I couldn’t agree more with BWG, who beat me to posting about the government’s proposed ‘adustments’ to broadcasting the national anthem, March of the Volunteers.
This is yet another misguided move by the Hong Kong government, who believe that subjecting its citizens to such force-fed media would actually increase patriotism in the city. As Dr. Ma Ngok was quoted in the SCMP as saying : “Civic education is not as simple as just broadcasting a few national anthems” – and he’s right, it isn’t. Subjecting people to propaganda such as daily airings of the national anthem achieves nothing short of further enraging an already sensitive public.
Sure, Hong Kong is now part of China and i’m all for civic education: locals should learn Chinese history, learn more about China, know how to speak Putonghua (普通è¯) – but two systems must surely ensure that we in Hong Kong still have a mind of our own. To be proud of being Chinese does not mean subjecting ourselves to central government control and being brainwashed by their propaganda. I’m fed up of the authorities constantly tying the two together. In fact, we love the country and want to make it better – that’s why people speak up and protest. To just do as your told and sit in the corner with the dunce hat on is not patriotic – it’s stupid.
I am reminded of the quote by Samuel Johnson: “patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel”. Indeed. Respect is earned; not demanded. If a country is worth respecting, you can be sure its citizens will be patriotic. Shoving it down our throats will not achieve this.
I’m looking forward to the day when we start seeing North Korean or Saddam Hussein style music videos appearing on TVB & ATV.
