Watch Your Words

Christian Action works tirelessly on all fronts (especially at government level) to bring about change, but one of the hardest things to change are people's personal biases. At times they are truly appalling and hurtful to others. Sadly, some of the worst perpetrators can be Hong Kong's residents.

Here's an example of thoughtless bias experienced by one of the domestic helpers Christian Action has been assisting: Tini is from Indonesia and has some insight into what creates a harmonious society. She believes in keeping Hong Kong clean, respecting others, and making an effort to keep communication clear and open, yet she has faced discrimination that could have made any one of us bitter. She told us,

"My elderly employer's oldest child wouldn't let me hold her young son's hand (as you would when keeping a small child close to you to keep him out of danger). Nor would she let him come into my room, or touch my possessions. She told him they 'might be dirty.'"

The discrimination Tini faced may appear to be small, but it is shameful. She found it deeply humiliating.

I heard about Tini's situation because a group of university students from Hong Kong University invited domestic helpers in Christian Action’s programmes to an 'Art jam'. They called this initiative 'We Care'. Art is a bridge which allowed the participants to cross over between each other’s worlds.

Tini's drawing of three women doing ballet showed that she was not imprisoned by the bitterness of her humiliating experience. When asked why she chose to draw ballerinas, this is what she told us:

"I love art, particularly music and dancing. The painting reminded me of the beautiful feeling when I found my new family at Christian Action. It made me want to dance. When I first arrived, I felt that no one cared for me. No one loved me. I was not respected.  And I longed to be loved and respected. I was very happy after I arrived at Christian Action’s shelter. My new friends and the staff became like sisters to me. They took the time to listen to me. I felt I could share my story with them. I have new hope."

That was a wonderful affirmation of Christian Actions programme, because it affirms our view that domestic helpers have so much more to give than just domestic help.

I hope that if you ever notice that workmates, relatives or friends practice the sort of discrimination that Tini faced, you will speak up in favour of the 'Tini's' of this world. It may be an opportunity for the discriminatory person to realize how hurtful their words can be and therefore change their ways. I do believe that this is one way each of us can advocate for change in our society.