1. Use the link below to read about the self-immolations of Tibetans. Describe your general reaction to the article. What stood out to you? Were you surprised by anything you read? Did the article shed light on some of the reasons some Tibetans have chosen to self-immolate?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-25195006
Use the link below for the BBC website on Tension in Tibet to find out more about the current conflict. Based upon your knowledge of the situation in Tibet, please respond to the following prompts:
2. What do you think might account for the different opinions held by the Dalai Lama and the younger generation of Tibetans regarding the relationship between China and Tibet and the future of Tibet?
3. How might the situation in Tibet be a model for understanding larger global issues in the early 21st century?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/asia_pacific/2008/tibet_tensions/default.stm
Use the link below to access an updated timeline from the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-16689779
18 comments:
1)This article was incredibly interesting as it shed light on the beliefs and feelings held by the Tibetan Citizens currently. It is easy to forget that racism in Tibet is still happening to this very day looking upon the issue from the United States. Though self-immolation is absolutely horrifying and self-deaminizing. I can truly understand how the citizens are pulled in such a strong direction. They are pulled so much that they believe that the only way to truly get their message across or even get anywhere is to kill themselves. They use this as an act of courage so that others may be freed in the future from Chinese rule. All in all, it really shocked me that these people feel so scared to an extent that they are frightened to even voice their opinion verbally. I tend to forget that not all countries have freedom of speech and this scares me incredibly. It literally chills me to the bone.
2)From reading through many different articles, I can see that the younger generation of Tibetans is leaving the idea of peaceful conflict rather they are starting to employ violence. I honestly believe that the reason that these young Tibetans are abandoning peace is because they have seen their family suffer, and are sick of the injustices that plague their society. They are also influenced by fellow wars in other countries that use violent tactics. I assume that they figure that, that is the only way to religious freedom. I think that it is sad that they are abandoning the ideas of the Dalai Lama to some extent as he held such as pivotal role in Tibetan society in the 50’s.
3)The situation in Tibet is a war that may never finish. It is difficult to look past the colossal amounts of deaths back in the 50’s and the immolations in the present. Faith is more powerful than weapons and speech so it will be difficult to end this battle fairly with both heads high. We can use this situation as a model as the whole population was needed to try to keep their faith. I believe that the strongest message that can be taken from this situation is that everyone needs to work together to remain strong and powerful with good intentions.
-Victoria B.
1) The article was a little surprising and it reminded me that many people face racism in the world today. Although we see self-immolation as extreme, I can see how the Tibetan people feel like they don't have a choice. The only way to get their point across is through these extreme actions: such as self-immolation.
2) The younger generation of Tibet has begun to give up on the idea of a peaceful resolution to the conflict with China. I can certainly understand why the younger generation is giving up on peaceful resolution, although I do find it sad that they are doing so. They have seen a lot of violence and hurt from China, and maybe they think violence would be more affective at this point.
3) While China is resorting to violence, the Dalai Lama has stayed true to the personal values of his faith. Regarding looking at this in the 21st century, I think it's important for countries to remember the basis on which they were founded and stick to them.
(Gena Weinberg)
Kirstin Szogas:
1. Although it didn’t really surprize me, what stood out to me the most was the racism that still exists in these countries. According the article, China is exploiting tibet for it’s resources and mistreating it’s people. Everyone that was interviewed for the article had to keep their identity hidden because they are all afraid. I can not personally imagine being driven to set myself on fire but perhaps if i lives in constant fear and oppression I could better understand this choice.
2. The younger generations of Tibetans are resorting to more violent ways of protest, contrary to the beliefs of the older generations and the beliefs of the religion that many of them follow. I believe this may have to do with the suffering they've seen in their lives. The younger generations have only known the chinese to be oppressing and cruel and they are probably tired of waiting. Peaceful protest often takes longer to produce results although it is the ideal kind of protest.
3. I think this demonstrates how filtered our media outlets are. I had very little idea that this was occurring today. I know many people that would be horrified to see things like this happening and there just isnt enough public awareness. If the people of tibet had more support then maybe they could gain the independence they deserve .
