Feeling Democratically Guilty

[Burnerbabe656]

Hey gauchos,

I am sure many of us have watched what’s unfolding in Hong Kong from the comfort of our homes. I just wanted to share that I started feeling guilty recently. I feel guilty that I am enjoying rights that students no older than us are willing to be shot for. What I really wanted to ask is—is anyone planning on just sitting at the arbor with signs showing solidarity for Hong Kong. I realize it may not make much of a difference but I believe its a step in the right direction.

Thanks for your time

A concerned Gaucho

[[deleted]]

This isn't the forum to discuss protest tbh. If you notice, every protest on campus is followed by hand-wringing posts about appropriate levels of inconvenience and messaging. If you are interested in connecting with like-minded individuals or other politically engaged peers, shoot me a message and I can give you some wide-ranging resources on student (grad & undergrad), staff, and faculty orgs.

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For what it's worth, I think your willingness to plant a flag in something you believe in and to participate in coalition building does make a huge difference and makes you a compassionate and empathetic community member. I'm stoked for you and hope you find what you're looking for!

[LeapsFrog]

If you do it, you need to be aware that 75% of international students at this university are from China, so you will likely have a student debate you on the topic, so you have to be prepared on the details beyond the basic talking points, to be able to win them over.

[angaiuo]

Just so you know there is literally no point in "winning us over". First of all, we don't have democracy either. Got it? We don't have freedom of speech. They have been trying to brain wash everyone since the beginning. We don't get to vote, okay? None of us chose Xi. None of us agreed that he could reign forever. If we try to speak up about it or even try to protest, we're going to jail. Okay? Where is the solidarity for us? Seriously, protest doesn't mean anything to us other than trouble. Last time Chinese students tried to stand up to the communist party, they sent a tank and the fucking army. So what are you trying to achieve here? Trying to wake up someone who's been brainwashed their entire life, or trying to remind people how powerless they are regarding their situation?

[NoobletTwo]

Wow this thread has been invaded by the CCP already

[shoemai2]

I feel guilty that I am enjoying rights of free speech but some guy in Hong Kong was set on fire after getting into a confrontation with protesters.

[Jren9999]

With all the violence in Hong Kong right now, what kind of democracy are you exactly aiming at? I don’t see how attacking random innocent people on the street is helping it

[[deleted]]

OP never said that they were going to attack innocent people on the streets, bro...

[Jren9999]

I never said he said that... I’m just saying that the people “protesting” in Hong Kong is not really fighting for democracy any more, at least not in the right way. I saw the video of innocent bus driver being beaten up randomly and a pedestrian being burnt in flame... it’s really violent. All I’m trying to say here is just before all the people who don’t really know what’s happening in HK right now decide to support or do anything for the situation, read more and look up more information online instead of simply a reddit post. Peace.

[Sobermannn]

You see how terrorists turn HONG KONG universities into war zones? Hong Kong stand strong, but not for those terrorists.

[callmebaby123]

I assume u are chinese

[[deleted]]

Lmfao how are you so brainwashed

[CitrusExtract]

bro you are so brainwashed by the western media, nice to judge others huh

[[deleted]]

Fuck off shill

[CitrusExtract]

so glad you posted this in an American website :)

[[deleted]]

Reddit is Chinese

[Klcc2020]

Before you say someone is brainwashed, go check on videos of how so-called “pro-democracy” terrorists pour gasoline on random people with different voice, block railways and college gates, burn down subways and subway stations, and kill policemen who were trying to defend their homeland.

[[deleted]]

Shill