There are more and more different kinds of street performances in Hong Kong. While these performances add spice to street culture, some people and even the buskers themselves call for more regulations on street performances. Write a letter to the editor stating why people have such a demand and discuss the arguments of both for and against having more regulations on busking. At the end of the letter, state your standpoint.
Dear Editor,
Recently, street performances thrive in Hong Kong. There is a surge of buskers who perform different kinds of performances in the city. While these shows add spice to street culture, some people and even the buskers themselves wish more regulations could be implemented. I am writing to explain this phenomenon and discuss the arguments of both sides.
First and foremost, some passengers argue that some street performances cause a nuisance to them and affect their daily activities. There are even more grumblings from the citizens living near the pedestrian zones. In fact, some busking activities like singing can generate a loud voice and they may unintentionally affect the passers-by. Some street performers may even use a lot of amplifiers which keep the volume of their performances extremely high. As a result, citizens demand some rules to control their activities. For instance, performances should keep their volume down at certain time. These can minimize the negative impacts brought to them.
Apart from the passengers, some buskers also want other performers to maintain a good manner. In reality, some musicians and artists tend to improve their work and share it with the passers-by. However, some other buskers may just rumble randomly and do not cooperate with one another. Therefore, the nuisance brought by those buskers actually adversely affect other street performers. As the passionate buskers cannot carry out their performances smoothly, they demand more regulations to be enacted in a bid to control the poor manners of some buskers and avoid them being viewed badly.
In fact, there are still plenty of reasons to account for the demand of more regulations to hold busking in check. Nevertheless, this idea has stirred up so much controversy.
First of all, it is palpable that more regulations can reduce the negative impacts of busking on the passengers. If there are clear rules to control the behaviors of the street performers, for instance, an upper limit of volume they could create and the maximum number of performances at a time, busking will no longer take its toll on the passers-by and residents nearby. Therefore, the people will not complain angrily anymore and they will start admiring the marvelous acts of the buskers.
Besides, more regulations can bring about more opportunities to more engaging performers. Some rules can be utilized to weed out the dire displays. Random rumblings are neither fun to onlookers nor other buskers. If more regulations are implemented, not only will the poor manners of some buskers be rectified, but some passionate buskers can also play their roles easier.
A coin has two sides. While there are valid arguments for more regulations, there are also some negative views on enacting more regulations on busking.
More regulations mean that there are more restrictions for the street performers. It will damage the freedom and variety of street performances. Busking is a form of self-expression. If strict rules are set up, for example, restriction on some types of busking activities, the purpose of individualism can be destroyed. Eventually, the buskers can only perform the shows that are allowed on the list and creativity as well as freedom of expression will seriously be eroded.
Moreover, some regulations can be at odds with the form of busking. Some say that a regulation should be imposed to let buskers perform at a place away from the crowded areas and claim that they can draw citizens’ attention. However, ‘busking’ means performing on a street. It should take place at busy streets so that passengers can stop and relax. In a word, more regulations seem to reverse the concept of busking.
In a nutshell, the arguments of both sides are all valid. However, I still strongly believe that more regulations should be set up to address the problems raised by both passengers and buskers so that a balance can be struck. It is hoped that busking can indeed enrich people’s city life and be a boon to all citizens, especially the stressed Hongkongers. Our pop culture should develop organically.
Yours faithfully,
Chris Wong
Chris Wong
6E Dick Ho Yik Chung
2015 -16