If you've listened to, read, or watched the news in the past few days, you might have heard about the "umbrella protests" in Hong Kong. Technically a part of China since England gave the colony back to Chinese leadership in 1997, Hong Kong is still in the midst of a huge transition. At the time of the transition in 1997, the Chinese government in Beijing signed on to a deal that would allow Hong Kong residents to democratically elect their own local leader in 2017. Just last month, though, Beijing went back on this statement, announcing that the candidates for the position would have to be screened by a Chinese-government-selected committee. This event, in addition to the general tension of Hong Kong's uncertain future relationship with the rest of China, led residents of all ages to take to the streets in protest.
Read more here about why, over the past few days, college students and other common people in Hong Kong have blocked the government's headquarters, fending off pepper spray and tear gas using umbrellas.
Also, here you can read an analysis on CNN Opinion of what this protest could mean for China & Hong Kong's future. This piece was written by Will Piekos, a former student of mine from Middlebury College.
Read more here about why, over the past few days, college students and other common people in Hong Kong have blocked the government's headquarters, fending off pepper spray and tear gas using umbrellas.
Also, here you can read an analysis on CNN Opinion of what this protest could mean for China & Hong Kong's future. This piece was written by Will Piekos, a former student of mine from Middlebury College.