Thread by @MainlandVoices

Note 27: I was a 'little pink', until the HK protests...

" Hi, I want to talk about how the protests in HK has affected me.

I grew up on the mainland, used to be a ‘little pink’, a wumao, full of pride.

1/11

https://twitter.com/midwaydude/status/1196411743607541761

"When I was really young, a textbook at a conference didn’t have the Chinese flag on it; it just wouldn’t do, so I used a red tablecloth to improvise one - I did dumb stuff like that.

2/11

"Most ppl at the conference were foreigners, a few were Chinese, they all looked at me and pitied the dumbass that I was. That was the first time it occurred to be, that maybe what we’ve been taught wasn’t the truth, that that's not the way to interact with others outside.

3/

"The foreigners and Chinese people who’ve lived abroad for a while at the conference all felt very embarrassed for me. I’ve never told anyone about this, because I’m just so ashamed of it.

4/11

"It’s easy to see the way of life is better outside, having observed while living abroad for more than a decade. But I still often clung to the lies I’ve learnt in the mainland, to persuade myself, to make excuses for my country. At least I did, until the protests in HK.

5/11

"Being abroad, this is the first time I’ve been able to see news & information about protests directly. It’s not like the Cultural Revolution, or June 4, where it’s just listening to the older folks talk; also not like Xinjiang, where there are no journalists on the ground.

6/11

"When there are protests, there’d be 8-9 channels, even more cameras, all streaming live.

It’s also possible to see everyone’s reactions to the protests online - and this might be the first time I saw for myself how despicable news in the mainland can be.

7/11

"In the past, I’ve always known CCTV is selective with its reporting. Now, I know that when it needs to, CCTV is more than happy to outright lie.

8/11

"My thoughts have always been with HK, I wish HKers can add oil, I wish HKers will look after themselves. Sometimes, I think to myself, why not find a small town, small island in Australia? All those who love freedom in HK can move there.

9/11

"We’ll just leave the city to those who support the CCP, and let the CCP watch it fall to ruin. And all those true HKers, in their new home, they will be sure to rebuild and find prosperity again within a decade.

10/11

"But I also understand why HKers would want to protect the home they grew up in and not want it to be occupied by the CCP. I can only admire them, I can only ache for them. I hope more people wake up, on the mainland, and outside, and not let HK face this fight alone!"

11/11