Column: How the Hong Kong protests renewed my hope for American Unity
For Americans with any level of political knowledge or engagement, the last few months could be described as some of the most frustrating and polarizing in recent memory. The now-official impeachment process levied against President Trump, for instance, has Americans so divided that if you turned your attention between left and right-leaning media sources, you would hear them analyze the same facts in completely opposing ways. If you only looked at one source, you would think that surely the president would be resigning any day now; looking at another, you might think that the president has been totally set-up and scammed.
This is a scary situation. Let us consider the words of Abraham Lincoln when he said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” I see two options for America: find a way to come together, sooner rather than later, or risk further polarization and gridlock. Would the country fall apart in the next couple of decades? Doubtful. It is possible, however, that institutions and norms could be eroded in a significant way. Consider, for example, a study done by the Pew Research Center in 2018 showing that Americans trust in the federal government — and each other — is declining.
Amidst our nation’s bickering, China has seen its own internal discontent explode in Hong Kong. Promised semi-autonomous power under the “One Party, Two Systems” doctrine over two decades ago, citizens are frightened — frightened because they perceive China as continuing to tighten its grip over the region. In response, the protests began — and they haven’t stopped. In the district elections held in late November, turnout was high and “more than half of the 452 seats in Sunday’s local district council elections flipped“ from pro-Beijing to pro-democracy candidates.
My faith in America and the spirit of freedom was renewed recently when I learned how the protesters in Hong Kong proudly waved the American flag as they sang the Star Spangled Banner. I realized that I had become cynical on the state of affairs at home and had forgotten that regardless of how divided we have become, the world still looks to us as a model of democracy — the “American Dream.” After watching the video, I also came across a picture with the caption, “Be the America Hong Kong thinks you are.” It was a call to remember what unites us and to take action as the America we aspire to be.
As a broader American public, this issue has brought much-needed unity and debate on how we can support and value democracy at home and abroad. Many public figures have commented on Hong Kong, an obvious example being Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey’s tweet voicing support of the #FreeHongKong movement. While there were some negative responses to Morey’s tweet, notably from Chinese accounts, the Chinese Basketball Association, and Lebron James, the overall response seemed mostly positive — soon fans at NBA games were handing out “Free Hong Kong” attire, the NBA commissioner asserted they would not censor managers and coaches, and Shaquille O’Neal publicly defended the tweet. The message for many Americans is clear: Hong Kong — and by extension democracy — is deserving of our help and support.
We can see this sentiment of unity regarding Hong Kong not only in my personal experience and popular culture, but in the actions of the federal government in response to the Hong Kong protests. For example, Republican Senators Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz both actually traveled to Hong Kong to see with their own eyes what was happening. Each had damning things to say about China and called for the support of the Hong Kong protestors. At the end of November, the president signed the “Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.” Similarly, Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi gave an excellent speech on the house floor, condemning China and encouraging a unanimous vote on the bill entitled “PROTECT Hong Kong Act.” Speaker Pelosi herself stated, “We have stood united in a bipartisan way. It has been a very unifying issue for us.”
Americans are coming together. Hong Kong is a “unifying issue for us.” Why? Because regardless of what the media tells you about “the other guy,” most Americans believe in democracy and freedom, and not just for Americans — for the world.
The people of Hong Kong have highlighted that division on policy and public figures need not divide us on the most important issues. America helped inspire their vision of unity in democracy. Now Hong Kong’s vision can inspire ours.
Sam Paepke is a senior at Utah State studying Business Administration and Organizational Communication. Some of his interests include a reading a good book, traveling, and attending USU athletics events.