While many people are celebrating the beginning of the Olympics today, my mind is firmly and gently focused on the events of the past that are interwoven parts of today's historical tapestry. While people are trying to wrestle with their consciences about watching or supporting the activities this year, I am trying to research and take more active steps toward passive activism for the communities affected.
What the hell am I talking about?
20 years ago there was this numerical history in the uprising in Burma. See 08/08/1988
Also, I have conflicted opinions about supporting a gathering meant to expand and celebrate the world coming together in the name of peace and sporting competition, celebrating differences and accepting each other. My conflict? It's being held in a land notorious for human rights violations. The continued oppression and attacks on Tibet being one of my biggest issues. Now i see news reports all over about how the Chinese government are denying and revoking the travel Visas for athletes who show any type of Pro-Tibetan or political opinion. Most recently, Speed skater Cheeky was denied his travel only days before he was to leave. The government has been quoted as saying that any type of demonstration of political views or protests would not be permitted and the people involved would be detained, prosecuted, or otherwise dealt with. Such a negative and ominous message is so disturbing. Also disturbing was the response of US President Bush when asked to address the issue with the Chinese government when he was there. He said something to the effect that he did not feel it was his duty to address these issues, and that he had made his opinions on human rights clear in our own country. how are we, as a country, supposed to be taken seriously as defenders of human rights when we war with some to "defend their human rights" and ignore some others' cries for help?
I'm just confused, I guess. I'm also at a loss about how to meditate on these issues when they make it so hard to focus - when things are so convoluted?
Just a few thoughts, IMHO.
3 comments:
Maybe the US needs to sort out its own stance on human rights first.
How many people in Iraq were denied the right to live since the conflict began? Probably a heck of a lot more than before the conflict. Oh wait, we don't know because we don't keep track of how many of the other guys die.
How about in our own country? Health care? I think at least China has some sort of socialized health care system in place.
The Tibetans are not suffering any more than the Hawaiians are... oh wait, pretty much all the real Hawaiians are dead by now.
If only the Hawaiians had some sort of holy spiritual figurehead that everyone loved to speak for them.
Sophia -
I completely agree that the US is lacking in the biggest way in many of the same areas. I am not comparing the 2 countries. I don't know enough all-around information to do so intellegently. My contention on this issue isn't "Hey, we're a great country and I am anti-China, Pro-USA Grrrr!" Heck, even if the games were held in the US right now, I'd be having many of the same issues. I have the same stance on it as I do the war, in some ways. I don't support the war, but I suuport the people fighting in it. I don't suuport the games where they are and how little they reflect the unity they are supposed to, but I do support the people who trained so hard to get to the level they needed to participate in them.
As for the suffering of the Tibetans - I know about it because I am a practicing Buddhist. I am not Hawaiian, and I do not pretend to know the issues you are speaking about, so I can't comment on that. Personally - I agree that the Dalai Lama is incredibly adorable. I would squinch his cheeks if I could. His perseverence in getting his message out is what makes him such a strong spiritual leader. I think there are a lot of oppressed people in this world who wish they could have the influence of this chubby cheeked man; however this influence isn't something that he takes lightly and it is not all centered around the issues of Tibet. He has taken the matter to involve all beings. His cause is human. So, in some respect, I think he is a figurehead for everyone who is in need.
Again, just my opinions, and I'd love if you directed me to some info about the Hawaiians and your culture there, as I love learning.
Right - just kind of agreeing with the whole "US is confused about human rights" thing. So really, Pres. Bush is in no position to try to push the issue with China.
As for the Hawaiians - long story short, the Hawaiians were simply robbed of their nation (as in, not by military coup or anything, but politically robbed). The fact that their numbers were decimated by the unchecked disease brought by the newcomers made it that much easier for the US to basically say, "Oops, we messed up, but there's no way we are going to give you back your nation"
Some links to some books:
America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq by Stephen Kinzer
Aloha Betrayed by Noenoe Silva
And the Blount Report, official US govt document that recognized the illegality of the US overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii
Realistically though, you face major problems when you try to give nations back to the descendants of the original peoples infringed upon. Who are these people? Will the place be better or worse off? How many ways (politically, economically, militarily, etc.) would we be negatively affected if we did this? Is it even a good idea to try to right this supposed wrong? Wouldn't it be better to not talk about it and hope it goes away?
Stuff like that.
Humans are pretty complicated.
=(
History too.
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