Over in Hong Kong, ten weeks of ongoing protests between the Chinese government and pro-democracy activists have upset one South African woman.
On Monday, a video of the woman speaking to journalists on site went viral after she emotionally claimed that she had moved from South Africa to distance herself from protesting.
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“South Africa has this. I don’t want this,” she said, referring to the protests.
She said she lives in the area, and explained: “I came from South Africa to move away from this… I don’t want this. This is not the Hong Kong I’ve grown to love.” pic.twitter.com/q8rO0Jxnbo
— Elaine Yu (@yuenok) August 11, 2019
The video was uploaded by AFP journalist Elaine Wu, and received more than 650 retweets and 900 likes.
South Africans did not take this comment lightly and were quick to call the woman out on her privilege.
“She left SA because of protests? Now Hong Kong people must not protest because that’s not the Hong Kong SHE wants? She’s not even from there,” one user tweeted.
She left SA because of protests? Now Hong Kong people must not protest because that’s not the Hong Kong SHE wants? She’s not even from there.
— Nthabiseng (@NthabiWabi) August 12, 2019
How do you make an entire protest about you?
I tried yt ppl. I tried to love y’all but you spend your time during other people’s struggles to make brunch plans.
You dont understand other’s struggles and their fight for liberation.
South Africa has taught you nothing, ekse
— Zee G. (@yazurd) August 12, 2019
She really just wanna enjoy her white privilege in peace,
In South Africa she’s not affected by everyday struggles of the masses.
In Hong Kong she doesn’t relate to what the Hong Kong people are protesting for.She’ll be in Australia soon.
— Valentino Nikolizky (@nikolizky) August 12, 2019
The entitlement is astounding
I’m just glad the world can see what we have to deal with. How she took these protests and made them about herself is wild. Wow. — Diamonds and Daisies (@Royal_T3a) August 12, 2019
“The Chinese are wrong for fighting for their freedom coz it inconveniences me, my comfort is more important than everyone else.”
White South Africans my lawd
https://t.co/I0UgyJqMBk — Seth (@MarsonSeth) August 12, 2019
Meanwhile, a slew of flights from Hong Kong International Airport were grounded on Monday after protesters entered the airport.
Feature image: screenshot, @yuenok via Twitter
