What the Umbrella Movement has taught me

Spotted at Admiralty yesterday afternoon

Also seen at Admiralty yesterday and today

Even beyond the designated study corners, 

people are studying!

Yesterday afternoon at Causeway Bay, I saw a sign created by an anti Occupy person -- erected in the protest area, using writing materials provided by Umbrella Movement participants (talk about being shameless!) -- urging the protesters to go back to studying.  But if that person had spent any significant time in the protest areas with his or her eyes open, (s)he would have seen that: for one thing, not every Umbrella Movement supporter is a full-time student (or even of student age!); and actually,  many of the students involved in the protests have indeed been spending time studying as well as protesting out on the streets!

In addition, I believe that Umbrella Movement participants have been teaching people many important lessons.  Among them are the following (in no particular order):-

1) Hong Kongers are far tougher than people have realized.  These are people who are willing to brave pepper spray and tear gas, go sit and stand in the blazing sun and pouring rain, and sleep on the streets (sometimes in a tent but also with nothing between them and the tarmac on the road) -- if there's a cause that they consider worth doing this for, and to also support their fellow denizens should the need arise.

2) Hong Kong people don't only care about making money, not least because they realize that so much in our world and life are inter-connected.  Politics affects the economy, and vice versa.  Human actions have an impact on the environment, just as the environment has an effect on humans.  Humans have an impact on one another since no human is an island, etc., etc!

3) Hong Kongers are not sheep, content to follow orders just because someone in authority said that's how something or other should be.  These people know how to think independently, to question and also know when a "leader" is not to be trusted.  And yes, even those who haven't reached full adulthood may be far more intellectually and pyschologically mature than was previously realized!

4) Hong Kongers are well capable of positively and artistically expressing themselves.  Walking around the protest areas, one sees so much that's beautiful -- with many of the artistic creations freely on display containing so much more humanity, humor and/or general aesthetic qualities than so much that has been commissioned to adorn various parts of the city by the government and the corporations!

5) There is strength in numbers.  Knowing that you're not alone can give you more confidence and resolve.  And knowing that there are (many) others supporting you can inspire one to do more and aim higher than you may otherwise have dared to do.

6) It doesn't hurt to be civil to others, and it's really a nice feeling for people to be civil to you.  Also, being civil and polite can be catching!  Maybe it's just my imagination but...not only have people been extraordinarily courteous and pleasant for the most part in the protest areas I've been in but I've also felt the kindness of strangers in Hong Kong quite a bit (more) in the past two weeks!

One last thing: it's incredible to see the large amount of messages, art, etc. that have been created and exist for people to read and digest in the protest areas but just as amazing to behold is how eagerly and voraciously the messages, art, etc. are being perused.  Alternatively put: a civic education is currently taking place in a civil atmosphere and egalitarian space -- one that I wish more people would avail themselves of by visiting the protest areas and seeing things for themselves.