1/ This article did a good job of detailing the reasons a Tibetan person would choose to self-immolate. The way they are treated is an astounding injustice, especially considering their peaceful nature. Some of them believe that self-immolation is the best way to send a message to the Chinese government.
2/ I think the younger generations of Tibetans have realized that there is not peaceful solution to this conflict and, China is not going to budge on this issue.
3/ I think that the situation between China and Tibet illustrates the relationship between the conqueror and the conquered. Throughout our history, humans have been in constant struggle for land space, redrawing over and over arbitrary lines on paper.
1. It saddens me that such racism still exists in these countries. I was a bit surprised at the severity of the conflict between China and Tibet. Tibetans feel that they are silenced and the only way they can escape the oppressive Chinese rule is by burning themselves to death. They believe that they must take drastic measures in order to protest.
2. In comparison to Dalai Lama's peaceful beliefs, the younger generation of Tibetans are resorting to more drastic, violent approaches for protest. This is likely because they have grown up in oppression and they don't want future generations to have to suffer as well. They believe that their suffering is being ignored and acts of violence are the most effective solution.
3. I think the situation in Tibet shows the fact that suffering should not be left ignored. Whether its the filtered media or lack of knowledge, many people are unaware of the conflict in Tibet. Awareness and support needs to be raised in order to help Tibet and allow them to regain independence. Many countries who aren't oppressed tend to forget that there are others who have less freedom.
1) The situation in Tibet is very unfortunate-Tibetans feel like prisoners within their own land. One man stated that he feels inferior because he is Tibetan. No one should feel that they are lesser for such a trivial reason. Also, the fact that Tibetans have been pushed to the point of self-immolation in order to be recognized sheds light on their dire situation.
2) The Dalai Lama believes in the middle-way path: an approach in which the Tibetans preserve their culture and the Chinese have integrity of the land. The current generation of Tibetans has begun to discard the middle-way path as "violence grabs the eyeballs."
3) In today's society many countries are going through the same struggle as Tibet, whether it be a nation's discontent with a ruler or corrupt governments that work against its people. Conflict is inevitable, but solutions are possible.
1. I am not surprised this is how China would treat Tibet. China is a major world power and Mao flaunted it as such. It's surprising that China would abuse its power for something as small and peaceful as Tibet, but then again I grew up with a very liberal mindset and I'm sure that if I had been raised in china I would think that it is ok and right to do it. I think that some of the reasons people self immolate is that they are so oppressed and harassed that it's a better solution than to live in fear.
2. I think that since the Dalai Lama grew up and experienced the invasion of Tibet he has a different mindset than the fiery spirited younger generation. He understands the entirety of the situation politically and religiously, while the younger generation just sees China as an oppressive force.
3. Tibet's situation could show to the outer world that just because a small peaceful country that isn't a big global power is being attacked by a big scary nation, we shouldn't abandon it. The Dalai Lama is one of the most respected well known person in the world. Yet, we don't help out his country. Of course the other nations are afraid of a big power like China, but China can only take on so many countries.
1.) What surprised me most about this article is how no one can seem to figure out why the Tibetan monks are performing self-immolation. The discrimination the Tibetans experience from the Chinese and the destruction of their home, religion and culture has left Tibetans angry and they protest the Chinese rule over Tibet through self-immolation. Tibetans are showing that they would rather be burnt alive by their own hand than be controlled and discriminated against by the Chinese.
2.) The Dalai Lama has seen a time of peace with China, the invasion, and the unrest between Tibetans and Chinese. He believes that Tibet can never be fully independent of China but can again live in harmony with China and preserve Tibetan culture. However the young people of Tibet have grown up in the time of unrest between the Tibetans and Chinese and cannot see a life where Tibetans live peacefully among the Chinese.
3.) Tibet is in a state of unrest, the people want independence from China but their religious leader is not there and wants to live peacefully among the Chinese. This difference between the people and their leader will prohibit any form of improvement in Tibet. The leader and their people need to work together to get what they want and not hear through articles what the others objective is.
