Thought I'd just put a few words in on Tibet. A few years ago I made public my efforts to not buy things made in China. My petition on Change.org got over 1,000 signatures, and a letter got into the San Francisco Chronicle. I exchanged a few emails with some Tibetan people who appreciated the support, and the pressure put on China to reform their policies: to open up freedom of speech, worship, and rights of gender, and protect the environment. And to resist the Chinese persecution of and nearly genocidal policies toward Tibetan people and culture, and efforts to eradicate Tibetan Buddhism itself. Even typing the words again is upsetting me. So the boycotting of Chinese products, and sharing with the Chinese premier that we were avoiding buying goods from China for the above reasons, and wanted reform, was a most logical effort. Which I continue. I welcome all others to join in this effort.
As I posed in the SF Chronicle letter, "What if we all avoided buying anything from China for a month? How much change could we force?" You may try it for awhile, it may make you feel better. It may help. (If remaining conscious of the choice, and taking some actions like telling managers why you won't buy something -- see below. Sharing your actions with the Chinese premier or other trade reps is extra credit.)
I continue to avoid buying things made in China. In my trip last week to Mammoth, I bought Nina a nice, colorful souvenir "Love Mammoth" t-shirt made in Guatemala, not the one made in China. It's easy, you just look at the label. I love to find "Made in the USA" labels. Countries other than China usually get me excited too. Fair trade goods even more excited. If there are no options other than made in China, usually I'll pass on the item. [Unless I very strongly need the item for whatever reason.] Often I will briefly and pleasantly tell the sales clerk, "I pass on things made in China because of their human rights and environmental abuses. Please tell your manager to stock products not made in China." Sometimes I elaborate, often that's simply all I'll say.
I continue to support the Tibetan people, and sent a contribution last month to the International Campaign for Tibet. So the Campaign for Tibet just sent me my renewal letter, thanking me for the support. They included in the letter that the U.S. government in the 2016 Congressional budget bill has appropriated money to promote and preserve Tibetan cultures and communities. That is good. Our help and advocacy no doubt help.
I find the Tibetan culture to be peaceful, ancient and elegant part of mankind. To imagine a political force like China wanting to eradicate it is infuriating, and so sad.
We all should help support Tibetan people, and freedom and peace, at every chance. Particularly when some things are so easy to do.
As I posed in the SF Chronicle letter, "What if we all avoided buying anything from China for a month? How much change could we force?" You may try it for awhile, it may make you feel better. It may help. (If remaining conscious of the choice, and taking some actions like telling managers why you won't buy something -- see below. Sharing your actions with the Chinese premier or other trade reps is extra credit.)
I continue to avoid buying things made in China. In my trip last week to Mammoth, I bought Nina a nice, colorful souvenir "Love Mammoth" t-shirt made in Guatemala, not the one made in China. It's easy, you just look at the label. I love to find "Made in the USA" labels. Countries other than China usually get me excited too. Fair trade goods even more excited. If there are no options other than made in China, usually I'll pass on the item. [Unless I very strongly need the item for whatever reason.] Often I will briefly and pleasantly tell the sales clerk, "I pass on things made in China because of their human rights and environmental abuses. Please tell your manager to stock products not made in China." Sometimes I elaborate, often that's simply all I'll say.
I continue to support the Tibetan people, and sent a contribution last month to the International Campaign for Tibet. So the Campaign for Tibet just sent me my renewal letter, thanking me for the support. They included in the letter that the U.S. government in the 2016 Congressional budget bill has appropriated money to promote and preserve Tibetan cultures and communities. That is good. Our help and advocacy no doubt help.
I find the Tibetan culture to be peaceful, ancient and elegant part of mankind. To imagine a political force like China wanting to eradicate it is infuriating, and so sad.
We all should help support Tibetan people, and freedom and peace, at every chance. Particularly when some things are so easy to do.
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