Why the Extinction Rebellion is a more successful social movement than the Hong Kong protests
- The movements in Britain and Hong Kong involve young people and have met with tough police action. But while the Extinction Rebellion has inspired similar protests around the world, the Hong Kong protesters’ cause is harder to relate to
Where would the world be were it not for rebellions? Where would France and America be? For that matter, what would art, philosophy, politics and society be without revolt? At a more personal level, what would teenage years be like without rebellion? I am sure parents would have an answer to that: “Peaceful.”
Rebellion is an expression of disaffection. It is action for release from the clutches of an oppressive system. Rebellion need not be physical or violent: think of the suffragettes, the civil rights movement and rock ’n’ roll. These were considered untoward and therefore rebellious in their time because they questioned the status quo and challenged accepted norms.
There is inherent violence in oppression, even if not overt, because of the skewed dynamics of power and the resulting impact on the oppressed.
China would rather see Hong Kong lose its economic role than cede control
Whereas the Extinction Rebellion has inspired similar protests in other countries, the Hong Kong protests remain contained in the city. Support protests or vigils in other nations have largely been held by Hongkongers living there.
To stop the unrest, should Hong Kong protect Cantonese first?
Whether it is a rebellion to prevent climate change or to preserve identities, governments have responded similarly – by imposing harsher measures. This is not surprising because, at the heart of the matter, both movements are asking for the same thing: that the government change its ways, and listen to and respect the people, instead of selling them down the river for the sake of profit or national identity.
The Extinction Rebellion has had success in drawing masses because people have progressed from sympathy to empathy and have finally arrived at personalisation of the impact of climate change. Unfortunately, Hong Kong’s identity issue is so particular that it prevents others from relating. Thus, there is hardly any sympathy for this issue, let alone empathy or personalisation.
Hong Kong’s identity crisis is one of its own making
Governments do not wish to be seen acquiescing to protests, no matter how right the demands. Nor are governments inclined to allow secondary identities to subvert existing national identities. So the projections don’t look good for either the Extinction Rebellion or the Hong Kong protests.
Perhaps governments might eventually cave in and prevent climate change, although it might be too late by then. However, government acquiescence in the case of Hong Kong would be a bridge too far.
Samir Nazareth has worked in the development sector and writes on sociopolitical and environmental issues. He is the author of the travelogue, 1400 Bananas, 76 Towns & 1 Million People