Julian Wilson -
1)I had heard some about these self-immolations happening before but it was interesting to learn more about the reasons behind them. I think it is so sad that these people feel they don’t have any other option to get the world’s attention for what they’re going through. I was also concerned by how worried the Tibetan people seem to be by the repercussions they may experience from China for any interaction with the press. The article definitely did shed some light on reasons why some Tibetans have chosen to self-immolate. I was surprised by the extent to which they feel ignored and oppressed by China.
2)The different opinions between the Dalai Lama and the younger generation of Tibetans is largely due to the perceived ineffectiveness of the Dalai Lama’s “Middle-Way Policy” which includes Tibet losing independence but retaining autonomy from China. The younger generation of Tibetans has more hostility toward Chinese control of Tibet and wants full independence for Tibet’s future.
3)The situation in Tibet is a model for understanding larger global issues in the early 21st century because it shows how political tension can have major effects. In the case of Tibet, the problems between China and Tibet have exiled Tibet’s leader, caused several self-immolations to occur, and created major unrest in the region. This demonstrates how a lack of understanding and agreement between two countries can have massive repercussions, both on a personal and global level.
1. It was shocking to read about the self-immolations of Tibet. Personally I had not heard about the extreme measures of protest to which some Tibetans are resorting to. It is incredible that something so significant fails to get extensive media attention or coverage. If protesters had lit themselves on fire in the United States I am fairly sure that it would receive an incredible amount of media attention which is why the Tibetan protests being ignored seems very strange to me. It was heartbreaking to see that a man with a family believed that the only way to raise awareness for the inequality of Tibetans in China was by lighting himself on fire. These self-immolations are extreme acts of desperation and truly show how strongly some Tibetans feel about their experience with Chinese rule. I believe the article shows that some Tibetans resort to self-immolations because they feel that their culture and beliefs are being destroyed and that no one is doing anything to help them. The harsh Chinese crackdowns in Tibetan villages serve as proof of the hard living conditions in which the Tibetans find themselves. The Tibetan people have to deal with racism and unequal opportunities in a Chinese society and thus this must lead to feelings of hopelessness and powerlessness. This article helped me to better understand the present situation that Tibetans are in and to see why some individuals of this society have been forced to commit suicide as their only means of protesting and raising awareness.
2. The Dalai Lama believes that one day Tibet and China can form a peaceful relationship. I believe that the younger generation of Tibetans is leaning towards violence regarding the relationship between China and Tibet. These young individuals have witnessed the cruelty of the Chinese towards them and therefore must be convinced that nonviolent tactics will be useless or powerless against the oppression they are currently experiencing. The young Tibetans have only witnessed the instability and violence between China and Tibet and thus only perceive the relationship between the two with hostility and anger.
3. The situation in Tibet proves to show how political tensions should not be ignored in society. These tensions can only worsen and deepen when the problems are not acknowledged by an unbiased third party. The suffering of individuals should be documented and recognized by the media. Self-immolations should not be the only form of protest that gains attention in our society due to its drastic and violent nature. The relationship between Tibet and China shows how a lack of respect for different cultures and human rights can lead to unrest, violence, and tensions.
Carly Narotsky:
1. What stood out to me most is the fact that so many Tibetans, “more than 120 in the past three years,” have resorted to self-immolation, presumably because they feel the shock factor is the only thing left that might succeed in achieving freedom from Chinese oppression. Maybe they are even hoping these extreme acts of protest will catch the attention of foreign powers who might intervene. They caught the attention of the BBC, but even in the title of the article are the words “world looks away.” The article also said that Tibetans are frustrated that Western countries “are not so keen to tackle China on its human rights record” because they value and rely on China so much as an economic power. That bit made me cringe although it doesn’t surprise me that the US’ economic ties to China are a higher priority than the human rights of Tibetans. Then again, I realize the US can’t police the whole world. Still, it saddens me to think that these Tibetans’ cries for help are going unanswered.
2. The Dalai Lama stands by his policy of non-violence and believes that patience will win in the long-run, but many Tibetans have been growing frustrated with the slow pace and believe that violence is the way to accelerate change.
