Last year in Oxford I met a student from Hong Kong who has been active these past several weeks in the protests there. I got in touch with her to see if she would be willing to comment for our story on the protests (p.5).

Our conversation was absurdly normal. There was no indication, for instance, that she had risked her life last week to protest against an overbearing Chinese government — that, indeed, she had been tear-gassed for fighting for the kind of representation that we in the U.S. enjoy every day.

What did I do last week? I worried about my levels of sleep as I plunged into midterms, an honors thesis proposal, and a Fulbright application. What did Kate do? She stood on the streets of Hong Kong to fight for freedom. My sleep deprivation suddenly felt a lot less significant. 

It’s easy to forget about what’s happening in Hong Kong; it is a whole ocean away. But Kate’s actions speak far louder than my words. She and her cohorts are the bravest of the brave, and deserve all possible recognition, support and praise.

By paying attention, we let them know that their cause is not lost on us. Of all people, we as Americans know the benefits of the goals for which they fight. Let’s pay attention as we enjoy the long weekend.   ABN