|
  | |  |
A plea: The News in Lhasa
Entry 8 of 11 | show all | print this entry |
It's been very hard not to be in Dharamsala these past few days. I know people who have been put in jail for peaceful protest. I know people who have family in Lhasa right now. We've been very disconnected from the world, here in Bhutan, and it's been painful. My plans to visit Lhasa after the trip are most likely not possible, and I feel for the first time what it's really like for the Tibetans to not be able to visit their homeland. Lhasa was going to make this trip come full circle. It would make it more powerful to come home and say that I not only heard what the Chinese government was doing, but that I saw it with my own eyes.
What's happening right now is history. If you have not heard, or if you have not understood fully, I beg you please read up on it, and please educate all you meet on what's going on.
A brief update:
A group of monks and protesters were arrested in Lhasa. This is the first uprising this big since 1988/9, when monks and lay people were slaughtered in the Lhasa main square. (for a good recount of this uprising watch, "Cry of the Snowlion" a documentary on the Tibetan fight for freedom.)
The Chinese government has claimed that as a result of the protests, 10 chinese people have died. I find it hard to believe that simple monks would kill... In reality, 10 Tibetans have been confirmed dead, and 100 are unconfirmed.
The government has now moved 60-70 tanks into Lhasa. They have given the protestors until today to calm down. If they do, there won't be any consequences. I don't believe this last statement. In 1988/9 there were consequences.
The March on China (starting in Dharamsala and planned to land in china by the start of the olympics) planned in part by Students for a Free Tibet, Tibetan Women's Association, and Gu Chu Sum (the TIbetan student's uprising movement), has been stopped by the indian government, a supposedly democratic government. Activists like Tenzin Tsundue and Tenzin Choeying, people who met with our group just a couple weeks ago, people who recognize me on the streets of Dharamsala, are now under house arrest.
The Chinese government has blamed the Dalai Lama for the uprisings. The Dalai Lama has been for over 50 years, an advocate of peaceful compromise, and has for the past 20 years advocated the Middle Way Agreement, giving Tibetan's the ability to govern themselves, but letting the Chinese have all military and international control in the area. When we met with His Holiness, he stressed that we were messengers of this plan. He does not want complete independence. He knows that the peaceful protests will only lead to killing, and this is what he wants to avoid. He has had no part in this.
I am proud to have voted for Barack Obama. His statement saying that, though we are economically invested in China, it does not make it ok that they are doing this. It's about time someone said something and did something like this.
Some important things to think about:
We are targeting the Chinese government, not it's people.
After knowing what the Chinese government did to Tibet, to the people of Darfur (by supplying weapons to the Sudanese government), and to their own people during the cultural revolutin and tienamin square, I find it hard to believe that we can continue to give china global recognition by letting the olympics continue. Excuse the language, but it is total bullshit that our government has said that the olympics are not political. they are EXTREMEMLY political, and china understands this completely. The olympics must not go on. this is the last chance for Tibet. If they don't get what they want now, there most likely won't be another chance... China is not our friend.
America has done some pretty fucked up things as well, and we must not forget this. But supporting China is another one of those things, and now we have the chance to right it. This is our chance to put a rising uncompassionate, destructive power in check. I've been scared about the rise of china for years. Let's not let our apathetic american tendencies get the best of us now. Speak out. Educate. Don't stand for this. This is not just for Tibet. It's our own future well being.
I hope you all are in better spirits than I am. I'm enjoying myself in Bhutan, it's beautiful landscapes, it's beautiful people, and the rich history that's rooted here, but I'm looking forward to returning to Dharamsala.
Be well, enjoy the turning of winter into spring, and don't forget what's going on...
Praying for peace and justice,
Charlee
Latest Comments (4)
|
Amazing (reply)
Mar 24, 2008 23:57 EST by the_mom
Gee!...everytime I turn on the news, it's about somewhere where you're at!! So, today it was that Bhutan had its very first democratic elections EVER...can't wait to hear what you have to say about being there while this was all happening. Hopefully Bhutan's Gross National Happiness has increased and that your Gross Personal Happiness has done likewise.
Love you,
Mom
|
|
So sad.... (reply)
Mar 18, 2008 21:44 EST by ms.rosita
Well, my dear Charlee, I must say I am so sorry you must witness the insane brutality of China's crazed attitude towards the monks, etal. I really want to say, 'China's FEAR of the monks' as I KNOW that FEAR is HATRED and therefore HATRED is really FEAR. I want to comfort you. I can not. It seems to be your Karma to be involved. I see this as a blessing. I hope you do, too.
Love and stre... show all
|
|
China (reply)
Mar 17, 2008 13:33 EST by lsanty
After being both in China and India recently and speaking with some of their political leaders, everything you're saying is starting to make sense. Countries that are on the rise tend to become obsessed with their image and economy and forget about their people. I admire your passion.
Love,
Luke
|
|
|
Oy! (reply)
Mar 17, 2008 08:35 EST by the_mom
I love you....stay safe...
Love,
Mom
|
 Post a new comment |
|
If you like this entry, search for other entries from Bhutan or try a new search. |
| |
Back to Entry - Back to Home
|
5 votes 
