K S LO ENGLISH

In recent years, the discussion of “racism” and the “LGBTQ+ community” has become a popular topic in many countries. It is a trending topic on social media, and many people have different opinions about it. The younger generation pays close attention to and supports the ideas of “anti-racism” and the “LGBTQ+ community,” but these concepts have slowly become twisted. Many young teenagers misunderstand these ideas, which has also created resentment and disagreement between these topics. In this article, we will discuss the original concepts of “anti-racism” and the “LGBTQ+ community,” as well as my point of view on these two popular topics.

The Concept of “Anti-Racism”
Racism was a serious issue in earlier years. As we all know, people from different countries have different skin colors, such as black, yellow, tan, and white. In those earlier years, the problem of racism was prevalent around the world. The victims of racism were often Black people, as they were losing freedoms and rights. Countries were enacting laws to control the rights of Black individuals. For example, Black people and people of other skin colors had to separate themselves in public spaces. There were Black-only spaces and spaces for other skin colors in almost every public area during that time.

Nowadays, the younger generation has developed a strong awareness of anti-racism. Teenagers on the internet point out that Black people deserve better and fair rights, just as people of other skin colors also deserve fair rights. They have initiated multiple actions to fight against racism, which are intended to protect people of different skin colors. As a part of the younger generation, I have slowly realised that the concept of “anti-racism” is becoming unfriendly and has created many misunderstandings. Is the action of “anti-racism” becoming unacceptable and harmful towards people who are not Black? We will explore this further below.

The Misunderstanding of “Anti-Racism”
People misunderstand that the victims of racism include not only Black people but also individuals of other skin colors. To raise awareness of “anti-racism,” internet users are agreeing that video game developers and movie directors should change their fictional characters’ skin colors to Black. Is this action a positive way to promote awareness of “anti-racism”? As the trend of “making fictional characters” has gone viral all over the internet, more people seem to be disagreeing with the concept of “anti-racism.” People are pointing out that they feel offended and disrespected when they are persuaded to change their skin colors to Black. From my point of view, the majority of internet users are fighting against the action of “anti-racism.” We can see that this action is no longer positive but rather negative.

What’s even more concerning is that people on the internet are being resentful and disrespectful toward white people. Historically, white people have treated Black people in the worst ways. Some teenagers believe that white people should bear the responsibilities and consequences of treating Black people badly in the past. In my opinion, our education has improved in recent years. The system of slavery no longer exists in our society, which means the majority of the world has a high awareness of being respectful to all cultures and skin colors. The current generation of white people may not be as disrespectful as past generations, and they should not bear the responsibility for the historical system of slavery.

The Conclusion of “Anti-Racism”
To summarise, the original purpose of “anti-racism” was to take positive action. Many teenagers on the internet misunderstand the original concept, which leads to additional issues surrounding the topic of “anti-racism.” Everyone deserves equal treatment in our society, regardless of skin color. The main purpose of this topic is that we should be respectful to everyone in the world.

The Concept of the “LGBTQ+ Community”
In recent years, people around the world have developed different mindsets about their sexuality. With the increasing popularity of social media, individuals are sharing information about the “LGBTQ+ Community” through posts and videos. People are adopting more open-minded attitudes and feeling less embarrassed to share their sexuality. The concept of “LGBTQ+” includes bisexual, lesbian, transgender individuals, and more. Some countries are enacting laws that allow people to marry partners of the same gender, providing more rights and freedoms for those who wish to build a family with someone of the same gender.

While it may seem that the “LGBTQ+” community is positive, many people still complain about it. They argue that individuals in this community can be disrespectful and disrupt their usual lives. We will explore this issue further below.

The Issues that are Brought by the “LGBTQ+ Community”
As I mentioned, many people are complaining that the “LGBTQ+ Community” is interfering with their lives. Everyone has their opinions, and we should feel free and comfortable expressing our points of view. However, some individuals in the community seem to be forcing others to support their sexuality and gender.

