More Tibetan Riots

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/04/29/china.tibet/index.html

More Riots in Tibet

We just finished reading about Chinese history and Chinese culture where we learned that the guiding belief in China is the notion that a unified China is considered a necessary step towards achieving true power. If a divided China is deemed weak, then the occupation of Tibet is in synch with their desire for unity. The goal of unity feels heavy-handed to outside observers. I would suggest that the heavy-handed tenor feels oppressive because we draw parallels to Tibet with occupations that have redefined our own western world. Where the sprawling Roman Empire sought to expand, their push for power recognized the unique cultural components that defined the areas that fell under Roman rule. Rome’s respect for unique cultures is what allowed their empire to explode across Europe.

China’s notion of assimilation is problematic because it denies cultural identity. This is a huge divide that creates a great deal of dissent. If China allowed Tibet to be “Tibetan” respecting the culture and the peoples, the occupation of Tibet would not be so turbulent. China’s assimilationist notion of squashing unique Tibetan culture, along with attacks on spirituality have escalated the issue into a holy war. In the recent riots, Tibetan Buddhists led a protest that erupted into violence. Eighteen people and one police officer were killed. The monks led ten people (including five monks) to destroy government offices, rob businesses and commit arson.

Meanwhile, those responsible continue to protest that many more (than the 19 people killed) were killed as a result of Chinese-inspired violence against Tibetans. Because China has used force, and even murder, to achieve their goals, those in Tibet feel justified to respond with deadly force.

Violence begets violence. This little lesson continues to escape Chinese authoritarianism. Violence is a last resort. The riots in Tibet are yet one more of many voices that howl the message loud and clear – China's leadership is fraternity of megalamaniacal yokels who spewer out a collection of haphazard policies and rhetoric that continues to fail miserably. One of the key goals of any bureaucracy is to listen to the people. Bureaucracies that are deaf to the commonwealth can count on the voices of the commonwealth growing louder. Voices turn into howls. Howls turn into protests. Protests turn into riots. And riots sometimes escalates into bloody revolt and revolution.

China - wake up and listen to what your people are saying! Wake up and listen to what the world is saying! Wake up and LISTEN. Discourse is preferable to blood. Great progress can be made and nobody has to die along the way. Flex those muscles till the veins pop out. Brute force is not power. It is not greatness. It is weakness and ignorance and weak willed politicians who lack the strength of character to do what is best for China.

While China is leafing through history and hanging their hat on archaic cosmology, they should stop and ask themselves why the Qing Dynasty failed in 1911. The PRC is making many of the same mistakes. The more disconnected they become from the wants and needs of their people (even those in Tibet), the more fuel they pour into the hearts and souls of the commonwealth. All it takes is one charismatic leader and the whole regime will come crashing down. Mao Zedong was wrong. Political power does NOT grow out of the barrel of a gun. Political power grows from respect. If the bureaucracy respects their people and listens to the voice of their own, they will earn their absolute respect, trust and loyalty.