March 21, 2008
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Not today.
I have knitting to show you, but this issue takes precedence.
Read this woman’s account of the current situation in Tibet, and contrast it with the glossed-over version put out to our major news sources. (This’ll get you started)
Some background info: Lena and Joy are Americans who have been living in a Tibetan village for the past several years, using their resources and reader donations to provide medical care and education to those in their area. Lately, though, Joy’s blog has shifted focus–a necessity–to serve as a straightforward, insider’s view of the horrors in her adopted country and the effect those horrors have had on the locals in her village.
But what really breaks my heart is this part from the blog post:
The Tibetans themselves are praying that the Americans and the United
Nations will step in and stop the slaughter. They believe that it’s
their only hope for avoiding genocide – they do not have enough numbers
and no ability to fight. Global pressure is the only thing they believe
will have the slightest effect on the Chinese authorities. He says to
me, please get the word out. Ask everyone in America to write the
president. He likes fights doesn’t he? Let him fight this if he’s going
to fight something. It’s our only chance. Otherwise the Chinese
government will kill us all.Even after all the massive fuck-ups of the current administration, America is seen as having the capability to help or alleviate this situation. This is not a new issue–the push for a free Tibet has been going on as long as I can remember, and long before I was born. And though we have the resources to fight a pointless war in the Middle East so as to line the oil companies’ pockets, our government is apparently unable to step in and actively work to resolve the situation in Tibet. Because over there, what’s in it for us? (Except, y’know, human rights advocacy, maintenance of a culture, and the peace of mind that comes from having done the right thing. Oh, and the possibility of redeeming ourselves in the worlds’ eyes.) But if we piss off China, we’ll lose our biggest source of $25 TVs and $2 t-shirts, so nothing will happen. Our priorities lay with saving a buck at Wal-Mart rather than saving a life halfway across the world.
Just something to think about this weekend….happy Friday?
Comments (4)
I couldn’t agree more with you. It’s so sad to think about everything that is happening around the world and even in our own country! I was just having a conversation like this with my mom and sister the other day. I irritates me that we have spent so much money on a “war” yet we have nothing to show for it. There are so many other important issues, such as the issue in Tibet, that could benefit from us helping. It’s a sad reality that so many people want to look past.
I’m so over America. I’m moving to a goat farm in italy.
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