Firstly, my experience is unique. I photographed what I experienced. I saw no guns in Tibet, I did in Ganzi and was quite fearful to pull out a camera. Propaganda is propaganda, from either side. I’ve seen obviously false photos from “Free Tibet” groups while China says the Tibetans are very happy with their situation.
(I omitted some snarky and assumption comments about these “people”. Then realized I was doing back to them what they did to me. So, deleted)
Everyone, no matter what side, question your sources. I did not have any intentions of hunting for murderous, anti-China images. This is my life and my camera and my love. What do these people want me to do? Jump in front of a firing squad?
I say this…boycott groups that are not well informed and spread lies even if they do support your thoughts and beliefs.
These fools don’t even know the facts, I NEVER EVER went to Lhasa. The closest I was about 250km North. Also, I don’t follow these people and only found out about this by looking at “@mentions”
@TIBETANS on Twitter have recently re-tweeted “Traveling to Tibet is Highly Unethical”. It’s a point of view – but a questionable one, even from a “Free Tibet” perspective. If you believe in a “Free Tibet”, and if you believe that everything the Chinese government says about Tibet is untrue, then surely there is something to be said for *encouraging* people to travel to Tibet – especially independent travellers, like Ellen, who go without a government-sponsored guide and are free to use their own eyes and ears and to report the truth as they see and hear it.
Of course, a photograph can only tell a part of any story. But that’s true of every photograph, including ones like this http://yfrog.com/h7y0imgj posted by @nameloless.
@TIBETANS on Twitter have recently re-tweeted “Traveling to Tibet is Highly Unethical”. It’s a point of view – but a questionable one, even from a “Free Tibet” perspective. If you believe in a “Free Tibet”, and if you believe that everything the Chinese government says about Tibet is untrue, then surely there is something to be said for *encouraging* people to travel to Tibet – especially independent travellers, like Ellen, who go without a government-sponsored guide and are free to use their own eyes and ears and to report the truth as they see and hear it.
Of course, a photograph can only tell a part of any story. But that’s true of every photograph, including ones like this http://yfrog.com/h7y0imgj posted by @nameloless.
Thanks Ed! I have a hard time understanding how it was unethical for me to travel through an area of Tibet that foreigners usually DON’T go to. I was received with love by all Tibetans AND Han that I encountered. I sat next a table of Tibetans and Han playing MahJong together – joyfully! The Han had drilled a well next their restaurant and they shared the water with the local Tibetans. Tibetans came into their Sichuan restaurant (when there were Tibetan options) and gave them their business and cash.
The people in Tibet get along well with one another – from my opinion. I saw new, and quite fancy, schools that had been built. Of course, they will be teaching the way of the PRC, but hey, at least these kids will have somewhere warm in the winter time.
I don’t believe all the propaganda from EITHER side. The government has done some good to this area and when I see radical groups showing photos of how the PRC Occupation has destroyed the grasslands of Tibet, this is a false accusation. Desertification can not happen in that short of a period and at 5000m, there isn’t a lot of green anyhow…I saw this myself.
Now, I will never swear to be an expert on Tibet – BUT, I spent a month in Tibet and 2 months in Kham (also known as Western Sichuan).
Tibetans generally have no electricity, no running water, no plumbing, etc. It’s simple life. I saw new cell phone towers – obviously from the PRC.
If you look into the eyes of the many Tibetans I photographed, you will see something, a feeling of sadness…a feeling of…despair? I’m fortunate enough to speak Mandarin and had conversations with many people about the situation of Tibet. The situation of the government in Tibet.
When I met Tibetans they would ask where I was from. After they heard the word “meiguo” – their eyes would open with delight. It immediately opened up dialogue and they felt comfortable talking to me about politics, repression, the Dalai Lama, etc. I just traveled wanting them to know that we, I, Americans…we are here and we are listening…and we care.
This is not a political blog, this was not a political mission, I was not searching out photos of murder.
I saw only military in Ganzi. I didn’t go to Lhasa, as I had no permit, but was told by a nun that Lhasa is the only other place as bad as Ganzi. The liberals like to show photos of “Tibetans” being shot down my the PRC military. There are falsities in these photos.
