Glutter: A blog by Yan Sham-Shackleton

It’s #MeToo and all of us: Hongkongers will not accept oppression, subjugation or sexual violence

This op-ed contains descriptions of sexual violence.

Sexual violence in prisons around the world is commonplace and often not reported. Under these extreme conditions, women are particularly vulnerable. Cases of gang rape, sexual torture and humiliation in mainland Chinese jails have been well recorded by human rights groups. Amnesty has reported that sexual abuse has been practised against Uighur women in Xinjiang, nuns in Tibet, and Falun Gong practitioners, male and female, across the country. According to the NGO International Society for Human Rights, female detainees have been sexually abused either by police or prison guards, such as being stripped naked and thrown into cells with male inmates. Yin Liping testified before a US congressional committee in 2016, saying that after she was jailed for her religious beliefs, she and another woman were thrown in a cell with four to five male inmates who were told they could do whatever they wanted to them without consequences. Yin said she was beaten unconscious and gang-raped by the men.

It’s #MeToo and all of us: Hongkongers will not accept oppression, subjugation or sexual violence

What My Words Look Like In Dutch.

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT ... Hong Kong and possible China invasion

I came across this while looking for a link of something else. I wasn't interviewed for this. They took a quote out of my article. Anyway, I thought it was interesting what my words looked like in Dutch. Kinda cool. 

De protesten in Hongkong tegen de Chinese inmenging houden al drie maanden aan. Wat vinden internationale opinieleiders van de situatie en wat denken zij over een mogelijke invasie van China?

Yan Sham-Shackleton, journalist

‘Op een dag zullen we volledig worden opgeslokt door het autoritarisme van de Chinese Communistische Partij. De Great Firewall zal het internet afsluiten, waardoor mensen geen toegang meer tot de wereld hebben, of de wereld tot ons. Dit verzet geldt daarom niet langer het bestrijden van de uitleveringswet, of de Vijf Eisen. Inmiddels is het een allesomvattende protestbeweging, niet alleen gericht tegen indringing maar tegen het volledig deel moeten uitmaken van China. Het maakt mensen wanhopig, het drijft mensen tot geweld.’

Article: WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT ... Hong Kong and possible China invasion

 

WAT ZIJ ZEGGEN OVER... Hongkong en mogelijke invasie China

 

Acceptance or the Last Stand.

I found this in my 2015 notes. Whatever is going is a long time coming, and anyone who didn't know it was, wasn't paying enough attention.

"I am trying to figure out whether I prefer young people in HK to accept losing their freedoms quietly for the sake of stability, or just rip the streets apart because they deserve to vent their anger, frustrations, and distress and make a last stand against an overpowering totalitarian regime that cannot be defeated."

Four years later, I know what I think. I probably thought the same five years ago, but it seemed wrong to wish chaos on my own city. I think history will remember those who fought for their rights more positively than those who sat and watched it go away. 

Hong Kong’s last stand? A gallant battle in the face of unspeakable sacrifice and overwhelming odds

Watching another press-conference with Chief Exec Carrie Lam, made me really frustrated and sad. It made me think we would not succeed, but I believed in our dignity. 

It seems more and more likely and Hong Kong people are increasingly aware of it. This Resistance is no longer about fighting the extradition bill, or for the Five Demands. What it is now, is an all-encompassing protest movement against simply not just encroachment but becoming fully a part of China. It is making people desperate, it’s pushing people to violence, as in many other moments in history.

There have always been groups of people who eventually lost but stood their ground in the meantime. The Lake of Blood in Ecuador against the Spanish, the Warsaw Uprising against the Nazis, the Battle of Shanghai against the Japanese, the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia against the Soviets, and recently the Ukrainians against the Russians in Crimea.

Those people despite knowing that they were facing a superior military power, remained steadfast in their beliefs, in their identity and their dignity.

Hong Kong's Last Stand? 

Britain wasn't wrong, China just happens to be a dictatorship #omhk #umbrellamovement

Mum: the problem with the British, is they don't know how to talk to China. Why did they say, they want to "investigate" whether China broke the basic law or what? That's not really their business anymore after they left HK. It's China's borders now, so of course they won't let them in.

