Cheap crap, or a better world

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Tibet Your Bottom Dollar

By Alex Nikolic - 2008/3/19
Columnist of the westcoaster
http://www.westcoaster.ca/modules/AMS/article.php?storyid=3895


Last week marked the first visit by a delegation from the Chinese
consulate to the West Coast. They were greeted with open arms in all
communities. This welcome is purely economically motivated and ignores
any social or environmental issues.
Last week, Tibetan monks took to the streets in peaceful protest to
mark the 49th anniversary of the first Tibetan uprising against
Chinese occupation. Since then, dozens of demonstrators have been
killed in the streets of Lhasa, and hundreds have been imprisoned and
tortured. Meanwhile, the world sits by quietly, shaking their heads at
the violence and turmoil. After all, what can we do?
Much like the Israeli occupation of Palestine, Chinese authorities
actively encourage Han settlement of Tibet. Tax breaks are offered to
any Chinese willing to move to Tibet and set up shop. During the
Cultural Revolution, Chinese troops razed many Tibetan monasteries and
murdered many monks. Since then, the cultural genocide has been more
subtle, but no less effective. Much like the anti-aboriginal policies
of Canadian residential schools, Tibetan school children are taught in
Mandarin in an effort to supplant the Tibetan language.
Until recently, access to Tibet was limited to expensive air travel or
uncomfortable and lengthy bus rides. Now, with the completion of a
railway linking Golmud to Lhasa, the journey over the Himalayas can be
done quickly, conveniently and cheaply. This has brought on a new wave
of Chinese migration to the Tibetan Plateau that further threatens the
existing culture.
Yet, Tibetans are not the only people suffering at the hands of
Chinese political oppression. Many journalists, students, academics
and other dissidents have also been banished to the work-camps of the
Chinese gulag. Additionally, workers-rights are virtually non-existent
in the booming Chinese economy, leaving most labourers living from
paycheque to paycheque, if they even get one.
Anyone who thinks the West is hooked on fossil fuels should visit
China. The greenhouse gases emitted by its ravenous economy's
consumption of coal and oil are having a profound impact on the
climate of the entire planet. On top of the industrial pollution,
there are presently close to 60 million civilian vehicles in China.
Some may say that criticizing China's treatment of its minority
populations is hypocritical when we consider the West's treatment of
its First Nations, and to clean up our backyard before complaining
about our neighbour's. It's a valid point.
However, Canada is currently in the process of settling native land
claims and treaty negotiations, and has also reimbursed (financially)
victims of its residential school atrocities. Australia has even
formally apologized to its aboriginal population for its "Stolen
Generations." I don't see China doing anything vaguely resembling a
settlement or apology.
As a result of the recent Tibetan protests, many are calling for the
boycott of the Beijing Olympics later this year. Conversely, many
point out that a boycott would be politicizing something that is
essentially a sporting event and would deny athletes the rare
opportunity to showcase their talents on an international stage. It
would be naïve to think the Olympics are anything other than
politically or economically motivated.
Nonetheless, if the West can rationalize boycotting the Moscow
Olympics in 1980 after Russia invaded Afghanistan, why can't it do the
same when China invades Tibet? Could the threat of an Olympic boycott
encourage China to improve its human-rights and environmental track
record? Probably not.
So, what can we do? A lot, actually. It all depends on how much of a
sacrifice we are willing to make for the sake of an oppressed people
and a vanishing culture. An economic boycott would send a longer-
lasting message than an Olympic boycott. Realistically, in this day
and age, it is impossible to completely avoid purchasing goods made in
China. But, we can minimize it. Shop locally, think globally.
Unfortunately, it is unlikely that anyone who chooses to support
products manufactured on the back of human-rights abuses in Chinese
sweatshops will curb their consumer decisions to help the people of
Tibet. The choice seems simple: Cheap crap, or a better world.

more news on tibet, the olympics, dailai lama and china:
http://news.google.com/news?tab=wn&hl=en&ned=us&q=china+tibet+olympics+dalai+lama&btnG=Search