1- the military do not wear the old style Green uniforms you will see in most of these photos. It’s simple black with swat/riot gear.
2- most of the photos i’ve seen, the “victims” do not appear Tibetan. girls usually wear their hair in braids or a hat. because of the lack of bathing, majority of skin and hair are covered to keep clean.
3- the police, at least where I was, is Tibetan. I only encountered one Han police officer and he was my escort back to Xining.
4- can anyone claim ownership to these photos? how do i not know they were taken off the television or from a movie. majority of movies and tv in China are politically based and any of these images can be taken from them.
As an American, who adores, loves, respects, the Tibetans, I don’t think I have to explain to you, the reader, or ANYONE what my stance is on this situation. I practice the teachings of the Dalai Lama and I believe we should respect and love everyone, no matter where they are, what country they live in, or what government RULES THEM.
I see Pro China in Tibet propaganda all the time. It’s laughable but I don’t get angry because it’s expected. What angers me is Americans who begin groups with the word “truth” in their title and spread nasty little, mis-informed lies.
Tashi Delay, and for those who understand… ओं मणिपद्मे हूं
Thanks Ed! I have a hard time understanding how it was unethical for me to travel through an area of Tibet that foreigners usually DON’T go to. I was received with love by all Tibetans AND Han that I encountered. I sat next a table of Tibetans and Han playing MahJong together – joyfully! The Han had drilled a well next their restaurant and they shared the water with the local Tibetans. Tibetans came into their Sichuan restaurant (when there were Tibetan options) and gave them their business and cash.
The people in Tibet get along well with one another – from my opinion. I saw new, and quite fancy, schools that had been built. Of course, they will be teaching the way of the PRC, but hey, at least these kids will have somewhere warm in the winter time.
I don’t believe all the propaganda from EITHER side. The government has done some good to this area and when I see radical groups showing photos of how the PRC Occupation has destroyed the grasslands of Tibet, this is a false accusation. Desertification can not happen in that short of a period and at 5000m, there isn’t a lot of green anyhow…I saw this myself.
Now, I will never swear to be an expert on Tibet – BUT, I spent a month in Tibet and 2 months in Kham (also known as Western Sichuan).
Tibetans generally have no electricity, no running water, no plumbing, etc. It’s simple life. I saw new cell phone towers – obviously from the PRC.
If you look into the eyes of the many Tibetans I photographed, you will see something, a feeling of sadness…a feeling of…despair? I’m fortunate enough to speak Mandarin and had conversations with many people about the situation of Tibet. The situation of the government in Tibet.
When I met Tibetans they would ask where I was from. After they heard the word “meiguo” – their eyes would open with delight. It immediately opened up dialogue and they felt comfortable talking to me about politics, repression, the Dalai Lama, etc. I just traveled wanting them to know that we, I, Americans…we are here and we are listening…and we care.
This is not a political blog, this was not a political mission, I was not searching out photos of murder.
I saw only military in Ganzi. I didn’t go to Lhasa, as I had no permit, but was told by a nun that Lhasa is the only other place as bad as Ganzi. The liberals like to show photos of “Tibetans” being shot down my the PRC military. There are falsities in these photos.
1- the military do not wear the old style Green uniforms you will see in most of these photos. It’s simple black with swat/riot gear.
2- most of the photos i’ve seen, the “victims” do not appear Tibetan. girls usually wear their hair in braids or a hat. because of the lack of bathing, majority of skin and hair are covered to keep clean.
3- the police, at least where I was, is Tibetan. I only encountered one Han police officer and he was my escort back to Xining.
4- can anyone claim ownership to these photos? how do i not know they were taken off the television or from a movie. majority of movies and tv in China are politically based and any of these images can be taken from them.
As an American, who adores, loves, respects, the Tibetans, I don’t think I have to explain to you, the reader, or ANYONE what my stance is on this situation. I practice the teachings of the Dalai Lama and I believe we should respect and love everyone, no matter where they are, what country they live in, or what government RULES THEM.
I see Pro China in Tibet propaganda all the time. It’s laughable but I don’t get angry because it’s expected. What angers me is Americans who begin groups with the word “truth” in their title and spread nasty little, mis-informed lies.
Tashi Delay, and for those who understand… ओं मणिपद्मे हूं