A Review

I have a plethora of foreign, independent, and obscure films available to me here. When I want to learn about something other than Arab culture, my collection of DVD’s provides worthwhile entertainment. Most recently I watched Kundun. This film by Martin Scorsese tells the story of the 14th (current) Dalai Lama’s life from his birth until he was exiled from Tibet to India. With Tibet and China being in the spot light right now, I decided to find out more about the figure of the Dalai Lama.

As the movie explains, the Dalai Lama was believed to be reincarnated into each of its predecessors. The 14th Dalai Lama was found as a child and discovered by Tibetan monks to be the reincarnated leader of Tibet. The boy became a monk and was trained until we was meant to take leadership at the age of 18. Around that time China decided to take over Tibet.

There is a variety of interesting things about this movie. One is its relevance. The tension between China and Tibet right now trace back to the time frame of this movie. From what I could gather, China wanted control of Tibet’s territory because it would benefit them economically, as has proven true. China, however, was and is secular, while Tibetans are deeply religious Buddhists. The Chinese didn’t want the Dalai Lama to hinder their progress, so they drove him out.
Secondly, the film is extremely artistic in the way it portrays the Tibetan culture. Scorsese showcases the people, colors, costumes, traditions, music, chants, and landscape of the people beautifully. He obviously appreciates the novelty of the entire culture.
I was particularly fascinated by the spiritual aspect of the entire film. The fact that an entire nation would stand behind a little boy that is a supposed replica of a previous man is pretty extraordinary. Of course I found this somewhat saddening. The fact that the monks in particular dedicated their entire lives to a child they thought to be someone else is a little disillusioning; nevertheless, it is pretty intriguing.
Overall, this is a good film. It is informative and aesthetically pleasing, but just a little long.

Things that make me Sick (ethically)

And here’s one of them: American Bigot, Al Jazeera Magazine

Another Reason I don’t like Facebook

(And I will never give in!)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7304361.stm

Art, War, and Human Rights

This post is a culmination of all the news I’ve been thinking about this week as well as the art that helps me think about it.

On Wednesday the BBC put out an article about the war trials in Uganda. For those of you who don’t know about the situation there, it is quite similar to that of other countries in East Africa. The thing that distinguishes its conflicts from other wars and genocides is the targeting of children as soldiers and sex slaves by the Lord’s Resistance Army. The LRA has been terrorizing the region of Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan for years. Finally the LRA, led by Joseph Kony, is set to face a prosecution at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, The Netherlands. This is the first I’ve looked into the ICC past the acronym. It was established in 1998 for the purpose of unbiased prosecution of those who have committed crimes against humanity. The LRA is arguing that it should only face the local traditional court in Uganda and has since suspiciously moved its leader off its base, violating a ceasefire agreement (BBC article). The ICC is supposed to only convict those that have not faced punishment in there own nation, but I have to question the legitimacy of Uganda’s local justice system. The LRA is demanding the ICC to drop charges before it continues with former agreements in Uganda. I intend to do more research on the ICC and its role in East African conflicts as well as its relationship to the United Nations. My first reaction, however, is that those who have committed such atrocities against man kind should face grave consequences and international scorn. That may sound harsh, but how much longer can these kinds of crimes go on?

Uganda’s neighbor, Sudan, is worsening by the day in its Western region of Darfur. The violence is so turbulent that aid workers are unable to get into the region. Basic food rations are unable to reach the area, compounding the problem in Darfur. In spite of receiving unprecedented coverage in the United States, the situation is slowly improving and will probably get worse if those working on policy and peace treaties can’t get to the bottom of the Sudanese government’s role in the genocide.

Please remember Darfur as you look forward to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. China has funded Sudan’s weapons and missiles for years and is imperative in ending the genocide. China’s withdrawal of support to Sudan could help end the killing much sooner than policy makers could ever hope. Recently China has also been in the spotlight for it’s role in Tibet. The topic is mainly popular because of the role of the Dalai Lama in the past few years. Although Tibet isn’t facing a physical genocide, the Dalai Lama claims it faces a cultural one due to the alleged oppression by China. I just want to know, who gave the 2008 Olympics to China, anyway?

The greatest humanitarian crisis occurring right now is in Gaza. It has recently been dubbed
“the world’s largest prison.” I don’t think better words could be chosen. Like in Darfur, it is increasingly difficult for aid workers to bring in supplies and rations. In Darfur, guerrilla fighters are creating the danger (although the government is likely behind it), but in Gaza, it is an established government boldly and unapologetically not allowing basic items to reach human beings with virtually no rights. Situations like this make me wonder how we distinguish terrorists from soldiers and presidents from tyrants so easily.

