Post-Colonialism to My Ears

Recently, the post-colonialism studies in our class have centered around that of countries in Africa. This is perhaps due to the fact that the most prominent pieces of evidence come from Caucasian views on this continent. However, post-colonialism refers to the aftermath of the subjugation of one group of people; it does not always allude to Africa. A pattern I've noticed is a lack of independency after a country releases the assimilated population. Oftentimes, although society modernizes with time, traces of a colonized nation remain. This can be observed in both distinct and subtle examples. 

Great Britain brought Hong Kong under its wing in 1841. It declared the island as part of its empire until giving it to China during the next century. Yet, even as the British dismissed them, pieces of post-colonialism still linger. The instance this post will focus on is on the unstated, indirect effect on Canto-pop, or HK-pop. 

Oftentimes to find what a society finds hip, looking at the trendsetters themselves is a good start. In researching various artists, I was interested to find many popular, familiar English names. Some of the band names were also words from our language; this includes Purple Nine, Twins, and Shine. The attached picture is a list of the top album sellers in 2009 for Canto-pop in Hong Kong. I was surprised to know all of the bands listed had English names and English song titles. Here, the only Chinese words were the last names of certain individuals. 

2009 IFPS Sales Chart, Hong Kong

Additionally, in searching the individual artists, some also supported appearances of Caucasian people.  

Shine

To conclude, post-colonization happens worldwide despite the number of generations passed. Sometimes, it is as unnoticeable and subtle as the people who fill our music players. It isn't a clear insult of one party versus another, but the fundamentals of post-colonization are still present. 

Steveston Cares

I know this has nothing to do with English and it has nothing to do with any literature I've read recently. I should have posted this much earlier, but I only thought of it now.

If you have time, please come down to Fisherman's Park (just outside of Georgia Cannery in Steveston, at the end of Moncton Street)! We are having a Japan earthquake and tsunami relief walk. You can come any time from 10am onwards, keeping in mind that it ends at 2pm. It's only a kilometre walk to No. 1 Road and back, but please come if you can! And bring a couple of dollars to donate, if you can spare. Funds go to rebuild a fisherman's village in Japan.

look for the crazy person wearing this on the front

look for the crazy person wearing this on the back

thank you!

Baby Steps of a Beginning Criminal

          The modern day teenagers may be enthusiastic and friendly, but society often forgets they are also young thieves. A common pastime of theirs is finding websites to download their favourite songs for free. This is incontrovertibly illegal, as the act of taking objects without a form of payment is against the law. Stealing music is a prominent issue that everyone labels as immoral. Generations before us have lived without illegal downloading; therefore, modern society should be no different. The only excuse today's teenagers have is that they are too cheap to pay cash. Yet, they're simultaneously setting themselves up for prison; furthermore, they are manipulating the leniency of the British Columbia Youth Justice Act. Perhaps the only solution is to teach them that downloading music is no different from stealing equipment in a recording studio. Once this message is conveyed, adolescents will understand they have the power to refuse illegal activity or face a life as a criminal.