Justice
It's hypocritical for Boston to fly the Chinese flag
On February 15, the colors of the former Soviet Bloc nation now known as Lithuania waved in the chilled winter wind.
On July 9, Argentina’s ‘Sun of May’ flew high, the summer sun shining through its lightly shaded bars
On September 29, above our own city hall, flew the colors of a nation that not hours before fired a volley of rubber bullets into protesters crying to maintain what little sovereignty they had left.
Starting in February, Boston’s City Hall has been raising the flags of the different ethnic groups that make up Boston. This initiative by the city’s diversity office aims to “raise awareness in Greater Boston and beyond about the many countries and cultures around the world” and “foster diversity,” according to the city’s website.
On paper, it’s a great idea to recognize the city’s ever-growing diversity while also celebrating our unifying factor — the wicked accent and rouge socks that bring us together as Bostonians.
With Boston’s Chinese population numbering over 25,000 according to UMass Boston’s Institute of Asian American Studies, it would almost be weird if to exclude the Chinese flag. That being said, however, it does seem in bad taste considering the current political situation China finds itself in
Following the murder of Hong Kong national Poon Hiu-wing in Taiwan, an extradition agreement was proposed between Hong Kong and Taiwan. The would also allow China to extradite from Hong Kong. This sparked a lot of controversies as it would violate the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ agreement that ceded Hong Kong from England to China in 1997.
The 50-year agreement sought to gradually return Hong Kong to mainland China while also enabling Hongkongers to continue enjoying various democratic freedoms such as voting and the right to public assembly, that Chinese citizens are not afforded. The issue here is that if Chinese officials were able to extradite people from Hong Kong, they may violate and even completely do away with many of the rights protected under the deal, effectively annexing Hong Kong four decades early.
While you won’t find a nation with a completely clean record, it is hypocritical for Boston of all cities, where we pride ourselves on rebelling against English tyranny, to be flying the colors of a nation that is using force to subdue protesters. Protestors have been actively resisting the Chinese government since March 31st, with no sign of stopping. With an ever-escalating situation that as of October 2nd, has been violently suppressed, it is important that we stand in solidarity for the free people of Hong Kong.
A siheyuan divided against itself cannot stand and as Bostonians, neither should we in support of a regime that is currently and quite overtly, oppressing its own people.
A siheyuan divided against itself cannot stand and as Bostonians, neither should we in support of a regime that is currently and quite overtly, oppressing its own people.