I looked at this
topic and was very conflicted about participating in the discussion. Yes, there is outrage about the fate of the Tibetan people and culture. Especially the diaspora has acted recently, trying to use the "Olympic issue" as leverage.
Mostly, the response from the "free" governments has been appalling, especially the self-appointed "Global Purveyor of Freedom and Democracy" George W. Bush was quick to disassociate the games and the latest violations from each other. Moscow, in a cynically self-serving statement sided with the Chinese, equally worried about their own territorial viability. India has arrested scores of protesters. The first comments from the IOC were muted at best. I haven't even searched for FIA's opinions as none have been reported and they will feel under no pressure to offer any given the dismal precedents.
The Tibetan people were no doubt realistic about the chances and risks involved in raising the issue of self-governance again, but chose to do so anyway knowing full well that part of the cost would be measured in lives. Tibet, and the adjoining provinces, are now closed to "foreign" media. Reporters have been threatened, arrested and efforts have been made to confiscate any and all material recorded in the area: Notably this has happened to journalists whose accreditation has been completely in order. Nonetheless, the scale of the Tibetan sacrifice in calling for basic human rights will become evident someday.
Part of the violence (
and casualties) has also befallen the Han Chinese in Tibetan areas. This is also unacceptable, no matter what propaganda value for the Chinese government their fates might carry. As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing wrong with organised social and political action (
the Chinese government has vilified anything even remotely resembling that, trying to avoid any forms of negotiations with the Tibetans themselves, no matter what the benefit and use might be), civil disobedience and such. But attacking individuals for their symbol value is wrong. Notably, the Dalai Lama has threatened to resign from his post as the leader of the exiled Tibetans if the violence continues, a sign of the gravity in which he views the issue of
any violence.
Which brings me back to Manchild's fire and fury in calling for a "boycott" of some sort regarding the Chinese GP of 2008 and beyond. First, it's my opinion that while shock tactics do grab attention, they can also make the casual observer despondent and inactive - people who only experience Tibetan affairs through mass media will not resort to writing protest notes in their spare time. Second, it is not China but the Chinese government's actions that we're supposed to protest against, right? That's an important distinction. The majority of Chinese Communist Party subjects do not have a say in this and there's no reason to hurt or alienate them on account of something that they have nothing to do with, nor are properly informed about.
Third, the "fascist comparison" is lame and ultimately fallacious to self-defeating, not least because that comparison has been used time and again by the leaders of both the USA and the former USSR in "selling" divisive politics, new conflicts and wars to their respective peoples. The Soviet communists routinely called every democracy and/or free market economy "fascist" and almost every adversary the US has chosen to go to war against has been likened to Hitler at some point. Those aren't good precedents at all. Fourth (
but not least), listen to the Tibetans. They're the ones this is all about, not anyone else. They will know what helps them and what doesn't.
So, given the above, if Manchild wishes to organise something meaningful I have the following ideas to offer (
subject to consideration, improvements and alterations as needed):
1) The simple option for the "everyman": A well publicised web petition (numbers count) in which people can declare that they will
not watch the Chinese GP on TV/online this year as a way of expressing concern for the plight of Tibet. This petition should be closed on the eve of the race weekend and results delivered to FOM, FIA and every TV channel carrying the race, as well as news organisations such as Reuters and BBC (
who should be notified as soon as the petition starts) who supply news around the World and will not be intimidated by things such as losing F1 accreditation. This will propably require some well placed volunteers to "beat the drum".
2) The "armchair activist" option: A web petition/group action, in which people can declare that they'll enjoy watching the race, but for the sole purpose of preorganised volunteers in different countries recording every advertiser (
supporting the broadcast, teams, or race) associated with the GP, assembling a list to be published online and then boycotting the products on that list for a set period (
say, two weeks is plenty before putting associated - and innocent - workers through too much hardship, but perhaps affecting profit margins and public relations) the best they can. This should also be made known for FOM, FIA and the above kinds of news organisations.
3) The first test of "Racing Against Racism": As language, culture and ethnicity define this longstanding crisis, it is only proper that the Tibetans themselves be informed about this program and the Chinese GP as a possible additional focal point in their campaign. This should be done ASAP. The Tibetans themselves are best positioned to consider the implications and fit the tactics with their overall strategy. Most likely any such stance should be apolitical and only concentrate on the human rights violations based on ethnicity. (
As the "launch" is only due at Spain - perhaps the Tibetans could co-ordinate with local anti-racist and human rights organisations.) It could also carry a positive element, such as a display of what makes the Tibetan culture unique and valuable. Perhaps even a playful exercise in considering what Buddhism and racing have in common ...
What you can do is raise the issue with the Tibetan exile organisations, preferrably with those with most reach - and I can only imagine this would present an attractive option of engagement as
the FIA and all the teams have unequivocally thrown their weight behind the program already. The issue should not only be (
publicly) raised with the FIA alone, but also the human rights organisations and such they're consulting in constructing the project - in case the FIA felt the urge to single the Tibetan case out as "not racist". I think at least some experts that are running the "Kick It Out" campaign in football are involved.
Kick It Out
FIA to launch 'Racing Against Racism'
Teams applaud FIA anti-racism campaign
Racing Against Racism
4) Again, last but not least: Research what is being done already, even in cursory fashion, and only then decide whether you can do more through highlighting what Formula One has to do socially, politically, economically and geographically with all this. Manchild might well have the tenacity and "fire in the belly" to act as a catalyst in this, though I also hope that any action can be taken with no (
or the least possible amount of) conflict with everyone's general interest. Of course we're all at liberty to decide on what we're willing to put on the line for this, but the ultimate object is self-evidently for the Tibetans (
and everyone else) being able to
live another day in freedom - and the actions should reflect that.
The real test, in many a sense, is how many friends remain with the Tibetans when the latest tragedy has subsided. Yes, this is the time to apply pressure but the Chinese Communist Party will not be intimidated by the power politics as such - they understand and dominate that. It is what they don't (
or can't) understand that will catch them off guard. They're deeply at odds with the virtual World and the positive aspects of individualism. As much as the plight of Tibetans sorely needs to be addressed, we need to do positive things with and for both the Chinese and the Tibetans. Perhaps therein we can expose the conflict for the dark, misguided fantasy it is and eventually make its nonexistence part of our collective reality again.
So there, just free flowing thought, hopefully applicable in some form. Just listing my immediate impressions seemed to take some doing.
Edit:
The Dalai Lama, official website
Tibetan Government in Exile, official website
