As people continue to cry over the Sichuan earthquake, let's not forget those who died in vain 19 years ago today, right smack in the heart of China: Tiananmen Square.
I usually keep quiet about this issue. Usually just post a picture or a news article. However, it seems like more and more people are forgetting about the Tiananmen Square Massacre. Survey says that more and more people (nearly 15%) now think that the Chinese government did the right thing when they deployed the PLA, which resulted in death of thousands of student protesters.
Maybe 19 years is a long time, and people are forgetting the blood, sweat, tears, and pain they saw on television. Perhaps it is some of the younger folk who didn't live through the incident, and pass judgement based on things they were told.
Remembering "June 4th" is no easy feat. You watch as less and less people attend the annual memorial events. It's like trying to promote democracy in China, or like getting China to admit they were wrong. It's like talking to a brick wall.
Nearly 20 years later, exiled former student protesters are still not allowed back in the country. Many former protesters are still in prison. The parents of dead protesters are closely watched, and they are not allowed to go anywhere near the Square to pray for their dead children.
Since China certainly hasn't forgotten about this date, why should we? Don't give China a free pass on this. Don't let people forget.
I usually keep quiet about this issue. Usually just post a picture or a news article. However, it seems like more and more people are forgetting about the Tiananmen Square Massacre. Survey says that more and more people (nearly 15%) now think that the Chinese government did the right thing when they deployed the PLA, which resulted in death of thousands of student protesters.
Maybe 19 years is a long time, and people are forgetting the blood, sweat, tears, and pain they saw on television. Perhaps it is some of the younger folk who didn't live through the incident, and pass judgement based on things they were told.
Remembering "June 4th" is no easy feat. You watch as less and less people attend the annual memorial events. It's like trying to promote democracy in China, or like getting China to admit they were wrong. It's like talking to a brick wall.
Nearly 20 years later, exiled former student protesters are still not allowed back in the country. Many former protesters are still in prison. The parents of dead protesters are closely watched, and they are not allowed to go anywhere near the Square to pray for their dead children.
Since China certainly hasn't forgotten about this date, why should we? Don't give China a free pass on this. Don't let people forget.
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