On Sunday I went to an art exhibit in Amman. In a quaint, refurbished building overlooking the city, Lebanese photographers were featured. Many of the pieces were extremely creative, as well as highly disturbing. Lebanon has had very little time of peace since it’s first civil war. I am thankful for people that put the pain of there experiences into art, because art that comes from war is some of the most moving. There is also irony in the creations that result from acts of destruction. As I looked over the photographs of collected ammunition, abandoned homes, and exploding hillsides, I couldn’t help think of the people in Gaza. I have no idea where I’ll be in a few years, but working towards peace and reconciliation among those in the disputed territories would be a dream come true. I found a video recommended by Ralph Nader that gives hope of future peace among the conflicting cultures of the Middle East, at least peace in the hearts and minds of individuals. Encounter Point

Everything that’s happened this week has reminded me of an artist I am fond of, Bartolome Murillo. A Spanish painter, he was one of the first to paint the peasant class. The picture below, The Young Beggar, shows something very familiar to most people but to most art of his time. I appreciate art that speaks truth. Murillo’s art gives a glance into the society at that time, not at the society’s desired perception. There a lot of places in the world that don’t want to be seen for what they are – broken. But art like Murillo’s and posts like this are made for the reason that Abraham Lincoln put so eloquently: “I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The great point is to bring them the real facts.”

Situation in Darfur Still Volatile

I received this update today from the UNHCR. Despite the continual efforts by various parties to stabilize Sudan through peace treaties, it is evident that the violence in the region of Darfur still rages. There is a lot of evidence that the Sudanese government is linked to the Janjaweed, the rebel force responsible, yet the government does not even acknowledge the countless lives that have been lost since 2003. The genocide in Darfur is unique because it is the first mass killing to be called a genocide before it is over. This gives hope that the world is finally ready to prevent another Holocaust or another Rwanda. Regardless of efforts like the Darfur Now documentary, which effectively shows the legislative progress being made toward justice for all in Darfur, the murders still continue and show no sign of ceasing anytime soon.

Men on horses burn villages

Dear Refugee Supporter,

The UN Refugee Agency is providing humanitarian assistance to over 12,000 refugees from Darfur who recently fled their homes following a series of ground and air attacks on their villages.

Refugees report that their villages were attacked by men on horses and camels – most likely the Janjaweed militia. Villages were looted and burned, and encircled by militia to prevent people from fleeing. Thousands of families have been left destitute and terrified.

“The humanitarian situation of these people is disastrous,” said Jorge Holly, head of UNHCR’s field office in Guereda. “These people are terrified. Our team found a large number of unaccompanied minors and separated children among them. Women reported having been raped in Darfur.”

The newly arrived refugees say that many more—mostly women and children—are on their way to Chad. UNHCR is working to move these new refugees away from the volatile border region and into camps. Once settled in the camps UNHCR will provide relief items, including sleeping mats, blankets, jerry cans and kitchen sets.

This new influx of refugees from Darfur comes amid growing insecurity throughout the region. Last week the capital of Chad was attacked by rebel forces. Nearly 30,000 Chadians fled into Cameroon to escape the violence.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Coburn
Acting Executive Director
USA for UNHCR

In the News

** Spielberg in Darfur snub to China **
US filmmaker Steven Spielberg withdraws as an artistic adviser at the Olympics over China’s role in Darfur.
< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/7242016.stm >

I saw this story on the BBC News website and thought you should see it. Many celebrities are using their fame for good causes, which I respect, but Spielberg is actually sacrificing his career for a cause. It is nice to see something boycotted for a reason other than money. I encourage you to read this article (click the link above) and, although it sounds extreme, consider boycotting the 2008 Olympics until China withdraws its support of the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Ironically, China’s theme for this year’s Olympics is “One World, One Dream.” The Save Darfur campaign is pleading with China to “bring the dream to Darfur.”

**Turkey Divided over Headscarf Ban**
Turkey’s parliament has voted in favour of overturning a ban on the Islamic headscarf in universities.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7239330.stm

This story has made me think a lot about “secularization” and how skewed it has become. A Turkish university student was quoted saying that secularization is about democracy, and democracy is about making choices for oneself. He is exactly right. So why does it seem like it is taking rights away? I’m reminded of the prayer in school debate in the States. The government shouldn’t make anyone pray, but does that mean no one should be allowed to pray at all? So now Muslim girls can’t cover because it threatens the secular state. Who and what are they threatening with their modesty? Many are afraid of the full chador being worn if the headscarf is allowed. Ironically, in nearby nations, women are fighting for the right to not wear a full covering, as they see it as oppressive.
It seems that people are simply afraid of everything. They are afraid of theocracy, socialism and tyranny so they swing the pendulum the other direction and call it secularization. The country I live in is not secular; it is quite Muslim. Here it is illegal to convert to another religion. So call me an anarchist, but it seems to me that no matter where you live, the government always wants to control something or someone, secular or not.

Quotes To Live By

“Not all who wander are aimless, especially those who seek truth beyond tradition…beyond definition…beyond the image.” – Mona Lisa Smile

“We are born not once, but again and again.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” – Helen Keller

“Whatever of Thyself Thou hast been pleased to disclose, help me to search out as treasure more precious than rubies or the merchandise of fine gold: for with Thee shall I live when the stars of the twilight are no more and the heavens have vanished away and only Thou remainest.”
– A.W. Tozer

“To change for others is to lie to yourself.” – Unknown

“Live your life until love is found, or love’s gonna get you down.” – Mika