Use influence not violence

Writer: Guan Tai Fa

Nanyang, Feb 20, 2016

From the “occupy the legislature” to “occupy the education ministry” campaigns staged by Taiwanese youths and the clashes with the police in Mong Kok in Hong Kong, a series of incidents that broke traditional values have occurred. They are thought-provoking and yet frustrating as many writers have failed to take a clear stand in condemning such an unhealthy trend of trying to justify what is totally wrong.

I majored in politics in my university days because of my interest and not because I wanted to be a politician or government official. I wanted to understand more about the world. In other words, before I entered the university, I had no idea what was a prime minister, or democracy, or dictatorship.

The systematic learning environment in the university has benefited me tremendously, especially in improving my attitude towards learning. In addition to make bold hypothesis and cautious verification, I learned critical thinking, in depth and with logic.

After my training in university, I can say there are many ways to change the society. However, tactics aim at rationalizing a campaign is absolutely not one of them. Therefore, I oppose breaking Police barricades, occupying the parliament, occupying the education ministry, insulting or throwing bricks at the Police.

To me, using such tactics to change the society only makes us the very objects that we wanted to change, or even worse. In other words, if this kind of people take over the government, they would not be any better than the old administration.

The reason is simple and may people have been blinded by emotions because they want to see what they want to see, praise what they want to praise and share what they want to share.

I remember a professor once said when the crowds tie a piece of white cloth around their heads, it means they have lost their reasoning power. I think in additional to white cloths, he should also add a face mask or a V-mask. When we lose our rationality, are we any difference from the thugs? The ordinary people may lose their rationality but never those who hold the pens.

A few years back when I was a reporter, I had the opportunity of interviewing Taiwanese veteran politician Shih Ming-teh over a meal and I remember what he said until today.

He said the red-shirts were absolutely strong enough to charge into the President’s office in those years. But once they did it, it would become a coup, and once the Pandora box is open, more coups will follow. He could not destroy the democratic system.

Looking around the world today, there is only one politician who is exemplary: Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy in Myanmar. A graduate of the Oxford University, she has spent her life in politics. She led her party in the 1990 general election and won overwhelmingly. But she was confined by the military government which declared the election invalid and refused to hand over the power.

Aung San insisted on promoting democracy through peaceful means and she spent the next 20 years in and out of house arrest. Last November, she led her party into another general election and made another clean sweep and showed to the whole world her persuasive power.

In simple terms, there are many means to change the government or the system. You can take an active part in politics, participate in peaceful demonstration, cast your vote or use your personal influence. By doing so, you avoid making the poor and marginalized people victims of social disorder.