Branching out
Periodical demonstrations, press releases and memoranda are the stuff which have sustained Tibetan political life for the last 25 years. These say still keep us in the inside and back pages of newspapers for may more years. But, after a while, it can also become a bit of a drag for all concerned. True, we are in no position to be able to do much more ‘politically’. However, this need not deter us from exploring other—non-political—avenues where Tibetans can make their presence felt.
It is in this light that the recent collaboration between Tibetan and Thai Buddhists in a project for conservation of wildlife and natural resources should be seen as a laudable effort. Everybody agrees that conservation is an important work, ever it. Various campaigns for conservation are at work in many countries. If because of the Tibetan contribution this work can be speeded up and more people made aware of it, then surely this will also have the effect of bringing Tibetans into increased prominence. Demonstrating that you are a capable, decent people is much more effective than simply claiming to be so.
We cannot wage war against China; nor can we seriously ask another country to become actively involved in our struggle. What we can do is try to make a name for ourselves by emerging out of our shell and taking part in endeavours designed to help the entire world, not just ourselves. Thus Tibetans can make forays into the fields of the arts, sciences, literature, entertainment, and even sports of business. Of course we cannot immediately hope to be accepted as equals by other similarly engaged. However, it is not too early to attempt a beginning towards this end. Once our people have established themselves—like, for example, the Jews—as valuable members of the world communities, no amount of force can prevent us from being recognised as a separate race and rightful owners of our own homeland. And that is something we cannot see being achieved by demonstration and other political activities alone.
Periodical demonstrations, press releases and memoranda are the stuff which have sustained Tibetan political life for the last 25 years. These say still keep us in the inside and back pages of newspapers for may more years. But, after a while, it can also become a bit of a drag for all concerned. True, we are in no position to be able to do much more ‘politically’. However, this need not deter us from exploring other—non-political—avenues where Tibetans can make their presence felt.
It is in this light that the recent collaboration between Tibetan and Thai Buddhists in a project for conservation of wildlife and natural resources should be seen as a laudable effort. Everybody agrees that conservation is an important work, ever it. Various campaigns for conservation are at work in many countries. If because of the Tibetan contribution this work can be speeded up and more people made aware of it, then surely this will also have the effect of bringing Tibetans into increased prominence. Demonstrating that you are a capable, decent people is much more effective than simply claiming to be so.
We cannot wage war against China; nor can we seriously ask another country to become actively involved in our struggle. What we can do is try to make a name for ourselves by emerging out of our shell and taking part in endeavours designed to help the entire world, not just ourselves. Thus Tibetans can make forays into the fields of the arts, sciences, literature, entertainment, and even sports of business. Of course we cannot immediately hope to be accepted as equals by other similarly engaged. However, it is not too early to attempt a beginning towards this end. Once our people have established themselves—like, for example, the Jews—as valuable members of the world communities, no amount of force can prevent us from being recognised as a separate race and rightful owners of our own homeland. And that is something we cannot see being achieved by demonstration and other political activities alone.
posted by editorla at
9:23 PM
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