My dad is Li Gang
来自China Digital Space
我爸是李刚 (wǒ bà shì Lǐ Gāng): my father is Li Gang
Massively popular catchphrase from a tragic car accident that killed Chen Xiaofeng, a college girl in Hebei in October 2010. Chen had been in-line skating with a friend when they were both struck by a speeding car driven by intoxicated 22-year-old Li Qiming. The driver attempted to flee but was intercepted by security guards. Undeterred, he yelled, “Sue me if you dare, my dad is Li Gang!” and gave birth to one of China’s most popular Internet catch phrases to date. Li Gang was the deputy police chief in the Beishi district of Baoding, Hebei; his son’s supposed immunity is an example of how the behavior of the governing second generation can lead to popular outrage.
After Chen’s death, Chinese blogger Piggy Feet Beta started a contest inviting entrants to incorporate the phrase “my dad is Li Gang” into classical Chinese poetry. The contest received over 6,000 entries and helped propel the phrase to memedom.
In January 2011, Li Qiming was sentenced to 6 years in prison.
“My dad is Li Gang” was one of the first Internet memes to permeate offline language. People would use the phrase to shrug off responsibilities, from doing homework to turning out the light. It even found its way onto road signs, reminding drivers to drive carefully—after all, “your dad is not Li Gang.”
Example:
@Salsac: Another my father is Li Gang has appeared in Jiangmen! An old lady named Li Gong was hit by a car while crossing the street. She later died after failed attempts to revive her. The driver was no where to be found. Instead, a number of senior government officials contacted the victim's family asking for them to forgive the driver...is there any justice left? (June 4, 2015)
江门又出现我爸是“李刚”了! 老太太丽宫过马路被撞飞 抢救无效死亡 - 老太太丽宫过马路被撞飞 抢救无效死亡! 司机一直没再出现，反而是什么镇长、所长、行长打电话给死者家属，内容都是要求放过司机...... 这还有公理吗？[Chinese]
See also horse of deception and compare fathers.
