I SUPPORT FREE TIBET

My interaction with the Tibetan cause began five years ago when I went to McLeodganj, Dharamsala for the first time. I remember being fascinated by this small village that was so different from every other hill-station I had been to in Himachal. I remember walking around with my sis and a much younger cousin. We saw the colorful prayer flags, the monastery, the stores with Tibetan artifacts, the unprecedented number of foreigners, some American Buddhist monks and nuns. It was like we had discovered a hidden paradise. The oddest part of it all for me then were these stickers outside every store that said in a big, bold font something like 'don't buy products made in China'. I was so curious about this all - why did these people who look like the Chinese hate China so much? What are they doing here? I didn't get any of this answered on that trip - but I did go back, again, and again, and again.

I had just started my journey of a Bachelor's degree in Political Science that year. There was so much that I encountered thereon. Tibet became an important part of it all. Meeting Tibetan refugees in exile - finding out about their struggle - about the gross injustice done to them in the presence of "democracy", "human rights", "United Nations", and all other such illusions. The strongest interaction that I had was with Tenzin Tsundue - not so much with him, as with his activism.

The first time I heard of him was in the newspaper. He was the man who notoriously waved a "Free Tibet" flag in the building across from where a trade agreement was being struck between India and China, and was arrested as a consequence. Next, I get to see him in person, and hear him talk in my college, where he was invited by my friend Sumi. I was amazed at his courage and honest conviction. That led me to his book of poetry and articles, all about his life experiences as an exile. I posted one in here. I did meet him again after a film screening in Delhi, and saw him several times in McLeod - always active, walking, talking, spreading the word of his struggle, getting people to support his cause. He is such an inspiration!

Then I came to upstate New York - the most ignorant part of the world. I came armed with all my Free Tibet stickers, flags, books, only to see that they did not belong here in this university. No one knows. No one cares. No one. Here it's big enough to get people to go for anti-war marches - who would even know if Tibet is a country or a small village in China!

It pains me to sit here disconnected from their struggle - moving not an inch to help them. I even stopped talking about Tibet, stopped explaining the evil nature of all states, especially China. I stopped arguing against shopping in Wal Mart - I do it myself several times - it is the cheapest form of survival - and I don't earn my own money. I take my debit card out of my wallet and give it to the Wal Mart employee knowing that I am supporting China - I am betraying the beautiful people of Tibet that need my support. It pains me to be unaware of the recent happenings in the Free Tibet campaign - and I stopped keeping track of it because it pains me to watch their struggle and not be a part of it.

Thanks to my sis, and MM, I am reminded of the pain. I pain to go back, and be a part of it. Stand. Speak. Fight.

Until then, my name on an online petition is all I can do.
Please, please go here and do the same.