The Cenotaph & the Christmas Tree

This image was taken in Central. It is located between Statue Square and the City Hall. The gray pillar-like structure in the center of the image is called a cenotaph, it is a war memorial made in honor of the dead whose remains lies elsewhere. This particular cenotaph is simply called "The Cenotaph", it commemorates the dead in the First and Second World Wars.

Oftentimes we have this Us versus Them mentality, such as cereal first and milk first. Hongkongers and Mainlanders. Pineapples on pizza and no pineapples on pizza. My religion and your religion. This race and that race. And of course, refugees and non refugees. The perception on refugees in Hong Kong is honestly a mixed bag. Depending on who you asked, some do not even know we are here. Some welcome us. Some would prefer if we are not here. Some accepts us as Hongkongers. Some are just indifferent.

I like to believe that the overall perception on refugees in Hong Kong is a positive one. Despite some bad apples spoiling the whole orchard. Despite the differences. I say this because just around this cenotaph, especially near the Christmas tree, there are people from all over the world and all walks of life here to celebrate the festivities with each other. It is a comforting sight and it fills me with hope for a better, stable and peaceful future. Which I think is what most if not all people would want, refugees or not.