I wish to commend your paper for its stand on the Tibetan protests as well as human right issues in China. Under this communist regime both Tibetan and Chinese are victims. Influential activists, human rights lawyers, and faith based groups are always persecuted.
Recent protests erupting in Lhasa and neighboring Tibetan counties were a fine example of a long resentment of the heavy hand of the communist regime. Being Tibetan myself, I was not at all surprised. I believe it was long over due and I am so glad that it happened at the right moment. I believe this could be an encouraging move to many others who are suffering under this regime.
Due to the nature of the situation, the communist regime has used the same old tactics to create a rift between the Tibetan and the Han Chinese by showing only one side of the Tibetan protest. The communist regime wants to convey the messages that Tibetans hate Chinese or Tibetans are the enemy of China because they want separation and independence.
In my own case, both of my uncles were killed by Red Guards in late 1950’s and I have nobody left from my father’s side. But I have never hated the Chinese people and why should I? This has nothing to do with the Chinese people. They are humans just as we are and want peace, harmony, and happiness.
In an unprecedented move, around 27 Chinese scholars and writers wrote an open letter to Hu Jintao, the head of the Chinese Communist Party, and they even laid out a roadmap for solving the Tibetan issue. I see as a good sign that these learned individuals are not buying the communist propaganda. I personally believe, if all Tibetans, Falun Gong, East Turkestanians and others join hand in hand to make their voices heard, I see a clear vision that one day we could live in peace and harmony with our fundamental rights regardless of our ethnicity.
I have been doing my part. I go to Falun Gong campaigns, sign their petitions and even hand out some of their brochures, because I see in those brochures a Tibetan who longs for the rights to his spiritual practice. I do hope the Falun Gong see the Tibetans in the same way. Together we can make a difference.
Tenzin C. Woesung
Seattle, WA
This letter is in response to the letter published as "Protest for All of China."