Me: no mum, the problem is China is a totalitarian regime that don't honour international treatises

Post Colonial, Post Colonial, Hong Kong. #umbrellamovement #umhk #occupyhk

THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2004

Post Colonial, Post Colonial, Post Colonial Hong Kong

(This is something I wrote ten years ago.. it feels like we really have gotten there now.) 

Awaiting a democratic Hong Kong.

The other day I was in a book shop, I picked up a book called post colonial theories. I looked at it. I read through some of the ideas and put it back.

This is one thing I know, which I never really mention and I guess it's such a academic concept that people often do not think of my city as such. Everything that is happenning right now in Hong Kong is a movement of post-colonialism. Recreating an identity, seeking to gain political power for oneself, to establish a new govermental structure along with fighting the left over structural inequalities. And in this city we are far more poised to achieve it than nearly if not all the other countries that went through this stage. The reason being we are a first world country with all the infrastructure in place, we have a highly educated population and an economy that works well along with a legal system. We are what most other post-colonial countries are still trying to achieve in order to come out from under the shadow of their masters rule. At this time, Hong Kong is redefining what post colonial means, and the process in which a people and a country sheds the rule of others with the added twist that we are at the same time trying to establish a separate identity of who we used to be owned by. It's about creating a brand new governmental structure outside of what was and what is.

I know this, it's always in the back of my mind. That Glutter is a piece of post colonial work. It's breathing piece, it is the process of me and my city moving into a post colonial era and trying to work out what it all means. That's from the context that I write, exist and be. It makes what is happenning here, tied to many other countries, in fact a huge part of the world outside of Europe and Japan. What is happenning here happenned and is happenning in Africa, South East Asia, India, Sri Lanka, and also even Iraq as we speak.

I wonder why we don't talk about that more, how it's not acknowledged more. Like we don't want to talk about Britain and how it ruled us for 99 years, and what it did or didn't do. We want to concentrate on China because they are our immediate reality. But the truth is, without the British, Hong Kong would not exist, we would not be a separate culture and identity, a different people. We can't talk about now, without refering to that. I guess it's also part of the post colonial experience, denying and wiping away the past as if it did not happen because it's a shameful past in all aspects politically, historically, culturally and subverting the sexual dynamics of a people. But as unpleasent it is for everyone to admit, look at, think about the whole historical aspects of it. We need to acknowledge it's existence otherwise we will always be missing part of the picture and cannot see the whole. We do not sit in the framework of the world history, the reasons the globe is structured the way it is, how the world economy works, etc. etc.

 

My Son the Mandarin Speaker, but I am a #HK person with HK Dreams . #occupyhk #umbrellamovement #occupycentral #689 #926

My son doesn't like his new school. It's a Chinese Immersion Program. 50% of school is taught in English, the other in Mandarin.

All the reasons he doesn't like the school are more than reasonable. There is no grass, the playground is small, he misses his friends from our Neighbourhood school, kids he grew up with. A number of kids in his class now, are very disruptive. Things six years old care about.

The only reason he is there is because it teaches him Chinese. He will learn to read and write Mandarin. There are studies after studies that say that bi-lingual education far improves self-confidence, the ability to think, problem solve, socially more empathetic and be better communicators.

But as the Umbrella Movement continues, and I read more and more about the conflicts between Mandarin and Cantonese languages and culture that spurs the protests which truly resonates with me.

I wonder, Why is my son missing out on a school he can scoot his Razor to every day? Why do I drive him somewhere else. Which means he spends less time on the tree lined streets. With kids whose family has the same expectations as I do?

For what? For a language of Hong Kong's rulers. For a language that I know is not mine. When he speaks to me in Mandarin, there is a pang that he does not reply in the boisterous, loud, bold, laughing, sarcastic tones of Cantonese, or as I lately have called "Hong Kongnese."

It's odd that a month ago, I was so utterly enthused by him learning "Chinese." A month later, I am not so sure if I am even Chinese. I am a Hong Kong Person with Hong Kong dreams.

