//Tender in the darkness｜Pat To Yan
Published (HKT): 2020.11.22
In the last show of Tat Ming Pair’s concert, Anthony Wong shared a letter from a fan in mainland China. The fan was born in the 2000s. The fan was once misled by the Chinese Government’s propaganda and was puzzled by the images of their beloved Hong Kong in a riot (Anthony has omitted the gender of the fan). Then s/he found that all their favorite bands suddenly disappeared from all music platforms, including Tat Ming, My Little Airport, and C All Stars. Why is it that all of their favorite bands are supporting ‘Hong Kong’s Independence’! Hahaha! (The fan said). Then they searched for more information and found the MV of Tat Ming’s Remembering is guilty. The fan was stunned by the MV and was confronted with the truth finally.
There’s actually a dark side to the Hong Kong resistance movement. On the internet, hate speech toward mainland Chinese was easily found. Some Hong Kongers think they are superior since Hong Kong dares to resist and revolt. I am sure most of them are not frontline fighters. If you have experienced the battles on the streets, you know the protesters are a mix of different kinds of people including new immigrants and mainland Chinese. In the election of the District Council last year, the districts having a high population of new immigrants voted for the candidates of the democratic camp, like Shui Chuen O Estate. Mainland Chinese being cowardly in fighting against the government is just a stereotype. People holding this view fall into the trap of extreme nationalism which I have hated my whole life. On the other hand, they fall into the trap of the Chinese Government. In these ten years, the Government has been hard at work to tear apart mainland Chinese and Hong Kongers. They are afraid of us spreading the seeds of resistance in the mainland. In fact, strategically, we should work closely with Chinese who are willing to resist.
It’s a topic that can’t be discussed thoroughly. Some Hong Kongers would turn a deaf ear when you want to discuss with them. I know Tat Ming shared letters by mainland Chinese fans every night of his show. Anthony just read the letters and did not make any statement. Nevertheless, his sharing was already a combat against the stereotype.
In the show, Tat Ming makes good use of the power of tenderness. Hong Kong is deeply depressed and the show can easily go in the direction of self-indulgence. The mood of suppression was demonstrated in the pauses of the show. People chanted the slogans that were said to be forbidden for five whole minutes. We’re happy to grasp the chance to release and relieve. Tat Ming keeps reminding us to carry on what we’re doing. And most importantly, we should keep our sense of humor. Yes, it’s true. The Totalitarian Government doesn’t like it when people laugh. Taking everything easy and making fun of everything are the strengths of Hong Kong culture. Our right of humor should not be deprived.
I always believe in the power of Art. Not many people can remember the name of the King of the Shakespearean age, but we are still enjoying Shakespearean works. The fan I have mentioned said Tat Ming’s works gave them energy and support, and they said they are ‘the frustrating kid galloping in the light’ (a line of lyric directly translated from a song of Tat Ming). We’re lucky enough to have Tat Ming in the age of darkness.//
(Pat To Yan, Active in Hong Kong and German Theatre. Playwright, Director, Lecturer. Elected Council Member and the Chairman of the committee of Literary Art of Hong Kong Arts Development Council.)
