| 2008, We are all losers? |
contact: peaceintibet@gmail.com
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In Ancient Greece, a truce (εκεχειρία, which literally means "holding of hands")
was announced before and during each of the Olympic festivals, to allow visitors
to travel safely to Olympia.
However, today's Olympic games become more and more an opportunity to
escalate conflicts in order to attract attention. In Tibet, organized riots killed
dozens of ordinary people and ruined the life of thousands (link) . Then
unprofessional journalism used false photos to agitate boycott. (link). Finally,
activists jumped into the torch relay parade, tried to grab the torch and forced the
torch to extinguish.(link) Can all the Free Tibet supporters in Europe and North
America celebrate their victory now, because they have raised their cause to the
spotlight and overshadowed the original Olympic festival?
was announced before and during each of the Olympic festivals, to allow visitors
to travel safely to Olympia.
However, today's Olympic games become more and more an opportunity to
escalate conflicts in order to attract attention. In Tibet, organized riots killed
dozens of ordinary people and ruined the life of thousands (link) . Then
unprofessional journalism used false photos to agitate boycott. (link). Finally,
activists jumped into the torch relay parade, tried to grab the torch and forced the
torch to extinguish.(link) Can all the Free Tibet supporters in Europe and North
America celebrate their victory now, because they have raised their cause to the
spotlight and overshadowed the original Olympic festival?
No winner, we are all losers! The whole world lost a great chance to enhance communication and friendship.
The old scar between Han Chinese and Tibetans is torn out again with more blood, the dialogue between
Chinese government and Dalai Lama becomes a more remote possibility, the loosening media control in China
may be re-tightened, the misunderstanding between the Westerners and Chinese is deepening, the humiliation
and anger may fertilize offensive nationalism in the rising super power. If no miracle appears, our children may
remember the 2008 Olympics as the source of numerous long-lasting conflicts.
It is so sad to see this conflict grows gradually beyond control. It has by far exceeded the real Tibet problem.
None of the protests really cares about the benefits of Tibetan people, since they only lead to hatred and more
stringent policy in Tibet. They even do not care about Dalai Lama, whose non-violence, non-independence and
non-boycott appeals are submerged by frenzy and fanaticism.
However, we still have 120 days to go until the opening. Miracles may come true. If we can promote rational
discussion instead of partial agitation, if we can create a friendly atmosphere for dialogues instead of making it
more unlikely by hostility, if we can pay more attention to the real life of Tibet instead of empty slogans, if we
can simply let the Olympic torch spread all over the world and appreciate the moment of peace, we may be
remembered by our children as the constructors of a peaceful world.
Webmaster, April. 08, 2008, In New York
The old scar between Han Chinese and Tibetans is torn out again with more blood, the dialogue between
Chinese government and Dalai Lama becomes a more remote possibility, the loosening media control in China
may be re-tightened, the misunderstanding between the Westerners and Chinese is deepening, the humiliation
and anger may fertilize offensive nationalism in the rising super power. If no miracle appears, our children may
remember the 2008 Olympics as the source of numerous long-lasting conflicts.
It is so sad to see this conflict grows gradually beyond control. It has by far exceeded the real Tibet problem.
None of the protests really cares about the benefits of Tibetan people, since they only lead to hatred and more
stringent policy in Tibet. They even do not care about Dalai Lama, whose non-violence, non-independence and
non-boycott appeals are submerged by frenzy and fanaticism.
However, we still have 120 days to go until the opening. Miracles may come true. If we can promote rational
discussion instead of partial agitation, if we can create a friendly atmosphere for dialogues instead of making it
more unlikely by hostility, if we can pay more attention to the real life of Tibet instead of empty slogans, if we
can simply let the Olympic torch spread all over the world and appreciate the moment of peace, we may be
remembered by our children as the constructors of a peaceful world.
Webmaster, April. 08, 2008, In New York
Olympic torch extinguished,
does it help anything?
does it help anything?
