An Interview with: Mr Wilson

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself to the readers?

I’m from Fairfax,Virginia, USA. The father of a Year 2 CIS student. I like to think, perhaps too much.

2. What’s your fondest memory from high school?

This is classified information. The Wilson archives will open to the public 10 years after my death.

3. What drew you to settle down in Hong Kong and teach history?

The first part of this question is easy. A very close friend who had been living and teaching in Hong Kong for many years convinced me to move here. I had never lived outside the US and felt that there may not be a better opportunity, particularly with a support network already established. For the second part, bear with me. I was “drawn” to study History as I wanted to understand the various historical references in the Philosophy books I was reading, and to understand the context that gave rise to certain literary movements. In some sense, I had to study History to understand what I really loved, which was Philosophy and Literature. In time I came to realize that History was as much about Philosophy and Literature as it was about events in the past. So, armed with the requisite degrees, I saw an advertisement for a History teacher, applied, 26 ISSUE 24 XIAO HUA 26 ISSUE 24 XIAO HUA and fortune was on my side. That was 11 years ago. I made the move to CIS 5 years ago because I had heard rumours, since verified empirically, that there were bright, dedicated students with the potential and desire to create History. I wanted a piece of that. It seems fortune does sometimes favor the brave.

4. If you could witness one historical moment, what would it be?

As an observer, Christ’s crucifixion would be most sublime. If I could intervene, I would return to that fateful afternoon in the early 1980’s when my dad-he must have been drunk-- bought a lime green station-wagon. I would find a way to sabotage that moment.

5. Knowing that you recently obtained your PhD (congratulations!), what advice would you give students aiming to pursue one as well?

Technically, it’s an EdD (Doctorate of Education), HKU makes distinctions between full-time and part-time doctoral candidates, and I was the latter. It’s a six year journey that takes a physical and emotional toll. I will never forget the “welcoming” seminar held with all of the first year students. The lecturer (imagine referring to yourself as a “lecturer”) asked us to look around, then to imagine half the people in the room disappeared. “Half of you will not make it through this programme,” he

warned, in a manner perhaps more fitting of a general speaking to soldiers being sent off to fight a distant war than to a group of nervous academics, but his prophecy proved correct. Consider for a moment that all the students present in that room had masters degrees, were experienced educators, and had spent significant money and time to arrive at this moment. Yet more than half the students did not make it past the first two years. It takes a certain type of person, and I'm not sure one should aspire to be this type. Today the rewards for creativity are immense. It may be wiser, or at least more enjoyable, to invest the six years into a project with some close friends. That said, if you can easily pass the hours in a library or bookstore, you consider books as close friends and mentors, and you derived pleasure from writing the EE, your soul may find rest in academia.

6. Is there a saying that you live by?

"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." - Bismarck

7. Beyond teaching, we know you're also an avid martial artist. Could you tell us more?

I believe something referred often to as "mind" is a real thing that exerts profound influence on our thoughts and actions. I also believe that mind and body are two expressions of the same reality. To train the body is to train the mind, and vice versa. Martial arts is my way of being consistent with my theory of mind. It's also been a great way to surround myself with people who, like me, are interested in exploring better versions of themselves. Martial arts have a way of revealing a person's soul, of trimming away self-delusions. I think it's important to encounter our real self, the coward, the bully, the hero, the buffoon, whatever it may be. We can then decide if a re-creation is in order. And feedback on the mats is immediate and unembellished.

8. What legacy do you hope to leave behind at CIS?

Wow, a legacy? I suspect I will go out with a whimper rather than a bang.