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Majora Carter: Bearing A Torch for Tibet!
Majora Carter who is renowned for her visionary leadership in urban environmental activism and founder of Sustainable South Bronx and advisor for Green For All, was one of the Olympic Torch Bearers running the torch in San Francisco... as well as one of the protestors against the Olympic games all in one motion!
On April 8th, a day before the torch relay, the Gothamist quoted her as saying about her participation:
"I'm grateful that I live in a country where you can say things like
this," said Carter, 41, who heads Sustainable South Bronx and is
co-founder of GreenForAll.org, which finds environmentally friendly
jobs for poor people."I completely understand the whole controversy about China, but I
just think that we should look at this in the spirit the Games
represent," Carter said. "It's about unity, it's about respect and it's
about reaching across boundaries in the spirit of sportsmanship."
In the same article it mentioned the fellow New Yorkers who participated, former firefighter Richard Doran and former NYPD Officer James Dolan said: "I've seen enough demonstrations in my career. I'm confident the city will be able to make the event go off smoothly."
However, Carter had other plans for her participation the next day.
During her leg of the run, she pulled out a Tibetan Flag hidden in her sleeve and waved it in solidarity with both the protestors and people of Tibet. Immediately, Chinese Officials attempted to seize the flag and the police physically and forcefully pushed from route into the bystanders on the sidewalk. The San Francisco Chronicle has video footage of her removal and immediate reflections afterwards.
Richard Doran later said of Carter's actions: "I think it's disgusting, appalling... It violated every paper we signed about the sanctity of the event."
Not as disgusting and appalling as the recent Lhasa Massacre that went under-reported. And let's not forget that the "sanctity of the event" known as the torch relay is actually a tradition that was started by Nazi Germany by Dr. Carl Diem and at the behest of Adolf Hitler to promote the Nazi ideology of Aryan Supremacy. By the way, the Olympic Rings have Nazi origins, too. In context, Majora Carter's protest against the generations of injustice and oppression against the Tibetan people were more in spirit and purpose of the Olympic games than the torch relay will ever be.
Majora spoke passionately at a nearby rally explaining her actions and the need for more concerted action to raise awareness about and bring justice to Tibet
She also released a formal statement, powerfully connecting the pricniples of justice and action at Dream Reborn rally of last week to Tibetan Liberation:
Only days ago, we commemorated the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - a man who fought and died for freedom and justice everywhere. It is with that same spirit that I stand before you now. My name is Majora Carter, and I am from the South Bronx, in NYC. It is a part of the world known for some good things like the birthplace of Hip Hop, and for some bad things - like a reputation for crime and urban blight.
What you may not know is that it is a glaring example of environmental injustice here in America, it is a poor Latino and Black community that suffers from severe environmental degradation, causing impacts on our health, wealth and spiritual well-being. But there are places just like the South Bronx all over the world, where decisions about locating environmental burdens like power plants, diesel truck routes, and waste facilities are made by people who will not feel the effects of those decisions. We have been able to make real changes in my community but the battle for environmental justice is far from over.
I was honored to have been asked to be an Olympic torchbearer because it represents to me what the games are about: passing the torch as a symbol of the unity around a great purpose. Today, I carry that flame in support of a great purpose - freedom. Freedom everywhere: the freedom to assemble and, the freedom of speech. I know what it feels like to have your voice ignored; and I appreciate how important it is when another voice joins with your own in pursuit of that freedom.
So, although I have no longstanding connection to Tibet, I would not be able to call myself a drum major for justice if I did not speak my concern for Tibetans inside Tibet who are being persecuted by the Chinese government for expressing their desire for freedom. I want to use this moment to shed light on these subjects; but I also want to shed light on the planned route for the torch through Tibet after it leaves this hemisphere.
To let the Olympic torch run through Tibet would only provoke more opportunities for human rights abuses to happen there. It will not bring people together, but more likely incite them. And even if they resist in the most non-violent manner, we have seen the responses to those types of protests in the past, and can have little doubt that the non-violence will not be reciprocated. It would place the IOC in a position similar to sanctioning the Ku Klux Klan burning a cross in Montgomery, Alabama. Although that freedom is at least protected in this country, it is not something one wants to be associated with.
The IOC must not let its name and stature be used to sanction the repressions of the past and I encourage Coca-Cola and all other sponsors of the torch relay to use their position to push China not to bring the torch through Tibet.
