Tibet
was essentially an independent or fully autonomous state until Chinese
Maoist forces invaded in 1959. In an effort to control Tibet, the
communists destroyed hundreds of Tibetan Bhuddist monasteries until
only a handful remain today. The monasteries were and continue to
serve as the heart of Tibetan culture and art. Tibet's spiritual leader
to this day, the Dalai Lama was forced to flee in 1959. He heads
the Tibetan government in exile just across the border in India, living
amongst over 100,000 Tibetan exiles.
Tibetans continue
to ask the Chinese government for bonafide autonomy, where they would
have at least real internal control over their own affairs. Han
Chinese efforts to flood Tibet with new Chinese settlers, especially in
the capital Lhasa, must cease. The Chinese government should open
a frank dialog with the Dalai Lama with the goal of allowing him to
return to Lhasa and either lead a free Tibetan autonomous region, or
possibly a free and independent country. This new geographic
entity should unite all Tibetan regions within one state.
A
picture can say more than a thousand words. Bodypainting and
political dissent have a long tradition together. Further, the
illustration below reveals the story behind the misguided Han Chinese
strategy of dividing and conquering the ancient culture and distinct
language of Tibet.
-- Carl Flick, Flick Photographic |
