Kowtow

As the June 4th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre approaches, the Chinese community in Toronto is openly split as to whether or not to commemorate the event. Many want to let bygones be bygones and just get on with things. Business perogatives to them are paramount. Remember the Red Cross estimates 2000 died that day, not counting the thousands injured. It is hard to imagine the chaos then while on a present day visit to the site in thoroughly modern Beijing. But China has a split personality does it not? Kowtowing to the current leadership at any given moment is part and parcel of being Chinese. Who wouldn't given the circumstances of repression? A common assessment is that the students that day were advocating democratic reform. In fact it is said demands for an end to corruption were the number one issue. Millions of people were in the streets, not just those at the square. And Beijing was not the only place of protest. How much do we hear of events elsewhere in the country? If we know little think how much most Chinese know. Officially there is no history of the event although you can bet your boots the government has not forgotten. Then protest leaders are still put under house arrest at this time of year to prevent recurrences. Not everyone kowtows.
Source; The Current, CBC Radio, Friday June 2nd.