3. The Tibetan conflict reminds me of Imperialism, and a current example of that is the Israel/Palestine conflict. In both conflicts, a region and its ethnically indigenous people are being ruled over by an unwelcome government, leading to violent uprisings that have been breaking out in the decades since World War II. I don’t think this comparison points to any solutions as the Israeli conflict appears intractable, but the parallel may help people who are invested in one of the conflicts understand the other by recognizing that both conflicts are a matter of human rights.
1) The situation facing Tibet is evidently a very bleak one which offers limited chances for self improvement and a better quality of life for Tibetans. I was utterly unsurprising by anything this article said, it seems to simply rehash that the welfare of Tibet doesn't seem worth its cost to western nations, and that China's treatment of its own citizens is deplorable. I see very clearly how Tibetans feel stuck in a cycle of doom and gloom. Their best prospects as human beings are limited to sub par conditions. Self immolation must therefor seem like a viable option. If there's no way to improve your condition, I believe a death in protest is likely anyone's best bet.
2) I think differing opinions between the Dalai Lama and the younger generation of Tibetans likely stems from entirely different subjugating circumstances. The Dalai Lama isn't in Tibet and therefor lacks first hand context for a lot of the hope-breaking cruelty people of his nation have faced. I think younger Tibetans have a fractured will as is common amongst colonized nations. They see no way out of the situation because young Tibetans themselves are part of the larger colonized people. The Dalai Lama however remains outside of China's dominion ship, and is thus able to better conceptualize the bigger picture: that China's reign is temporal and only through abandoning their will to rebel do Tibetan's truly loose their voice in the hierarchy.
3) I'd say it's evident that colonization and repression are in no way antiquated modes of gaining national power. If the situation in Tibet is to be used as a model for the larger global issues of the world today, then it's clear that people will continue to colonize and subjugate one another until it stops being profitable.This feeds into a system of global economy that places hard working and repressed people on the bottom of the socio-economic totem pole. If this is to continue, than the old mantra rings true that "the rich get richer" and the poor are kept voiceless and crude.
1)Something that really surprised me was the fact that journalist are being kept out of Tibetan areas just so they don't let the world know of what really is going on in TIbet. It is so bad that the government is mostlikely scared of what other countries may do to help. I think that if people would oay atention to what is going in Tibet then they would help.
2) The young TIbetans are now trying to make justice for their families. They have seen their family suffer that naw theynare tired and they have now leaved their peaceful ways, encoraging violence. I believe that Tibetans will soon get tired of the unfair way they are treated and fight for their rights.
4) I think it really illustrates how the government always want to hide the horrible, bad acts that they do. The situation in Tibet shows us that we should not ignore it, because it can only get worst. Self imolations have already gone too far and we can't let it go any farther. It hurts to know that the only solution that Tibetans seem to find to get attention is by burning themself to death. Their believes are so strong that they look at it as sometjing good to do. I dont think that peoole should keeo ignoring this,
1) Before reading this article I knew that this form of protest was existent, but I didn't realize it had gone to the lengths that it is now in Tibet. Self immolation, I feel, is one of the most extreme things one can do to draw attention. It seems somewhat selfish, at face value, to light yourself on fire to gain attention. Like, look at me and how committed I am.. but to what? For me it took reading the article to realize that this is not a simple protest, but its how the Tibetan people attempt to parallel the oppression they feel with equally powerful protest.
2) The young people who are taking control of the riots and rebellions were not around during the Chinese invasion and sequential political turmoil. Their actions now reflect their knowledge of the situation; the Chinese are an oppressive force with little to no motive. The Dalai Lama however, who was a part of the political discussion in the fifties understands the magnitude of the situation. And of course, keeping with Buddhist teachings, is attempting to find a peaceful resolution to the dispute between Tibet and China.
3) The Tibetan-Chinese conflict is similar to other situations in the world today, where the older, more traditional culture is being ruled by a more modern and powerful central government. My say means nothing, but I would love to see Tibet become its own country. I think there is plenty of motivation and desire, by the people of Tibet and Dalai Lama, but if they could channel that together, positively, I think the UN and other nations would be willing to help facilitate negotiations with China.
Burhan Bustillos:
1)What stood out is the oppression occurring in Tibet is so strong that Tibetans go to such drastic measures. I was surprised by the measures that the Tibetans go to. They self immolate them selves to show a message. I did see their reason even though it might work I think they should try other solutions, because I think suicide is not the answer.
