The Promise of Lady Liberty

Fengshi Yang

Opening remarks
The 19th anniversary of “Tiananmen, June 4th” Memorial Concert

6/1/2008

What is any moment without its promise, without its dreams, without its hope for the future? That moment is empty.

Please know, that such an empty moment does not exist, because every moment contains promise. Just like an acorn seed promises the oak tree; a baby promises an adult; and the student promises a mind that can think thoughts for the greater good of his people. But, not every promise becomes reality.

Nineteen years ago, Lady Liberty lived in Tiannamen Square. The moment was filled with promise and dreams and hopes for democracy in China. It was an astonishing moment in world history. The promise was great. But, it was never allowed to take root. So, China lost an opportunity; we lost courageous young souls who dared to dream of something miraculous for their country; and the world lost a chance to have the most populated country in the world turn into a democratic republic. We must remember this moment. We must honor our dead... we must honor our survivors. And we must keep vigil with the dream, with the promise of that moment.

All change requires loss. But, staying the same takes it toll, also. Why was China like Odysseus shipwrecked in a stormy sea... clinging ferociously to the shattered keel of his original ship...? What could have been our present moment now had China then the courage to try democratic freedoms? We will never know the answer to that question. But, we must hold on to our memories of the promise of that moment 19 years ago. We must remember those who gave their lives for the possibility of change, especially since that change has not yet happened.

Democracy is hard work. Freedom means the possibility of mistakes, the chance to agree to disagree and the opportunity to try again. Let us remember the promise from 19 years ago when Lady Liberty stood in Tiannamen. May she live again for the sake of our people, our troubled nation, and for the sake of world peace.

The world can tremble in many ways.
Whether it is the ideological challenge to the status quo
Or the literal quaking of the ground upon which one stands.

19 years ago
the world trembled
and then, held its breath
as the promise of the moment failed.

19 days ago
the land rumbled,
buildings tumbled
and the world trembled at the destruction and loss of life.

All must begin anew
for we are never the same after such an event.

We pray for those victims.

We pray for those in Sichuan province
who have no choice
but to exist in this strange new reality.

And we stand here today
keeping vigil with them
in our hearts and prayers.

We pause
for a moment of silence
as we light our candles
out of respect for the magnificent mystery of life.

Let us remember all those who suffer.