And my former wish that he has an opportunity to return to "My Motherland" fills me more with fear and sadness than pride.

I have been showing him pictures of the protests, I am considering taking him home for us both to be amidst the yellow umbrellas.

So does it matter that he speaks Mandarin? Do I care anymore?

I don't know.

But I do know, I care a lot about my home. I doubt my son would feel the same, he is American after all. But he will know there is no doubt his mother is a Hong Kong person. I tell him stories of Hong Kong when he goes to sleep, in the mornings, I tell him my dreams.

First Blue Ribbon Attack. Live blog. Oct 03, 2014

Unprovoked police attack on students

9:18 am. Lion Rock Live Webcam (Apple TV)

[rumour] the police will cut down the banner at 9 am.

It is 9:18 am HKT (updated time)

Those who share and those who will be beaten #occupycentral #umbrellarevolution

I am learning there are two kinds of people who care about democracy in China, those who are very esoteric, they like the "idea," of a democratic China. It is reached by discussion, sharing, believing, and coming up with what is the best way. Then there are people standing in Mongkok willing to be beaten, and people in Central sleeping on concrete. So different.

Help us Translate what the protesters are saying into English! #umbrellamovment #occupycentral #689

Hi guys. We DESPERATELY need people willing to translate from Chinese to English (or any language) for a project I am starting for a pro-democracy organization of LA.

There is practically ZERO personal stories, memes, funny signs or commentary written by students or protesters in English.

Nearly all the traditional news and analysis are written by foreigners.

This protest is about having a voice for democracy and a voice for the people of HK, if they can't talk to the world what is the point?

The protester are not accepting foreign donations. China do not care for foreign political pressure. This is a social media age.

You can pick something that has touched you. A news article, a thoughtful blog post, one of those photo thingies, cartoon, op-ed, a Scholarism statement, Cheung Moa Quote, song lyric. Everything is important to someone.

Together will send it off in the big wide world of social media.

Let's help our people speak louder.

Yan.

Leave a message on the tweet or email or comment or find a way to post and tag me. We will collate later. Thank you .

 

PLEASE SHARE THIS REQUEST ON YOUR TIME LINE, FEED, WHATS APP, AND YOU KNOW THROUGH YOUR VOICE.

There are so many amazing things that has appeared in the last three weeks. We can never translate all of them. But some, we can.

They want the negotiators to be too busy Di lomo to focus on politics. #umbrellamovement occupycentral

The pan-democrats already agreed to talks. This is the third night of increasingly violent riot police attacks. Does the government want to kill someone first? They want the negotiators to be too busy Di lomo to focus on politics.

HK Ren Pitted Against HK Ren While CY falls asleep in front of his TV #reminduswhy #occupycentral #umbrellamovement

Awaiting a Demoratic Hong Kong.

Instead of stories on every police or triad movement reported and large arrows pointing to pictures of police dogs.

I wish Apple Daily would print pictures of an arrow pointing at CY Leung sleeping in front of the TV or Carrie Lam chilling in her pajamas while her maid does the dishes.
Maybe with a time stamp, showing that at exactly the same time, a photo of an altercation between the students and police.

Because really, the only reason both sides are out there is because all those unbending hk government officials don't want more work. They don't want to prepare another report and have to send it to China.

If they say "yes," to it, it would mean, working out details, on who the group of people will be involved and not even just the content. Imagine having to find a consensus of what to send. Then checking, rechecking, everyone rechecking, making changes, then after that dealing with China.

Why bother to risk displeasing China? Who wants to lose power and be humiliated? Part of the high level government jobs is to keep China happy, a kind of personal assistant to the PRC I suppose.

It's so much easier to "know" it will not be accepted, do nothing and send the police to deal with it.

It's not their family and kids worried about if their dad would be hurt during their beat or the parents and friends worried if a protester will be beaten.

The people who tell the police chief to clear the streets don't even actually give orders. They have zero stake in these protests and beatings. The police fails, blame them. The students finally retreats. The HK government has gained control. Their glory.

