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PO Box 194
Fishers, Indiana
46038-0194
United States
e-mail:
rangzen@aol.com
(<- Previous Report ) March 13, 1997 (Next Report ->)
At the end of the walk today we are 24 miles out of Toronto. So far the weather has been good - cold and windy, but clear. Tomorrow we expect to wake up to freezing rain and a foot of snow. As long as our vehicles can get us to our starting point we will walk; no matter what kind of weather. Conditions are much worse in Tibet than we will ever experience and we must always keep this in mind.
Often, as we walk along the road, drivers stop their cars and get out to talk to us. Some wonder what in the world we are doing, some know about Tibet and cheer us on, and some want to give us a hard time saying things like, "Go do this in your own country. Get out of ours." (Of course this is an impossible suggestion, but they don't know any better.) Today, however, we had an interesting encounter.
On the side of the road in front of our path, a car pulled over and a man and a young boy got out of the car and greeted us. Much to our surprise and excitement the boy was Tibetan. Phontsok explained that when driving past us he could hardly believe that he was seeing many of his country's flags being carried by many of his country's people on the road in Toronto! He also told us that he had recently moved to Toronto and had been having a difficult time finding the Tibetan community. Today he found it!
Lunchtime in the White Buffalo.
The White Buffalo is a RV generously donated to the march by The PeaceWeavers: an organization that works closely with Native American Indians and was involved with last year's march. We have many more people walking this year and already the White Buffalo has proven to be a miracle of transportation, a refuge from the weather and a great place to eat lunch.
Tonight the walkers gave a presentation a York University. Tashi-Tobgye Jamyangling, President of the Toronto Chushi Gungduk was one of many speakers.
His talk began with a small demonstration. He approach the podium carrying a gym bag and wearing jeans, tennis shoes and a T-shirt. He opened his bag, and piece by piece pulled out his native garb, and in front of the audience transformed into an honest-to-goodness Tibetan! When he finished getting dressed he spread open his arms and said, "I want to ask you a question. Do I look Chinese to you?" Some people answered, "No." And some people laughed at such a silly question because of course he did not look Chinese. Even if one did not know what he looked like, one would not mistake him for Chinese.
"Tibetans don't feel Chinese, don't look Chinese, don't speak Chinese, don't write Chinese. If you cannot call me Chinese, how can you say that Tibet is a part of China?"
Tashi is an outspoken Tibetan on the issue of independence. He said that freedom is not what we should be talking about. Freedom is a very gray and vague word. Even people in democratic nations fight for their freedom. Tibetans should fight for independence. Unfortunately, Tibet has received little support from other nations and therefore most Tibetans are afraid to say what they really want. He also made a very poignant remark when explaining why Westerners should be concerned about what China is doing to Tibet. Referring to population transfer, re-education and other methods used by China to terminate Tibetan existance Tashi said, "my grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will be turned into Chinese and one day my grandchildren will fight your grandchildren and the viscous circle will continue."
(<- Previous Report ) (Next Report ->)
PO Box 194 Fishers, Indiana 46038-0194 United States
e-mail: rangzen@aol.com
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