April 2008: Pro-Tibet & Pro-China
23 / April / 2008
Mixed Messages
Wow, the message about Tibet really seems to have been confused.
The message was initially Pro-Tibet demonstrations in Tibet (marking the 10/March Tibetan Uprising which happened 49 years ago along with the Dalai Lama’s entry into exile) which met with violent and lethal rebuttal from the Chinese government – 150 people died, many more were imprisoned or disappeared. Demonstrations spread around the world were of concern for the Tibetan people and culture under Chinese rule, with specific concerns surrounding human rights, practising their religion, maintaining Tibetan culture and the ability to express their opinion.
This message seems to have been polluted with messages about “let’s boycott the Olympics” and general anti-Chinese sentiments. I disagree with these messages and I don’t think that they’re in any way representative of any pro-Tibet organisation. Pro-Tibet doesn’t mean anti-China, that’s not the way we roll. Let’s just stick to the main points: human rights in Tibet, practising their religion, maintaining Tibetan culture and the ability to express their opinion.
More recently Pro-Chinese demonstrations have been happening all over the world, trying to illustrate how Western media has misconstrued what’s happening in Tibet. In many ways I’m all for those pro-Chinese demonstrations. I support people taking to the street to support and promote their cause – good for them.
The irony is that the pro-Chinese demonstrations happening around the world are able to express their opinion around the world and they aren’t being persecuted for it. Whereas in their homeland, just the opposite is happening – people trying to express their opinion are being gunned-down, witch-hunted, rounded-up and locked-up.
Questioning
So I’m pro-Tibet, I’m also pro-China and I don’t see any contradiction there. I’m not bagging the people of China in any way, shape or form – I just disagree with the Chinese government on their Tibet policy and I’m expressing that disagreement. I’m questioning the Chinese government’s policies, just as the Chinese communities around the world are questioning Western media. The Chinese government’s policies seem to be achieved through censorship, propaganda, force and violence.
There has been enough tears and blood shed. Through questioning, through open dialogue there could be resolution to these problems. Through discussions the Chinese government could change their policies, equality and freedom in China could abound, it could be beautiful baby.
Tibet Rally: Sat. 5th April, mid-day @ Frank Kitts Park on Jervois Quay, Wellington. All welcome …
3 / April / 2008
It is only a few days until Helen Clark signs the Free Trade Deal with the Chinese Govt. Aotearoa / NZ has a unique opportunity to do something positive for Tibetans.
We want to give Helen Clark a clear mandate that she should speak up strongly in China and call on the Chinese Government to:
- Free Tibetans that have been imprisoned for protesting;
- Allow a UN delegation and foreign media into Tibet unchaperoned;
- Engage in meaningful dialogue with the Dalai Lama to find lasting solutions to the situation in Tibet.
Peaceful, friendly event.
Wear something orange (colour for remembering Tibet).
Bring your friends, family, and a picnic.
There will be speakers, music and activities. Hear about what is really going on there and what we can do from Wellington.
Sign the petition for Helen Clark to stand-up for Tibet here
Events organised by the Tibet Solidarity Network, Friends of Tibet Wellington, and concerned Wellingtonians. Contact 027 314 2884 or tibetan@email.com for more information. Check out this website for more info on Tibet or any other world news sites.
Tibet Rally: Sat. 5th April, mid-day @ Frank Kitts Park on Jervois Quay, Wellington. All welcome …
I guess all of this is coming to a head, in some ways brought about by the Olympics being hosted in Beijing is only serving to put China under a very unforgiving spotlight.
In some respects it makes me acutely aware and deeply grateful for all of the choices that I have by merely being born into this world in a Westernised country. There are so many other people out there who don’t get any education because they can’t afford it, don’t get to vote because they’re a woman, get shot for just expressing their own political views, get their organs harvested for expressing their own religious views, and on and on.
Whereas before I was quite content to ignore the problems of the world, now I feel a change in me – where I am more interested in what’s going-on in the world, but not in a doom-and-gloom sort of a way, but in a Sean Penn do-gooder stylee. I’ve become aware of a few of the problems of the world, but there are things that can be done.
One initial reaction is to say that nothing can be done. Or to say that if I did write to my MP / Senator / Government Representative then it would be ignored and nothing would be done. Indeed it might be ignored, but that’s the point at which you actively engage your existing MP / Senator / Government Representative and make them aware of the fact that you don’t mind voting for somebody else, that your confidence is waning, that they are failing to serve their communities and perform the role to which they have been appointed and that they should either help or go fuck themselves with an iron pole.
All of this sounds very involved, very demanding in-terms of time that might otherwise be well-spent happily twitching in the corner on Gummi Berry Juice with Hard Dance music blaring out. One of my coming-of-30 realisations is that life is quickly passing me by and I can either continue to be a good-time fun-loving type or I can do something positive – like trying to improve the lives of others. While I’ve known this before, now Old Man Time is knocking more loudly on the door, I’m beginning to think about what is important and what is worth doing …
Latest News
- Sign the petition for Helen Clark to stand-up for Tibet before she departs for China on Saturday 5/April/2008
- I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to world leaders and the international community for their concern over the recent sad turn of events in Tibet …
- Sources at British Spy Agency Confirm Tibetan Claims of Staged Violence
- Dalai Lama suggests China could be behind Tibet unrest
- China Scholars Condemn CCP’s Brutality in Tibet
- Eleven years ago Tash risked his life to flee Tibet. Now he has risked it again by returning with a hidden camera to film the stories of torture, murder and forced sterilisation that China does not want the world to hear …
The People’s Liberation Army would never incite violence by dressing-up as monks and running amok. They would never think of doing anything like that. Not a chance …
Play safe,
Tomo
