Your Voice: Don’t blame Michelle Obama for English DSE; ‘To My Nineteen-year-old Self’ directors must be ethical (short letters)

I am writing in response to the article “DSE 2023: Students vent anger on Michelle Obama for tough English exam featuring excerpt from her memoir” (April 24).

As a Hong Kong student, I understand the significance of DSE grades. However, attacking someone online because you may not achieve top grades is not the way to handle this situation.

Candidates need not worry excessively about their English grades, as a certain percentage of students are able to achieve 5** each year, the highest grade possible, regardless of how tough the questions or passages are. If a candidate finds the exam particularly challenging, it is likely that others will feel the same. Around 10 per cent of candidates will be able to attain Level 5 or above. Candidates can set aside their concerns.

Although the difficult text was written by Obama, it was the city’s exam authority that decided to adopt the piece and set the questions. Blaming one of the most prominent Americans for something she is innocent of is truly embarrassing for Hong Kong.

Why Hong Kong students are commenting rudely on Michelle Obama’s Instagram

Clarisse Poon, St Paul’s Co-educational College

The controversial documentary To My Nineteen-year-old Self was awarded the Best Film at the Hong Kong Film Awards despite the fact that one interviewee said she had not consented to any public screenings. Co-director William Kwok Wai-lun offered advice to fellow filmmakers in his acceptance speech, urging them to not be afraid to “shoot first, edit first and release first”. He later apologised to Ying Wa Girls’ School for his speech, admitting that he was insensitive.

Let’s not forget that this documentary involved filming minors who have less bargaining power than the filmmakers. This power disparity creates ethical issues. While the film offers an up-close and personal look at each protagonist’s life, such storytelling is tied to the ethical responsibilities of safeguarding the minors’ privacy and ensuring consent for the film to be released onto the big screen.

In comparison, I believe other documentaries such as In the Name of God and Lost in the Fumes were filmed with mutual trust and respect between the filmmakers and the protagonists.

We should reflect on the objective of documentary filmmaking. Was this “Best Film” made at the expense of students’ interests?

Co-director of Hong Kong film To my Nineteen-Year-Old Self apologises to Ying Wa Girls’ School school for awards acceptance speech

Etta Lau, St Paul’s Secondary School

Fast fashion is a major problem, as mass-produced, low-quality clothing contributes to waste accumulation. Unfortunately, more people are buying fast fashion without understanding its negative impact. During its production, fast fashion requires large amounts of water and chemicals. The factories pollute the air and water, releasing carbon dioxide which is one of the greenhouse gases.

The solution is simple: we should vote with our wallets by choosing to buy quality clothing over quantity. Durable clothes can be worn for a longer time, reducing waste. Also, we should shop for sustainable fashion made in socially-certified factories that treat workers fairly and use eco-friendly materials to minimise textile waste.

If we have already bought fast fashion items, we should not dispose of them too quickly. Instead, we can creatively upcycle them. For example, we can turn a hoodie into a wiping cloth or even gloves to do household chores. We can also use unused clothes to make pouches or pillowcases. These are all effective ways to avoid wasting clothes.

Jimmy Guan Changyi, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

Learning a new language has many benefits. Communication with people from different countries is essential, making the ability to speak a second language more important than ever.

Studies show that people who speak more than one language have better memory and problem-solving skills. The process of learning a new language requires the brain to work harder, which can lead to improved memory function and a reduced risk of dementia in older age.

Should schools make it compulsory to study at least one foreign language?

Many industries place a high value on employees who can communicate with people from different countries. Some corporations are always looking for multilingual employees who can facilitate communication with global clients and partners.

Language and culture are closely linked, and by learning a second language, one can gain a deeper understanding of the people who speak it. This can lead to greater empathy for other ways of life. It can also facilitate travel.

Learning a second language can also improve one’s first language. When learning a new language, one becomes more aware of details such as grammar. This can help in communicating more effectively in one’s first language.