The most important lesson in Civic Education

 

Bob Choi

31 July 2012

 

As a friend of mine correctly pointed out, the government is willing to make concessions. They simply have to. This is called people power. Experience shows us that if enough of us are willing to take to time to voice out our opinion and to take to the streets if necessary, the government will respond in a positive manner. At least in Hong Kong that is the case.

 

There lies the most important lesson in Civic Education: the government will have to listen if we speak up, show up and stand firm on what we believe is right. This applies to Hong Kong, the US and in fact anywhere in the world, including China.

 

Now, let me pose this question to the Central Government which is after all the real force behind the push for "civic education" in Hong Kong: Will the proposed "civic education" include this most important lesson, i.e. protest and demonstration against the government are not only the rights but the duty of all good, responsible, conscientious citizens? By the way, will it also explain the importance of universal suffrage, and...

 

There is only one good way to teach civic education in Hong Kong, and that is to let me teach it! (Sorry, bad joke! Mr. "Central Government" please ignore what I've just said. I am just trying to be funny, OK?!)