When I pass the flame today, it will be the same flame that Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. have passed on to me, and to all of you. It will be the flame of my ancestors, and all of their struggles. The flame that I pass on to the games in China will be - in its own small way - the flame of liberation, and it will be beautiful, and it will be for everyone.
Update Note: Bay Area resident and fellow torch bearer, Andrew Michael, from his wheelchair made a display of solidarity as well. The pic is powerful!
- Calvin Williams's blog
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China Bashing
Just putting in a different viewpoint on this troubling issue.
If anything the "Lahasa massacre" was over reported yet I have not seen one piece of evidence of a massacre from anyone but the obviously biased Tibetan government-in-exile.
What I have seen is reports on Tibetan mails beating (sometimes to death) innocent Han and Hui (muslim minority) Chinese in Lahasa during the riots. An Economist reporter witnessed a group of Tibetans throwing stones at a 10 year old Han Chinese boy.
If anything China (thankfully) showed much more restraint due to the Olympic and international pressure and criticism.
I think its a shame that so many people immediately jump on the "Free Tibet" bandwagon based solely off reports outside of Tibet. While personally I think that China has made some grave missteps in Tibet there is a lot of history and culture there that Americans are flat out ignoring.
It's easy to pick on China but not many Westerners attempt to understand the issue from the Chinese point of view. Tibet has been a part of China since the 50s and has been a part of China off and on since (to a degree the Yuan) and Qing dynasties.
I know from my experience in China that there definitely is a cultural response to this situation. Most of my friends dont conceptualize the issue in the same way as the American liberals who so often join Free Tibet facebook groups. It's hard to reconcile Western criticism (especially from a country that helped to split up China in pre-1949) with their own beliefs of creating a strong unified nation that wont be subjected to the same "humiliation" again.
Not Bashing China... just promoting freedom...
I definitely have not had privilege to visit China myself, so hearing from someone whose experience provided a different cultural insight and perspective is healthy for this debate.
Quickly though, while Tibet has been a part of China since the 50s, just remember HOW that all went down (It wasn't exactly a peaceful annex or opt-in on the part of Tibet)and what has happened since (knowing that this isn't the first time Lhasa was the site of a violent uprising). And the history of violence and repression is much more than grave missteps for those who have been actual victims.
To address the issue of the Lhasa riots and massacre, hopefully this isn't a question of semantics or defining massacres (i.e. how many deaths constitute a massacre), however there were certainly reports of violence and deaths (though the number of deaths are disputed). To be fair, I am getting this from largely Western international and NGO news agencies and healthy doses of skepticism are appropriate. Also to be fair, I'm as skeptical of state-owned news agencies that did report that at least 10 deaths occurred.
Obviously, the violence is not solely from Chinese authorities as you pointed out. Certainly the situation has much more complex ethno-sectarian and religious conflicts than is discussed. And yes, Tibetans were involved in rebellions and sometimes violent insurrections--at times even having the support of CIA involvement since the 50s. Western incursions and its recent inaction are as culpable, but for me this isn't about picking on a nation, its about standing for a people. Especially the stand many are making are out a principles of anti-imperialism, anti-colonialism,and anti-oppression under any flag, by any name, through any system. Not to be melodramatic about it, of course... Just sayin.
I feel that part of the larger question something I have also struggled with (and continue to do so) in reference to international human rights. Jack Donnelly wrote an interesting series of essays on the complexities of human rights development in the context of globalization and neo-imperialism. His writings definitely challenged my assumptions as he explored the relationship and negotiation of cultural and human rights as both a policy and a perspective. I'm sure you've come across him, but if not we should check in about it.
All this to say, I'm certainly not a definitive expert on the situation in Tibet, nor will I claim to be. What I am claiming in my original post is the way Carter was able to give a powerful statement (her actual press release, not the symbolic flag gesture in and of itself) that connected common roots and visions of environmental justice, racial justice, and liberation movements. Also to say I am willing to engage in more dialogue with you about the Tibetan issue and reconsider with broader perspective the position most grounded in truth towards liberation. Again, not to be melodramatic... but just sayin'
Interesting Article
9 out of 10 times I vehemently disagree with Jason Whitlock. You'd think sports journalists would not have some sort of ideological bent... but he is a writer for Fox Sports, so go figure. But on this issue and in this article I thought he raised some interesting points to consider about the impact of the Olympics, the commercialization of both the games and the Tibetan cause, and the double standards in Western media...
