JoeFerguson Posted March 17, 2008 Posted March 17, 2008 In college I took a class about Tibetan Buddhism. I read the Dalai Lama's autobiography "My Land and My People". The Beastie Boys told me to Free Tibet, so I was down with freeing Tibet. That was almost ten years ago. Since then I've become close friends with many Chinese people who give me their side of the story. I also saw the Dalai Lama speak at UB last year and was unimpressed. In light of the recent protests, I'm wondering what the heck the point is. When westerners say "Free Tibet" do they really know: 1. What Tibetans actually want? 2. Where Tibet is located? 3. Where the Dalai Lama lives? 4. If China can really be considered "communist"? I realize this is more appropriate for the PPP board, but I'm more interested in a casual reader's perspective before it gets moved.
stuckincincy Posted March 17, 2008 Posted March 17, 2008 In college I took a class about Tibetan Buddhism. I read the Dalai Lama's autobiography "My Land and My People". The Beastie Boys told me to Free Tibet, so I was down with freeing Tibet. That was almost ten years ago. Since then I've become close friends with many Chinese people who give me their side of the story. I also saw the Dalai Lama speak at UB last year and was unimpressed. In light of the recent protests, I'm wondering what the heck the point is. When westerners say "Free Tibet" do they really know: 1. What Tibetans actually want? 2. Where Tibet is located? 3. Where the Dalai Lama lives? 4. If China can really be considered "communist"? I realize this is more appropriate for the PPP board, but I'm more interested in a casual reader's perspective before it gets moved. Please...
Fezmid Posted March 18, 2008 Posted March 18, 2008 Since then I've become close friends with many Chinese people who give me their side of the story. So what's their side of the story?
Kiwi Bills fan Posted March 18, 2008 Posted March 18, 2008 This is a joke, right? (Just say that it is... you won't come out looking so friggin' stupid.)
JoeFerguson Posted March 18, 2008 Author Posted March 18, 2008 So what's their side of the story? I will summarize one man's point of view. I'm assuming that this is one felt by many Chinese loyalists: Tibet claims they want autonomy so they can practice their religion without interference from the Chinese government. According to the Chinese, this is a just an excuse. Tibet really wants autonomy so that high up Tibetan Lamas can fully control their feudal society where the poor stay poor and the rich get richer, essentially use slave labor. The Dalai Lama, who was thrown into a political role as a young boy, is just a pawn used by some secret group of Tibetan higher ups.
Fezmid Posted March 18, 2008 Posted March 18, 2008 I will summarize one man's point of view. I'm assuming that this is one felt by many Chinese loyalists: Tibet claims they want autonomy so they can practice their religion without interference from the Chinese government. According to the Chinese, this is a just an excuse. Tibet really wants autonomy so that high up Tibetan Lamas can fully control their feudal society where the poor stay poor and the rich get richer, essentially use slave labor. The Dalai Lama, who was thrown into a political role as a young boy, is just a pawn used by some secret group of Tibetan higher ups. Well after reading your response, I have only one question for you.... Do you believe in the Illuminati? That's what the Chinese theory sounds like to me.
udonkey Posted March 18, 2008 Posted March 18, 2008 http://lookatmeshirts.com/index.php?productID=330&pos=4
JoeFerguson Posted March 18, 2008 Author Posted March 18, 2008 Well after reading your response, I have only one question for you.... Do you believe in the Illuminati? That's what the Chinese theory sounds like to me. I really don't think the situation in Tibet is black and white. Although it seems like the Chinese stance I just relayed sounds very much like propaganda, I do not think the Tibetans are completely innocent in this whole mess. I'm just wondering if anybody ever actually thinks about it, or if they just automatically decide that China=communism=bad, Tibet=religious freedom=good. How can we really know unless we've been to Tibet?
Fezmid Posted March 18, 2008 Posted March 18, 2008 I really don't think the situation in Tibet is black and white. Although it seems like the Chinese stance I just relayed sounds very much like propaganda, I do not think the Tibetans are completely innocent in this whole mess. I'm just wondering if anybody ever actually thinks about it, or if they just automatically decide that China=communism=bad, Tibet=religious freedom=good. How can we really know unless we've been to Tibet? I don't think about China or Tibet at all, actually....
Just Jack Posted March 18, 2008 Posted March 18, 2008 ... can fully control their feudal society where the poor stay poor and the rich get richer, essentially use slave labor. Sounds like China and their factories. And yes, I have been to China. They say they're Socialists, but it's still a Communist nation.
JoeFerguson Posted March 18, 2008 Author Posted March 18, 2008 China invaded Tibet in the 1950s. According to China they already owned it so it wasn't an invasion.
Pete Posted March 18, 2008 Posted March 18, 2008 I am a huge Gandhi fan and Tibet is one of the only places where passive resistance did not work. It has not been fun to live in Tibet for years. Imperialism is alive and well
The Poojer Posted March 18, 2008 Posted March 18, 2008 the "Free Tibet" crowd has people like George Clooney on their side and he is soooooo dreamy, so I am on Tibet's side. In college I took a class about Tibetan Buddhism. I read the Dalai Lama's autobiography "My Land and My People". The Beastie Boys told me to Free Tibet, so I was down with freeing Tibet. That was almost ten years ago. Since then I've become close friends with many Chinese people who give me their side of the story. I also saw the Dalai Lama speak at UB last year and was unimpressed. In light of the recent protests, I'm wondering what the heck the point is. When westerners say "Free Tibet" do they really know: 1. What Tibetans actually want? 2. Where Tibet is located? 3. Where the Dalai Lama lives? 4. If China can really be considered "communist"? I realize this is more appropriate for the PPP board, but I'm more interested in a casual reader's perspective before it gets moved.
Dr. Fong Posted March 18, 2008 Posted March 18, 2008 According to China they already owned it so it wasn't an invasion. The Chinese think they own a lot of stuff that they don't.
Fewell733 Posted March 18, 2008 Posted March 18, 2008 why should the opinion of other westerners affect your opinion on Tibet? Just cause you don't like hippies or whatever, doesn't mean that you should favor repressive dictatorships. Those excuses are all lame and are the type used by all tyranny to justify seizing land and imposing iron fisted rule on people that don't have the power to resist them. See Germany and the Czechoslovakia.
KD in CA Posted March 18, 2008 Posted March 18, 2008 When westerners say "Free Tibet" do they really know: 1. What Tibetans actually want? 2. Where Tibet is located? 3. Where the Dalai Lama lives? 4. If China can really be considered "communist"? I would bet a year's pay that 98% of people who have a "Free Tibet" bumper sticker couldn't answer those questions if their life depended on it. Yet another cause for mindless Americans to get riled up over so they can feel like they are "doing something".
The Dean Posted March 18, 2008 Posted March 18, 2008 Whenever I see a "Free Tibet" sign, I always think to myself, "I bet that's 'with purchase'." That's how they get ya.
KRC Posted March 18, 2008 Posted March 18, 2008 I would bet a year's pay that 98% of people who have a "Free Tibet" bumper sticker couldn't answer those questions if their life depended on it. Yet another cause for mindless Americans to get riled up over so they can feel like they are "doing something". That is a pretty easy bet to make.
Recommended Posts