What’s more, transgender individuals may identify as any gender or object they desire. What problems could arise if a male identifies as female? Does that mean he can use the female restroom simply because he has the right to do so? From my perspective, this is a concerning issue worldwide. People are feeling insecure in such situations. The original purpose of “LGBTQ+” is to allow individuals more freedom to be themselves and to become whatever they wish. Unfortunately, some individuals misuse this opportunity to harass others, which undermines the positive purpose of the movement.

The Summarisation of the “LGBTQ+ Community”
People in this community should not be aggressive toward those who do not support the concept, as everyone has their own opinions. On the other hand, the “LGBTQ+ Community” brings many rights and freedoms to individuals who want to become whoever they are comfortable being. People can build relationships and families with their partners without worrying about the consequences of the laws. However, this does not mean they can misuse these rights to commit illegal acts.

From my perspective, both individuals in the “LGBTQ+ Community” and those who are not part of it should be respectful of each other’s opinions. I believe that if people learn to understand and respect each other’s viewpoints, there will be more supporters of the “LGBTQ+ Community” in the future.

The Final Conclusion of “Anti-Racism” and the “LGBTQ+ Community”
We have explored the concepts of “anti-racism” and the “LGBTQ+ community,” gaining insight into the positive and negative impacts of both topics. We can see that both communities bring rights and freedoms but also create various problems in society.

To conclude, people need to learn to be respectful toward others. I believe that this could decrease the number of arguments on the internet and foster more peace on both sides of disagreements and agreements.

Background

During World War I, the USA was a member of the Entente Powers. Unlike France and the British Empire, the USA produced no tanks. As a result, they chose to start the mass production of the French Renault FT tank, which is called M1917; this marked the start of US tank development.

Interwar Period

After World War I, Dwight David Eisenhower and George Smith Patton started their mission to develop armored troops for the US Army. However, many senior military officers opposed the use of tanks to fight independently, as they thought tanks should be used to support infantry. These opinions directly caused the US Congress to dismiss the tank corps of the US Army.

At the same time, the United States Department of War requested the design of light tanks with weights lighter than 5 tonnes and medium tanks with weights lighter than 15 tonnes. However, the failed M1924 tank proved that the request was impossible to finish. Many designs were rejected during this period.

Finally, in 1931, Douglas MacArthur started to promote mechanization and motorization in the army, especially for the cavalry to replace horses. Then, in 1936, the new “car” research started (“tanks” were still not allowed to be built according to the 1920 National Defense Law). There were some “combat cars” produced in the late 1930s, including the T7 and M1/M2; they all used machine guns as the main weapons.

World War II

I. Light tanks

a.) M3/M5 Stuart

During the Battle of France, which started in June 1940, US investigators found that the M2 light tank used by the UK and France could be easily destroyed by German tanks. As a solution, new light tank designs—the M3/M5 Stuart—rolled out in March 1941 and 1942 respectively. Stuart tanks have better armor and a more powerful 37mm cannon compared to the M2.

b.) M24 Chaffee

In 1944, the M3/M5 Stuart was too outdated to be used. The M24 Chaffee was then developed to replace Stuart tanks; it has a more powerful 75mm cannon. In November 1944, many Chaffee tanks were sent to Europe and North Africa. However, it did not make many contributions to the war as only some Chaffees entered the war, and some tank divisions were still using old M5 Stuarts as light tanks when the war ended. Most Chaffees joined the Korean War in the 1950s.

II. Medium tanks

a.) M3 Lee/Grant

M3 Lee is a medium tank that started being used in 1941. The tank is named after famous generals during the American Civil War, which are General Robert Lee (American version of M3) and General Ulysses S. Grant (British version of M3). The main difference between M3 Lee and M3 Grant is their turret, which is quite easy to identify. Both versions of the M3 were armed with a 37mm cannon on the turret and a 75mm cannon on the hull, as well as a small turret for machine guns above the 37mm cannon turret. Although the M3 has relatively thick armor, it has some drawbacks such as a high hull and bad mobility. Also, as its 75mm main gun is located on the hull, the power of the tank is limited. It was soon replaced by the M4 Sherman. The photo below shows both the M3 Grant (left) and the M3 Lee (right) so you can easily see their difference.