I wondered why CY and whoever else is in charge wouldn't do as nearly all independent news organization and academic says, "Act sensibly, negotiate with the students, stop aggravating the situation by agreeing to talks, quitting talks, just about to have talks, send in more police."

Bit then I realized, it might have been embarrassing at first, that they didn't have the city under control, but as time has gone on, they realize it doesn't change their lives one bit.

These people do not answer to the public, the answer to the Central government. Keep them happy and their big apartments, maids and Mercedes are safe. In order to do that, all They have to do is start to attain the glazed blank faces of communist officials.

Carrie Lam during the recent press conference seemed to have mastered the eyes focused-on-exactly-the-space-between-them-and-journalists move. Coward.

It's so hard for everyone whose life is completely involved in daily protests to be not angry at immediate happenings.

The triads destruction, anti-occupy protesters that doesn't speak any dialect people in HK speak. The police brutality.

But for me, also in my cushy sunny safe home in California, over four devices, and too many feeds and pings to be healthy, I remember whose fault this is. Who can make this all stop.

The people who if they would just spend their time in their office writing a proposal (that in the end might be rejected) can restore peace in Hong Kong instead of pitting Hong Kong people against Hong Kong people. Yes, the police are hk people too. They go home to normal hk people families.

So really, instead of Giant red arrows pointing at the police dogs, we need photos of Carrie Lam with her tea seeping. a metal lid on it, as it keeps warm by her side, while she plays with her phone and CY having a silent dinner with his dreadful daughter playing happy family, when the pictures outside looks really different.

I feel so angry that these people's lives are exactly the same as three weeks ago and the students and police are all hurt and suffering. Hong Kong Ren against Hong Kong Ren and Chinese Spawns At home drinking tea.

I barely live in LA..

It's 2pm. I fell asleep. I woke up half awake and thought, "I will just catch the MTR to Central."

Then I thought, "Oh I can't but why?"

Oh. Just a little problem I live in a different country. I simply forgot.

3/4 of my time this week has been devoted to HK. To pay attention to each event. To make sure that I am up to date.

The feed is on, the news pings me, Cantonese radio in my car. I do my tasks, but I barely live in LA.

4:55am. Arrival of safety time? (Apple feed up!) #occupyhk #umbrellamovement

4:55am.

Nothing. Central still have quite a number of people. Am I optimistic that It's already too early in the morning for anything to kick off? I would assume that it will happen before work time, with plenty of time to spare for clean up. 5am probably would not be able to fit all that in, ready for the civil servants coming to work.

Will the students stay for another day? Is the government waiting for the outcome of the negotiation? Is there even room for any compromise. What will China give?

All us watchers wait. The students wait.

But sometimes the government will strike once everyone is relaxed. Maybe in a day or two.

But it will be at least nightfall tomorrow. The government said they want school to start. I doubt the will cause chaos in the day.

Do these links work for you? #umbrellamovement #occupyhk

I can get on them and have done for for the last week. Can you?

http://m.ustream.tv/channel/nolan-fans?fb_action_ids=10152484490873802&fb_action_types=og.comments&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B1409443902633880%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.comments%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4vhERwnzk88

Live feeds blocked. Just me or everyone #occupycentral #umbrellamovement

4:16am HK Time.

All the live feeds I usually watch are blocked from my devices.

I simply can't play them. Is it just me because I am blogging and they still monitor this blog?

Or has it been shut down for everyone so we can't see what's going on in real time?

But the news organization are there. Social media is there. It's coming out real time in plenty of avenues anyway.

Don't Let The Govt Triumph. Go home. #occupyhk #umbrellamovement

It's really time to negotiate before everyone is forced home. At least offer the government a choice that if they give way a little, people will go home peacefully and spare them the difficulties and awful PR of deploying riot police. If that happens, the students and public will be defeated and the government triumphant, they would have no reason to even have talks.

Don't let them win. Go home on your own terms with a chance to get concessions.

The young will not forgive themselves #occupyhk #umbrellamovement

Finally put into words. It's time for the adults to go home. The young will stay, they will never forgive themselves if they leave and don't last until the end, but my friends will. It's not our domain to make those sacrifices anymore.