The history of Tibet and China goes a long way back but to get to the point that seems to upset many people, China invaded Tibet on October 7, 1950. Tibetans called it invasion but the Chinese called it liberation. This is where HIStory could be HERstory.
Okay, what about the Olympics? Pierre Frédy, Baron de Coubertin, a French nobleman who revived the modern Olympics with its famous creed:
Okay, what about the Olympics? Pierre Frédy, Baron de Coubertin, a French nobleman who revived the modern Olympics with its famous creed:
The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well
Tibetans and its supporters alike must have embraced the creed well as can be viewed on CNN and other new channel. They are taking part in demonstration against the torch relay - they were struggling with the police force as they tried to grab the torch and I have to say that they fought well. World leaders, mainly from Europe and famous celebrities are also jumping on the bandwagon and demanding China do something about their human rights records (Tibet and Darfur) and resolve spiraling pollution crisis in China.
I just got two questions to ask: what is the real impact for world leaders to boycott the opening of Olympics with respect to China to improve their human rights records? Doesn't anyone remember the phrase that Rome was not built in one day?
So if world leaders want to make a difference, please arrange for a proper dialogue sessions with Chinese leaders to show that they are really serious in helping China improve their human rights record and reduce pollution. Otherwise, do something drastic such as imposing economic sanctions (boycott Chinese products) on China. Boycotting the Olympic opening ceremony with its slogan 'One World One Dream' does not make much sense!! How long did it take America to abolish slavery? How long did it take Russia to bring down the communist curtain?
And if people want to make a difference, please feel free to protest and voice out concerns peacefully but disrupting the torch run is just plain nuisance!! For those who are ignorant, the current Dalai Lama has always supported Beijing's hosting of the Olympic and he insists that the torch run should complete its route around the world peacefully. Please take note that he is demanding China to give Tibet greater autonomy and allow them to preserve their culture. There are bigger issues surrounding us that no one seem to take note such as Iraq and Afghanistan occupation; Guantanamo Bay; Israel -Palestine conflict; one in six countries faces food shortages; Greenland's ice is thinning at alarming pace; weather around the world has gone haywire; one in five person in the world has no easy access to safe drinking water and many more.
China has made many positive changes since Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. Its reform and opening up policy have provided tremendous wealth to its citizen and also contributed to the world development. I am not saying that their human rights record is impeccable now but Chinese leaders have made earnest efforts to rid malpractices in human rights field. China has 1.4 billion people and like a huge oil tanker, it will take a lot of effort and time for them to change direction. China is slowly moving in the right direction towards meeting international level expectation. I am not so sure about the direction of USA is heading in terms of its human rights record as many people are questioning US treatment of captured non citizens, the legality of Iraq war and allege violations of national sovereignty. So it is time for all of us to free our minds from pre-conception that the media is currently generating. My suggestion is to watch Al-Jazeera International after watching CNN, read Malaysiakini after reading The Star; eat mangosteen after eating durian but most importantly, use our brain and think first before making judgment. Tibet has gotten great exposure of the ill treatment it receives from China. I suggest that everyone should concentrate on the real issue (dialogue sessions with China on Tibet and while we are at it, have dialogue sessions with US to tell them that not all Muslims are terrorists) and leave the Olympics to professional athletes to battle it out.
I just got two questions to ask: what is the real impact for world leaders to boycott the opening of Olympics with respect to China to improve their human rights records? Doesn't anyone remember the phrase that Rome was not built in one day?So if world leaders want to make a difference, please arrange for a proper dialogue sessions with Chinese leaders to show that they are really serious in helping China improve their human rights record and reduce pollution. Otherwise, do something drastic such as imposing economic sanctions (boycott Chinese products) on China. Boycotting the Olympic opening ceremony with its slogan 'One World One Dream' does not make much sense!! How long did it take America to abolish slavery? How long did it take Russia to bring down the communist curtain?
And if people want to make a difference, please feel free to protest and voice out concerns peacefully but disrupting the torch run is just plain nuisance!! For those who are ignorant, the current Dalai Lama has always supported Beijing's hosting of the Olympic and he insists that the torch run should complete its route around the world peacefully. Please take note that he is demanding China to give Tibet greater autonomy and allow them to preserve their culture. There are bigger issues surrounding us that no one seem to take note such as Iraq and Afghanistan occupation; Guantanamo Bay; Israel -Palestine conflict; one in six countries faces food shortages; Greenland's ice is thinning at alarming pace; weather around the world has gone haywire; one in five person in the world has no easy access to safe drinking water and many more.
China has made many positive changes since Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. Its reform and opening up policy have provided tremendous wealth to its citizen and also contributed to the world development. I am not saying that their human rights record is impeccable now but Chinese leaders have made earnest efforts to rid malpractices in human rights field. China has 1.4 billion people and like a huge oil tanker, it will take a lot of effort and time for them to change direction. China is slowly moving in the right direction towards meeting international level expectation. I am not so sure about the direction of USA is heading in terms of its human rights record as many people are questioning US treatment of captured non citizens, the legality of Iraq war and allege violations of national sovereignty. So it is time for all of us to free our minds from pre-conception that the media is currently generating. My suggestion is to watch Al-Jazeera International after watching CNN, read Malaysiakini after reading The Star; eat mangosteen after eating durian but most importantly, use our brain and think first before making judgment. Tibet has gotten great exposure of the ill treatment it receives from China. I suggest that everyone should concentrate on the real issue (dialogue sessions with China on Tibet and while we are at it, have dialogue sessions with US to tell them that not all Muslims are terrorists) and leave the Olympics to professional athletes to battle it out.
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