Mr. Leung Kwok-hung, also known as ‘Long Hair’, has been working very hard to strive for democracy in Hong Kong. He is a great source of inspiration to me.
Long Hair is a wild figure. Although he is a legislator, he acts differently from others. As his nickname suggests, his hair is long – it does not change even after he enters the Legislative Council. Unlike other men sitting with him, he does not wear proper suits or have his hair cut. Instead, he insists on wearing T-shirts and blue jeans like how you and I are dressed. It is to show that he is from the grass roots sector, and works for the public. In 2004, when he was first elected as a legislator, and was asked to take an oath, he did not follow the standard ritual. Besides saying that he would be loyal to Hong Kong and China, he promised to ‘be loyal to people’ and ‘plead for June 4th victims’. What he does makes me impressed.
Long Hair dares to speak up. He treasures democracy, and strives for the benefits for people. He has been a legislator since 2004, and he is very eager to participate in the weekly meetings of the Legco. He raises different issues like universal suffrage and citizens’ grievance. This raises the awareness of such topics. He even dares to shout at the government officials who do not do a good job. Years ago, when it was decided that the toll of Eastern Harbour Tunnel would be raised, Long Hair led a group of people to protest against it. He is not afraid of being criticized by others, but strives for what he believes is important.
I used to be very shy and passive. I could smile and nod my head even if I encountered a variety of unpleasant, annoying situations and my anger bottled up. I would never ever look up and speak up for myself or anybody else. I used to think it should be fine to ‘create a harmonious environment’.
However, after getting to know Long Hair and his actions, I learn that it is pointless not to be proactive to strive for my, or others’ interests, since the problem will never go away if I become passive. Therefore, the new I is willing is speak and take action to show my uniqueness, and to fight for my, and others’ rights.
Long Hair always wears T-shirts with the logo of El Che Guevara, the democrat in Latin America. He said that Guevara is his idol of a democracy fighter. Long Hair is my El Che Guevara.