Patriotism... a subject?
A few hours ago, a friend of mine contacted me, informing me about the newest chinese political struggles, and I was convinced to write a little bit about the newest cause for student protests, a new untried subject which is to become a compulsory topic for all students.
Half a year ago, the government informed schools that a new compulsory subject, called 'Nationalism', or as some dubbed it, 'Patriotism', was to enter the schooling curriculum on September the 1st.
Such a thing was unprecedented and unannounced, making the people panic at this sudden news.
They went to see with their own eyes what this mysterious new subject was, and glean more information on 'Nationalism'. This was an unneeded bother, though, as textbooks were sent to schools around the country for teachers to witness.
And the people were horrified at its contents.
It heavily portrayed the communist party, the government, as a unifying entity, an altruistic organization, and as a progressing and active authority.
Mentioned also was Europe, in particular the prominent Western countries, and I the governments there which were 'unstable and insecure'.
It was written in textbooks, without even the pleasure of implication, that the different parties in those countries battled against each other, two different entities waging war on the enemy party, whilst the people were ravaged by catastrophe and calamity which followed in its wake.
And as the newspapers leaked out this news on their headlines, the students read, and they rebelled.
They asked for talks with the government, and were granted it, friendly negotiations with the people who sat at the top. But the government delayed the negation of this new topic, and stated that, in three years time, the subject would be reviewed, and, if needed, cancelled from the curriculum.
But students argued. They reasoned that this subject need not even be placed into the curriculum to begin with, but their cries went unheard by the party.
Protests were organised, manned by the many students flocking to the streets, but nothing happened, the government turning a blind eye.
And as the talks got heated, the governing body gave out a message, firmly stating that this new subject, 'Nationalism', would be placed into school curriculum’s as a compulsory subject, and it would be placed in school timetables on September the first, 2012, quelling with stamped words any and all concerns about the necessity of the topic.
And yesterday, on the 30th of August, students commenced a hunger strike.
If you support their actions, then please leave a comment and/or click any of the buttons below. Repost, reccomend, tweet... Their hunger strike will only last a couple of days, though, so please act speedily!