Fall Falling Leaves Moon
Here is my new hero. He’s 17 and got his political activist credentials at 15 when he opposed the adoption in Hong Kong of a “patriotic” curriculum. His name is Joshua Wong and his efforts, which have led to the huge protests reported in the media recently, are a larger scale example of the same kind of energy seen in Jefferson County, Colorado that I reported on this week.
Joshua quotes the movie “V for Vendetta” saying: “The people should not be afraid of the government, the government should be afraid of the people.” He’s 17 and looks younger. But this kid has courage. It was his call to occupy the Civic Square, just as a democracy movement action had begun to weaken, that resulted in his arrest, then the flooding into the streets of many other Hong Kong citizens.
Saul Alinsky said, “The action is in the reaction.” How right he is. This is a perfect example.
There is some deep part of me that is moved by the bravery and leadership of individuals against overwhelming odds, and moved profoundly. A swell begins in the chest and moves up through the heart and into the eyes, bringing tears. It is a mixture of pride, anger, fear and wonder. And underneath it all beats solid resolve. If I were in Hong Kong, I would stand with Joshua. If I were in Jefferson County, I would stand with the students there.
Make no mistake. Joshua Wong is Chinese, facing down the Chinese government. He does not want to be an American, to have our history or even our institutions. He wants the chance to participate in his, to be a Chinese citizen actively supporting his country. If we can’t support that, then our experiment here counts for nothing.
