Talk 188

On the eve of an American tragedy of Greek proportion, I would like to bring attention to the Lighters world wide on something that is more pertinent to us all over the world; and that is the issue of divided loyalty. The question always exists for all Lighters world wide in that: are you a Chinese or what?

Lighters in Hong Kong are no exception. For those in HK, the question is still valid: are you Chinese or a Hong Kong person or a HK person with foreign landing rights.

This question used to belong to the " bamboos" or the " Jokesing" (Ong Kwok-Yung's nickname).

Why?

In the old days the identity crisis was a problem for the first generation's program (meaning the offsprings of the immigrant becoming the first generation of the foreign born). The immigrants were always Chinese, they would eventually go back to "Tong Sang" and retire. The " Bamboos" did not know where they belonged. They always had the question where to go if and when the old man and woman went back to " Tong Sang".

This problem has become the problem for the immigrants to face. For the "bamboos", it is clear to them who they are, where they belong, and for which soccer team they would root.

The identity problem has become an issue for those who are immigrants, including those in Hong Kong, hence a problem for lighters all over the world without exception.

For those in North America, these Lighters are not completely a mainstream citizens in the normal sense. For me, I am an American Chinese as I have mentioned previously. A more appropriate term would be an American Hong Kong person. This makes me and those in a similar situation totally without a country to claim, or to be claimed by any countries in spite what the passport indicates.

I do know where I belong, however, without a doubt.

I belong to Pui-Ching and in particular I belong to the class of 1959 HK PC middle school, and the class of 59 belongs to me, to you, to all of us. This is the only organization I know I am a member of, and this organization accepts me as I am, as all of us are, no matter what, no matter what the passport indicates, just no matter.

Now we are about to get together in two weeks. If some of us still do not want to join in, cannot commit, don't know if time permits or simply don't care, then, it would appear a great loss and the misfortune to the only organization in the whole world which accepts all Lighters without any other requirements and qualifications. It accepts only Lighters, and no one else.

Please become an active Lighter. If you do not come to the reunion, you are still a Lighter, the loss is entirely to those who will come and those who will not.

The ball is now on the court of those who are still considering. Please hit it with your best shot.

To have and have not.