b.) M4 Sherman

M4 Sherman is one of the most famous tanks ever, with more than 48,000 produced; it served in many countries including the UK, France, and China. It also has many variants. I will introduce some here. The first one is the M4A1, which is the basic design of the Sherman tank. It was armed with a 75mm cannon (yeah, Americans use a 75mm cannon throughout the war). Some were then changed to a 76mm cannon, providing better firepower, and were called M4A1(76w). At the same time, the M4A1 tank is also infamous for its poor armor, so it has the nickname “Ronson” (a lighter produced in Germany) as it can be easily destroyed and catch on fire.

The next one I want to introduce is the M4A3E2 “Jumbo”. As the M4A1 and M4A2 tanks could not withstand attack from German tanks such as the Tiger and Panther, the US Army tested a new tank using the hull of the M4A3, which has the best protection among all Shermans. Additional armor was attached to the hull and a new turret was used. After modification, the tank can withstand Germany’s strong 88mm cannon and 75mm cannons. Same as other Sherman tanks, the M4A3E2 has both a 75mm cannon version and a 76mm cannon version (M4A3E2 76(w)).

Not only the two variants I introduced, there were a lot more variants such as the M4A2, M4A4, M4A5, and Sherman Firefly (used by the British army), etc. We can see that the Sherman is one of the most successful tanks produced.

III. Heavy tanks

a.) T1E1/M6A1

The T1E1/M6A1 heavy tanks were prototypes of the US Army designed to test heavy tanks, as many countries at that time were already producing their heavy tanks, such as the KV series of the USSR and the Churchill series of the UK. The T1E1/M6A1 tanks were armed with a 76mm main gun and a 37mm gun. Only 40 tanks were produced, and they never joined any battle.

b.) M26 Pershing

M26 Pershing is a heavy tank (reidentified as a medium tank after WW2) used by the US Army. It started mass production in 1944, and hence a limited number of them joined battles. Like the M24 Chaffee, most Pershings joined the Korean War instead. Pershing had excellent armor at that time with its powerful 90mm cannon, which made it the second-best tank in WW2 (just under Germany’s Panther). Pershing also had many variants such as the Patton series (M46, 47, 48), which was the main power of USA tank forces for more than 50 years.

IV. Conclusion

Although the USA started its tank development late, the country still brought out many excellent designs that influenced the world and also made many contributions along with its allies to fight the Fascist powers in WW2. Overall, the US created a unique style of tank designs and has had a great influence on modern tank design.

As society develops rapidly, urban redevelopment becomes inevitable. In Hong Kong, this has led to the demolition of many old buildings and the destruction of lots of memories. While these projects have a series of benefits, they also bring potential issues to Hongkongers. In this essay, I would like to list the pros and cons of urban redevelopment.

There are several key benefits to demolishing old buildings. The main advantage is to create more land for residential housing, which helps reduce the average waiting time for public rental housing. In the past, public housing estates were generally low. However, as the population of Hong Kong grows significantly over time, the existing public housing supply is no longer adequate for today’s residents’ demand. As a result, the average waiting time for public rental housing has continued to rise. Therefore, the government has decided to demolish old buildings and construct more public rental units to mitigate housing pressure across Hong Kong. Take Wah Fu Estate as an example, the government has claimed that after the reconstruction, Wah Fu Estate will provide 12,200 housing units, 3,000 more than before.

Another benefit of urban redevelopment is the improvement of living environments and infrastructure in the old urban districts. Many public housing estates in Hong Kong are old, resulting in poor infrastructure. Residents often have to walk long distances to access bus stops or MTR stations. However, after reconstruction, there will be a significant improvement, including more plantings, public open space, community facilities, and transportation options. For example, after the redevelopment project of Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate, both commercial and recreational land use were expanded. Additionally, the establishment of the East Kowloon Cultural Centre near the site of the old buildings provided residents with more places to relax and spend their leisure time.

