The justness of a cause
Sometimes the pity and sympathy directed towards Tibetan exiles seem to be misplaced. They are the lucky ones. They live in freedom, with reasonable amount of choice as to how they spend the rest of their lives. True, many of them had to leave their valuables behind, but in a large number of such cases, it probably served them right. Moreover, with what they could bring out, they were still better off than the masses. The only difference they experienced over the years is that an increasing proportion of the latter have begun to compete with them in terms of wealth and social status. Aided by various governmental and voluntary organisations, the Tibetan refugees, on the whole have done remarkably well for themselves.
Outsiders also realize this fact, but they tend to view it with the wrong perspective. When Tibetans in exile demand freedom for Tibet, they are often asked whether they will return home if freedom is granted. Seeing their apparent affluence and adaptibility it is felt that they are doing better here than they probably would back in Tibet. It is quite certain that most of the Tibetans exiles would want to go to a free Tibet, if only see how they get on there before deciding whether to set up permanent residence. But this is not the important point.
Even if none of the Tibetans desire to return home it does not make any difference. The struggle for the freedom of Tibet will remain a just cause since it is waged for the sake of the majority of Tibetans who are trapped in their own former homes. Rescuing them from this misery is what the Tibetan struggle for independence is all about. Tibetan exils continue to spearhead this movement because they are more familiar with the actual situation in Tibet than anyone else. They have their friends and relatives among that unfortunate lot and for whom they naturally feel more than a little concern.
It should be kept in mind that the Tibetan cause will remain just even if the exiles don’t feel particular concern for their compatriots. The Chinese have no right to be in Tibet—let alone as rulers. Tibetan both in and out of Tibet have every right to resent this unlawful intrusion. There is no way they should be allowed to get away with this. And since the Tibetans in Tibet helpless prisoners, it is the inescapable duty of those in exile to keep on fighting for this cause and attracting world sympathy—not for themselves, but for the ones who are left behind, and for what was once a free nation.
Sometimes the pity and sympathy directed towards Tibetan exiles seem to be misplaced. They are the lucky ones. They live in freedom, with reasonable amount of choice as to how they spend the rest of their lives. True, many of them had to leave their valuables behind, but in a large number of such cases, it probably served them right. Moreover, with what they could bring out, they were still better off than the masses. The only difference they experienced over the years is that an increasing proportion of the latter have begun to compete with them in terms of wealth and social status. Aided by various governmental and voluntary organisations, the Tibetan refugees, on the whole have done remarkably well for themselves.
Outsiders also realize this fact, but they tend to view it with the wrong perspective. When Tibetans in exile demand freedom for Tibet, they are often asked whether they will return home if freedom is granted. Seeing their apparent affluence and adaptibility it is felt that they are doing better here than they probably would back in Tibet. It is quite certain that most of the Tibetans exiles would want to go to a free Tibet, if only see how they get on there before deciding whether to set up permanent residence. But this is not the important point.
Even if none of the Tibetans desire to return home it does not make any difference. The struggle for the freedom of Tibet will remain a just cause since it is waged for the sake of the majority of Tibetans who are trapped in their own former homes. Rescuing them from this misery is what the Tibetan struggle for independence is all about. Tibetan exils continue to spearhead this movement because they are more familiar with the actual situation in Tibet than anyone else. They have their friends and relatives among that unfortunate lot and for whom they naturally feel more than a little concern.
It should be kept in mind that the Tibetan cause will remain just even if the exiles don’t feel particular concern for their compatriots. The Chinese have no right to be in Tibet—let alone as rulers. Tibetan both in and out of Tibet have every right to resent this unlawful intrusion. There is no way they should be allowed to get away with this. And since the Tibetans in Tibet helpless prisoners, it is the inescapable duty of those in exile to keep on fighting for this cause and attracting world sympathy—not for themselves, but for the ones who are left behind, and for what was once a free nation.
posted by editorla at
9:17 PM
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