It is about ‘US’

What is solidarity? People coming together as ONE is solidarity. People come together because they have common beliefs, common goals or the same dreams. The goals, the beliefs, the dreams, unite the group. And as these goals are pursued together, there is bonding.

Teams and clubs in school are built upon the solidarity and bonding of their members. As members come together, they have companionship and emotional support. Coming together also helps the team and club to achieve their common goals that may more than likely not be achieved if a person is working on his own. A football team is not only about the four main positions – the goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and attacker, but the other 7 team-members are important too. Each person has their role in the team and as long as they understand this and work in solidarity, the team can accomplish more when working together. If any one of these people begin to feel less about the other team members, or think the other members are useless, they would certainly not be doing as well, as solidarity no longer exists.

An explanation of solidarity I like is: solidarity is a way of life. When two people are “solid” with one another, they see the other not as a “them” but an “us”. Solidarity breaks down the “Me” vs. “You” thinking. It focuses on “US”. It requires us to be ‘solid’ with each other.

Yesterday the Principal shared the Chinese fable of the farmer asking his sons to come together to break a bundle of sticks that were tied together. They didn’t come together. Each brother was focusing on himself, the “ME” rather than the “US”. The farmer had to take the bundle apart so each brother can break the stick individually. Now although they did break the sticks when they were UNTIED, it also showed that they did so alone as they refused to unite to solve the bigger problem of the bundle of sticks. Unity would have certainly been greater strength.

Now in school, we say we are Shungtakian, what does that mean? A Shungtakian is defined as a person belonging to the school who is united in body and mind. A Shungtakian follows rules, works hard, lives our school motto ‘Ora et Labora’. A Shungtakian feels hurt when someone tries to destroy the reputation of the school. A Shungtakian feels happy for the success of another Shungtakian. Being Shungtakian, requires you to think of the US in Shung Tak. It requires you to think of those in the past who have made Shung Tak what it is today, a strong school with good students and good results. It requires you to also think of the future, that means you want the future generation to also be proud of being Shungtakian. This is solidarity.

Yesterday when the Principal announced that Mr Ho is now a Vice-Principal and Mr SB Lau is an Assistant Principal, you cheered loudly. That simple cheering was an act of solidarity.

Ms. Brenda Lee
2 September 2021