Needless to say, the comments on this article are... let's say, animated. (Check 'em out if you'd like, just be ready for what's there).
http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/story/8009276?MSNHPHMA
Protests are only thing compelling about Olympics
By Jason Whitlock
Jason Whitlock brings his edgy and thought-provoking style to FOXSports.com. Columnist for the Kansas City Star, he has won the National Journalism Award for Commentary for "his ability to seamlessly integrate sports and social commentary and to challenge widely held assumptions along the racial divide."
Updated: April 10, 2008, 12:08 PM EST
If not for the protests, would there be a compelling reason to pay attention to the Olympics?
Seriously, that's where we are when it comes to the summer and winter Olympics. There are no star, must-see athletes. The one and only star is Political Protest, the former supporting co-star who will now be asked to carry the Games alone.
I think she's up to it, and I'm going to enjoy the show.
Let's don't kid ourselves by pretending the seemingly worldwide organized protest of the Olympic torch is somehow bad for the Games in China. Hell, I half suspect NBC employees are spreading pro-Tibet, anti-China propaganda. Dick Ebersol is so smart that he probably commandeered a couple of choppers and dropped leaflets detailing China's human-rights violations across San Francisco in the days leading up to Wednesday's torch relay.
Nope. The Summer Olympics will rise or fall economically/commercially on the strength or weakness of this controversy. We can only hope that in the attempt to drive ratings and sell newspapers and magazines that the desperate U.S. media cover China and the Games responsibly.
History might one day view these Games as extremely important, perhaps as significant as the 1936 Berlin Olympics. I came to this realization the other night after a long conversation and e-mail exchange with a friend much smarter than me.
We theorized — OK, she theorized and I agreed — that history might be repeating itself.
"There might be a parallel between China 2008 and Germany 1936. Germany at the time was in the process of this massive renovation of its infrastructure, national pride and military after the depression and defeat of World War I. Hitler was eager to have his newly refurbished country and Aryan splendor on display for the world. The human-rights violations were already under way. There is a fear that China, with its massive consumption and development and increasing national pride, is perhaps building its military in anticipation of world dominance. The Olympics for China is a chance to put all its shiny new toys on display. But now there are shouts that suggest the human-rights violations there expose a dangerous and opportunistic government."
But we also agreed that these suspicions are the exact reason the American media, athletes and president need to be in China for the Olympics. As best we can during a month-long public-relations campaign, we need to ferret out truth from fiction and gain an in-context view of China.
China's human-rights violations may be no more outrageous than our own. You can't hold onto or ascend to super-power status without violating some basic human rights along the way. I'm not trying to be flip or dismissive. But we have our own history of Tiananmen Square Massacres. Seriously, we incarcerate more people — by a large number — than China, a country with a billion people. According to a recent Pew Center study, more than one out of every 100 adults are currently incarcerated in the United States. That's more than 2.3 million American prisoners, compared to 1.5 million in China and 890,000 in Russia.
So we've got our own political prisoners rotting in jails. Trust me, The Angola 3 don't think our government is any more ethical than China's.
So I'm glad there are massive protests shining a spotlight on China and its domestic and foreign policies.
The Olympics have a rich history of political dissent. I saw Herschel Walker, the former NFL running back and Olympic bobsledder, on television Wednesday morning complaining that the protests were taking attention away from the athletes who have this one moment in the limelight. Walker was scheduled to run with the torch in San Francisco.
Talk to Whitlock
I wondered if Herschel even understood the history of the Olympics. Does he comprehend that Jesse Owens' sprints in front of Hitler played a role in our freedom today? Does he have any idea that John Carlos and Tommie Smith took attention away from the Games and put America on blast for segregation and other human-rights violations?
America was founded on protest.
Without protests, these Games would be purposeless. Other than the NBA players who will participate, it's nearly impossible to name an American Olympian. I have no idea who our 100-meter-dash star is. Who are our gymnasts? Are we even sending any boxers?
You can criticize me for being an uninformed sports writer, but the point is our Olympians used to be household names. I knew Carl Lewis before he ever won an Olympic gold medal. Once the Olympics became a solely professional endeavor it lost its charm and ability to captivate consistently.
Now the only things amateur, grassroots and organic about the Olympics are the protests. At least we can feel relatively confident that the demonstrations are genuine and not performance-enhanced attempts at grabbing money and fame.
I just hope we, the media, don't distort the dissent for ratings and profit. What we learn about China during the spring and summer may impact the world's future.
