Recently there have been demonstrations, assemblies, and a hunger strike to fight against Moral & National Education (so-called ‘brain-washing education’) which was to be introduced into all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong within the next 3 years.
120,000 people assembled outside government headquarters on 8 Sep against the introduction of Moral and National Education
Fortunately the HK Chief Executive said the government would leave the decision to include the subject, as well as the subject content, to the schools. That has stopped the hunger strike and the week-long assembly outside the government building.
I think that since the handover, HK people should have anticipated a gradual ‘nationalization’ by the Chinese government. Most countries mainly teach their school kids the positive history of their country – be it a victory or a defeat in a war – the home country is mainly right. At least that’s what I thought until I talked about this with my husband.
Me: I just don’t understand why the HK people are so radical. Come on, all countries are doing the same at school.
My husband: No, Japan is not like that.
Me: (suspiciously) Oh really? Did they teach you about the Nanking Massacre in school?
My husband: We are not sure if it really happened. Why would it be in the textbook?
Me: Uhhh…
So there are no exceptions. My husband was brought up in the Japanese education system. To me, history is history. We always say, “we must learn from history in order not to make the same mistakes”. But if dwelling on history could ruin the current friendship between two countries, I’d rather have everyone forget the past.
If you were me, would you tell your child that his dad’s people were part of a crazy killing machine yet they say they are not sure if the massacre really happened? Or maybe we should let the kids find the truth out by themselves? In this world of propaganda, what is the truth anyway?
catplatt
DesiValentine
heidinevin
jmlindy422
kfhoke
maro adjemian
mmmothering
Momma Be Thy Name
natasha devalia
mamaseyian
pascalinap
Paty Meléndez
renu86
Sadia
Sharon,
Thanks a lot for sharing this very personal post with us. It’s a really interesting topic and must run deeply for both of you as parents. Not easy to deal with at all. I wonder if each parent giving his / her own take on it, and both versions being so different would mess with the kid or not?! Hopefully a discussion that won’t come up until your son is quite a bit older!