2008 Olympics in China

"You know, Huey, those of us who do adhere to the philosophy of non-violence frown upon the throwing of furniture to resolve our political differences." - Martin Luther King, Jr. (as imagined by Aaron McGruder, writer, The Boondocks)

I am torn.

As Tibetans, the victims of 50 years of violence and oppression, begin to rise up and become violent against the Chinese government I find myself wondering if they're wrong. China raped, murdered, tortured and imprisoned the Tibetan people in the 50's. Their leaders were driven into exile in another country. Thousands of monasteries were destroyed. The Tibetans remained peaceful. In recent years, they haven't slaughtered the Tibetans en masse. There has a been a much more sinister method of committing genocide in Tibet. The Chinese get rid of the Tibetans by starving them to death and by diluting their population with the Chinese people from the lower cities. The mystical land of Shangri La has been turned into a land of hungry vagrants and tourist attractions.

The Tibetans are and have been a peaceful people. They have spoken out about their oppression, but never fought back. Then, just recently, they have begun to rise up - their protests are more aggressive, attacking Chinese guards, tearing down Chinese flags and replacing them with Tibetan flags. The Dalai Lama has said he'll resign as their leader if the violence doesn't stop.

Fifty years of peacefully asking for freedom all the while the hand of your oppressor is firmly pressing on your head...at some point that hand has to be slapped away and the oppressed must stand up. That time is now.

I am a peaceful person. I would like to think that I would keep peace in my heart if I suffered the way the Tibetans have suffered. And, on the other hand, I celebrate their recent defiance. It's been a long time coming.

I am joining the boycott of the Olympics in honor of the Tibetan's fight against their oppressors.

Or maybe it's time to start throwing furniture...

Free Tibet.