While the benefits are noteworthy, the drawbacks cannot be ignored.

One major drawback of urban redevelopment is the destruction of the bonding between the city and its inhabitants. Many people have lived in these old buildings since childhood and have developed a strong connection to their neighbourhoods. They often purchase daily necessities from local shops beneath the estates, fostering a sense of community. However, as a result of urban redevelopment projects, many of these shops have been forced to close, severing these connections. For instance, Hoover Cake Shop is a traditional western bakery which opened in the 1970s. Famous for its egg tart, Donald Chow is one of its loyal customers. Unfortunately, due to the redevelopment of old areas in Kowloon City, the shop was closed on October 1, 2022. The closure of Hoover Cake Shop devastated a lot of local residents, leaving them feeling powerless in the face of the closure of traditional shops and sorrowful over the loss of memories.

In addition, urban redevelopment leads to the loss of memories associated with the city and neighborhoods. Like aforesaid, many residents have lived in these estates since childhood. They have cherished memories of playing with friends and dining at local fast-food shops… These old buildings are not just structures; they embody the memories of the community among the residents. For example, the rainbow-coloured walls of Choi Hung Estate are a beloved symbol for many Hongkongers. However, after the reconstruction, it remains uncertain whether these colourful walls will be preserved. The shops in Choi Hung Estate will close, and with them, the memories of local residents will be buried.

In conclusion, there are obviously both benefits and drawbacks of urban redevelopment. While it creates more land for housing and improves living qualities, it also destroys the memories and the bonding of the locals. This raises a crucial question: is it necessary to sacrifice community heritage for urban development?

Talking about air crash accidents now, what do you have in mind? “Boeing again!” Right? So, is Boeing that hazardous?

Before I start, I am sorry to tell you that in Hong Kong, flights are mostly operated with Airbus and Boeing aircraft (COMAC C919 is now available in China Eastern (MU), but only on MU721/2). Just take Cathay Pacific as an example—there are 53 Boeing planes in their fleet right now (17 B777-300 + 36 B777-300ER), and 21 B777-9 will be delivered from around 2026, which means that you still have a 29% chance to take a flight with a Boeing. But I’m going to tell you that Boeing is NOT that bad.

I need to tell you one thing that may surprise you—around 80% of air crashes are caused by human errors, not the aircraft itself. Unbelievable, right? I can give you some evidence. China Airlines flight 611, which is a flight between Taipei and Hong Kong using a Boeing 747-200 jet, experienced an in-flight breakup on 25 May 2002. All 225 people aboard died. In-flight breakup? Boeing? The plane’s problem! NO! In fact, the cause of this accident is all about inadequate maintenance of the plane, not because the quality of the plane is bad.

Ok, then you may ask, why does Boeing still use the hydraulic machinery system? Isn’t computer control a safer choice? Not really. Airbus uses computers to control their aircraft—I admit that it is more convenient, but it also causes some crashes. For example, China Airlines flight 140, which was a flight between Taipei and Nagoya operated by an A300-600R, crashed on 26 Apr 1994. It was caused by a conflict between computer control and the pilot; while the computer was controlling the plane to fly upward, the pilot was trying to descend, which caused the crash. We can see that there are still hazards even when a computer is used.

Another plane system that you might have heard of before is the MCAS system used on the Boeing 737 MAX series (a flight stabilizing feature developed by Boeing). I know you worry about it, as it caused 2 crashes. But Boeing already modified the system; also, all aircraft need to be qualified by the FAA (United States of America), EASA (Europe), and CAAC (China). The chance of a plane crash is as low as 0.00008333333%, so boarding an aircraft will be extremely safe.

Finally, if you still do not trust me, look at the screenshot I captured:

This screenshot shows the number of Boeing 737 jets flying ONLY in Asia at the time I was typing. How about those in other continents and other types of Boeing crafts? If all Boeing aircraft were dangerous, why are so many Boeings flying above us?

Next time you are on a plane, just enjoy your journey and relax. Trust me, air travel is the safest way to travel—no matter what manufacturer and type of aircraft it is.