2) Some young people have started riots, that has lead to violence. I think Tibet should stay to the Buddhist believes and have peaceful, non-violence relationship with China and resolve the issue with China.
3)This shows that even though we have more laws for human rights, we still have problems in the world like Tibetans not being to practice freedom of speech. Viewed as a simple practice in America is a practice that Tibetans kill themselves for.
1. I'm really curious to why Tibet is so private into their lives, when they keep talking about how rest of the world isn't caring, when they won't even caring. It confused me, but I thought after a while that if I were being recorded for everything I'm saying, I'd be shy and too depressed of what my country has gone through. Self-immolation is the scariest part. Seeing people I may know trying to kill themselves with fire is chaotic. In my opinion, if the Tibetans want to make a stand, suicide is not the answer. I believe death isn't worth anything, if other people are on the same boat as you, isn't it best to do some well worthy change? It weakens the country and people as a whole, if people feel there's no hope anymore. As I read this article, I can not imagine myself there, especially growing up like that. In school, we focus on past events that arise to present day, but we don't look at any major events unless it is happening to our country.
2. The younger generation of Tibetans will live in this turmoil for the beginning of their lives, but if they keep trying to help this country, it may conclude to a brighter future. Still, self-immolation isn't exactly a helpful protest, but it will grab peoples' attention. They only hear from their elders of what Tibetan was without the Chinese force. Dalai Lama, of course has seen a more peaceful view of Tibet, since he has seen it before.
3. This situation impacts the whole country as a whole, and we don't realize it. If more countries are quietly disappearing, eventually the world is going to fight over power with each other. It's very influential how the young generation is dealing with it positively. I hope this helps Tibet go back to the way it was, and China will eventually stop overpowering and listen to the Tibetans.
1. What stood out to me in the article is how hopeless the Tibetans must feel. Like they said, other nations do not cut in to help because they don't want to lose access to China's market gains. These self immolations to me look like helpless cries for help. I am surprised at how hopeless the situation looks over there. I did not think it was as bad as it is.
2. Though it is hard to stay peaceful with the oppression that China is putting on Tibet, I think the younger Tibetans who grew up in the middle of this oppression should follow the Dalai Lama who thinks peace is the answer. Some day China will realize Tibet's independence. Protest and self-immolations are just angering the Chinese and making the situation much worse.
3. THis situations has much to do with the issue of colonization. Great Britain used to be a huge colonizer but is now much cooler about it with their commonwealths, helping those countries become modern and getting on their feet. This colonization needs to stop in Tibet and China should just lay off yo. The 21st century isn't about colonization of smaller and weaker countries.
1. The main thing that stood out to me is the fact that Chinese surveillance in Tibet is still getting stricter. This is so significant to me because the Chinese have been in Tibetan lands for over 50 years now and they are still using violence and intimidation in order to maintain authority. I think it is very surprising that no foreign countries will lend Tibet a hand due to China's economic power. I was also surprised that the Chinese accused the Dalai Lama of paying people to burn themselves alive. This is extremely insulting and it leaves Tibetans with no hope. Desperation is definitely a main reason for the multiple cases of self-immolation. The Chinese have oppressed the Tibetans (no opportunity) and damaged the Tibetan environment.
2. The opinions of the Dalai Lama and the younger Tibetan generation differ for many reasons. The Dalai Lama has been known to be a completely peaceful individual with no intentions of physical conflict. The Dalai Lama is aware of how outnumbered they are by the Chinese. The younger generation has participated in self-immolations because they have experienced the oppression first-hand. Citizen's family members have been arrested by the Chinese and never been seen again. The fear and pressure of being silenced is intense enough to make a person kill themselves in order to express their pain. The Dalai Lama must always keep a goal of equality and liberation as the leader of a struggling country.
3. This saddening situation is a perfect example of a giant nation taking advantage of a dwindling nation because of greed. Other countries should follow the basic good morals of protecting a peaceful group of caring people even if it means sacrificing certain economic connections. It is the same thing as standing up to a bully. I think a global intervention would be a good idea.
Post a Comment