Read this article at:
http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/story/8009276/Protests-are...
Come on! How much do you know about Tibet??
Did you ever travel to Tibet? If not, you are not in the right position to condem China. I traveled to there for over 5 times. I can distinctly recall the first time I travelled there when I was really shocked by the story I'm going to tell you below.
As you guys know, Tibetans are very superstitious. All of the residents prepared one independ room in their house to worship budda and lama's pictures. When I visisted on ordinary old Tibetan's house, I was showed this worshipping room. Inside there was a Budda, a picture of Banchan Lama and, which shocked me so much, a picture of Chairman mao!!! You know, even in the other chinese provinces, chinese people don't worship Mao as a god, they just think him as a great man, but still a human being who can also make terrible mistakes although he is still considered as a great man.
When I chat with the the old Tibetan why he even worship Mao as one god in such a modern time, he told me he and his parents were slaves before Mao liberated them from the slaves' lords, who were belong to the superviliged classes in Tibet at the time. In old times, the slave lords and Lama (Tibetan monks) are the governing class, and 95% of Tibetan population were slaves because their social system was still slavery system. That's why most of the monks wanted to go back to the old days, because they want to get back their supervilige and power. That's in their best interest.
Meanwhile, i can totally understand the young Tibetan demonstrators who, on one hand don't have the terrible memory as their fathers, and on the other hand don't satisfy with the corruptive and inefficient communist government.
However, the Tibetan monks are not ususal monks as you imagined. They are political monks who are just like the monks in the medievil Europe. I can totally understand our Americans sympathize Tibetans because our bad impression on the communist. But are we fair enough toward this?
Check out what the "peaceful" demonstrators do to their neighborhood. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z_prFMROC8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiVunJBIGoM
I'm also a buddhist, but always disapprove the Tibetan monks who are legalized to eat meat, kill their enemy and even have sex with woman (only the senior monks are entitled to do so. they could get promostion to have sex with women who must be virgin and contributed by the villagers). Everytime when I imagine the old days in Tibet, I will have goose skin!!
I think what this black woman did is really stupid. She's a decendant of the slaves, but she is fighting for the monks who want Tibet to go back to the old days, their slave lords' days! It's really stupid.
Come on dude! How much do you know about Tibet??
Did you ever travel to Tibet? If not, you are not in the right position to condem China. I traveled to there for over 5 times. I can distinctly recall the first time I travelled there when I was really shocked by the story I'm going to tell you below.
As you guys know, Tibetans are very superstitious. All of the residents prepared one independ room in their house to worship budda and lama's pictures. When I visisted on ordinary old Tibetan's house, I was showed this worshipping room. Inside there was a Budda, a picture of Banchan Lama and, which shocked me so much, a picture of Chairman mao!!! You know, even in the other chinese provinces, chinese people don't worship Mao as a god, they just think him as a great man, but still a human being who can also make terrible mistakes although he is still considered as a great man.
When I chat with the the old Tibetan why he even worship Mao as one god in such a modern time, he told me he and his parents were slaves before Mao liberated them from the slaves' lords, who were belong to the superviliged classes in Tibet at the time. In old times, the slave lords and Lama (Tibetan monks) are the governing class, and 95% of Tibetan population were slaves because their social system was still slavery system. That's why most of the monks wanted to go back to the old days, because they want to get back their supervilige and power. That's in their best interest.
Meanwhile, i can totally understand the young Tibetan demonstrators who, on one hand don't have the terrible memory as their fathers, and on the other hand don't satisfy with the corruptive and inefficient communist government.
However, the Tibetan monks are not ususal monks as you imagined. They are political monks who are just like the monks in the medievil Europe. I can totally understand our Americans sympathize Tibetans because our bad impression on the communist. But are we fair enough toward this?
Check out what the "peaceful" demonstrators do to their neighborhood. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z_prFMROC8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiVunJBIGoM
I'm also a buddhist, but always disapprove the Tibetan monks who are legalized to eat meat, kill their enemy and even have sex with woman (only the senior monks are entitled to do so. they could get promostion to have sex with women who must be virgin and contributed by the villagers). Everytime when I imagine the old days in Tibet, I will have goose skin!!
I think what this black woman did is really stupid. She's a decendant of the slaves, but she is fighting for the monks who want Tibet to go back to the old days, their slave lords' days! It's really stupid.
I posted my response to this
Here:
http://www.youngpeoplefor.org/blog/posts/2080#comment-1873