makes me think of the Cancel Culture that is permeating in the Western world as well. People are called to resign and businesses to shutdown because of the ideology or political views that they support or speeches that are not politically correct. There are many incidents where public apologies and actions taken to rectify the situation but to no avail. It seems we no longer believe in giving people second chances or repentance. Grace, love and mercy seem to only apply to people within our tribe. This stereotyping and generalization and othering would eventually heighten the extreme polarization which may lead to oppression and more conflicts.
When I scroll my phone at 5am this morning, the news of 47 pro-democracy candidate have been detained and charged with the crime of conspiracy to commit subversion under the National Security Law. All they did were to speak out against the injustice and oppression of the government and taken part in an unofficial election primaries, which are all legal under the law. The defendants aged from 23 to 64, many of whom are grass-rooted activists, lawyers, scholars, and elected municipal government officials. There is a report of how some of these candidates spent their last day, knowing there is a high chance that they would be detained before reporting to the police station today. Some get a tattoo as a symbol of remembrance and strength, some go about their daily business like getting a haircut or playing volleyball. Some who are recently married, say their goodbyes with their children and loved ones. Their names will be in the history. Even though the authorities would do everything in their power to erase them from the books, their sacrifices would not be forgotten.
When I look at all that they have done, some in their early twenties, I would reflect and question what I have been doing with my life and how I am using my time and freedom. I can say that I am very busy with several jobs at once, but am I making any actual difference or impact to the world or people around us? This seems too big and overwhelming to think about, but I do know that I am not living to the fullest, there still room for growth and to use my time more wisely. Maybe this will be my birthday wish this year…
© JOSEPH WONG - THE WAY WE ART