Denise Ho 何韻詩HOCC| WSJ: For Hong Kong’s Celebrities, Supporting Occupy Protests Isn't Easy [English]

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• published: 26 Nov 2014
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Watch: For Hong Kong’s Celebrities, Supporting Occupy Protests Isn’t Easy《華爾街日報》專訪談政治覺醒　何韻詩：歌手對青年人有責任 The Wall Street Journal | WSJ | China | Nov 26, 2014 Full article http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2014/11/26/watch-for-hong-kongs-celebrities-supporting-occupy-protests-isnt-easy/ In the fight for democracy, Hong Kong students have been joined by various pop and movie stars. Among them is Cantopop singer-songwriter Denise Ho, who has spent numerous days in the occupied zone and has been outspoken during the Occupy protests, which have run into their eighth week. Born in Hong Kong, the 37-year-old musician moved to Montreal with her family at age nine. After receiving her education in Canada, Ms. Ho returned home to Hong Kong and started her singing career about two decades ago. She also appeared in movies and on stage as a singer-turned actress. This is not the first time that Ms. Ho has spoken up about social issues. In 2012, the pop singer came out to the public saying she was lesbian as part of a move to support gay rights during the Hong Kong Pride Parade. “For me, my career as a singer is just part of me,” she said. “I can’t let it comes before my values and beliefs.” As the city’s protests continue, the Cantopop star met up with China Real Time in the occupied area of Admiralty to talk about her political “awakening,” the challenges of being an outspoken celebrity in Hong Kong and her involvement in the Occupy movement. Edited excerpts: Aside from your background and upbringing, what else has affected your views on politics? I have really open-minded parents, and another important element is my idol and mentor Anita Mui. She was a very outspoken singer in the 80s and 90s. She stood up for the rights of the Beijing students in 1989 Beijing Tiananmen protests. As a teenager with an idol who was that outspoken on the so-called sensitive topics, I think that it had a really big influence on me and how I view my position as a singer when I become a singer myself. Do you remember a moment in which you first awakened to need to participate in social movements? The first moment that was important to me was 2012, when I came out as a lesbian. I couldn’t understand and accept the fact that we were in 2012 and the government couldn’t even let a consultation of public opinions on gay rights get through. It’s not even about gay marriage or issues like that. It was just a consultation. It couldn’t go through. So I was so angry at that moment. That was a moment in my life that I had a calling — I just had to come out and to stand up for the rights of the gay and lesbian community. What made you actively become involved with Occupy Central? On Sept. 28, there was tear gas thrown at the public. At the moment of that first tear gas, I was at home and watching the live feeds. I was really stocked and astonished by that move of the government. What did you feel at that moment? That was a very peaceful and calm protest. All of the people on the streets were just normal Hong Kong citizens and students. The fact that the government and the police decided to throw that first tear gas made me so angry. It was on that moment that I thought I couldn’t stay at home watching the computer screen and keeping my mouth shut. I just had to come out and to fight together with my fellow Hong Kong citizens. Was the decision a dilemma? ... What does your involvement in the protest consist of? ... Do you stay overnight? I haven’t stayed overnight. We take shifts. Because I’m a morning person, ... What else did you do to support the student protesters? ... What does the protest anthem mean? ... How does music matter to social movements? ... Do you feel any obligation to speak up for democracy as a celebrity? ... Why is it so difficult for Hong Kong celebrities to openly support the protests? ... Have you been affected by any bans or blacklists? ... Full (png) http://t.cn/Rz579pX http://www.post852.com/%E3%80%8A%E8%8F%AF%E7%88%BE%E8%A1%97%E6%97%A5%E5%A0%B1%E3%80%8B%E5%B0%88%E8%A8%AA%E8%AB%87%E6%94%BF%E6%B2%BB%E8%A6%BA%E9%86%92%E3%80%80%E4%BD%95%E9%9F%BB%E8%A9%A9%EF%BC%9A%E6%AD%8C%E6%89%8B%E5%B0%8D/ 美國《華爾街日報》網上版，今日刊出了近月積極參與佔領運動的香港歌手何韻詩專訪。何韻詩在訪問中談到她的政治覺醒，指出歌手只是自己生活的一部分，而這個角色的重要性不比她的價值與信念重要...