首度獲邀出席美國駐英大使官邸舉行的獨立日慶典，於英國—曾經是美國和香港的宗主國—慶祝一場反殖民的歷史。(English version in below)

1776 年，美國人反抗英國殖民統治，主張人民有權決定自己的未來，主張政府的正當性必須建立於人民的認同之上。249 年過去，這種信念仍未在所有國度實現，在香港甚至被視為禁忌。

自由與自決，並非專屬於某一國家或民族，而是所有曾經被剝奪選擇權的群體理應擁有的尊嚴。

香港政府禁止學生參與美國獨立日活動，甚至連認識一段歷史、理解不同價值觀都被標籤為「政治敏感」。這不僅是壓制思想自由，更是對心靈與世界觀的封鎖，反映出統治者對自由的深層恐懼。

殖民從不只靠旗幟與疆界，壓迫亦不必然透過武力。而是透過操控歷史敘述、收窄思想空間，逐步令人不敢思考、不敢表達、不敢相信自由的可能。

作為一位香港人參與 7 月 4 日的慶典，不是為了美化一場歷史勝利，而是重新喚醒信念。

殖民從來不只是過去，更是延續在權力與語言之中的關係。

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I was invited to celebrate the U.S. Independence Day at Winfield House. It was an honour — and a moment for quiet reflection.

To commemorate a revolution against colonial rule in the capital of the former empire itself — one that once ruled over both America and Hong Kong — this symbolism isn’t lost on me.

In 1776, Americans declared independence from British rule, asserting that the legitimacy of any government must rest on the consent of the governed.
249 years later, that belief still hasn’t been realised everywhere. In Hong Kong, it has even become taboo.

Freedom and self-determination are not exclusive to any people. They are the dignity of all who have been denied the right to choose their own future.

The Hong Kong government bans students from participating in Independence Day events — as if engaging with history is itself politically dangerous.
It’s telling.
The fear of history, of discussion, of even allowing young people to hear different ideas — that itself is a sign of deep insecurity — not of foreign influence, but of freedom itself.

Colonialism doesn’t always come with a foreign flag. Authoritarian control today often works by controlling narratives, narrowing minds, and policing thought.

As a Hong Konger attending July 4th, I wasn’t there to romanticise a historical victory, and not simply celebrating a country’s independence — I’m honouring a belief that still speaks across time and geography: that people should be free to imagine, to dissent, and to choose.

And that the struggle for dignity — through freedom, through self-determination — remains unfinished.