Understand Chinese issues, culture before judging it
When I studied in Beijing, I had eight Tibetan classmates. And like most Chinese friends, I have much concern about Tibetan issues. However, many Americans neglect that Tibet has been part of China for more than 700 years, which makes me disappointed. As a believer in peace, I’d like to share my opinion of the Tibetan issues.
First, is it really a simple protest? Terrorists in Tibet set fire to shops, schools and houses and bribed citizens to protest against the police. Their intention is to arouse the world’s attention, which they’ll use to force the Olympic Games to fail and separate China.
Second, does China really mistreat the Tibetan people? China helps Tibet build hospitals, schools and roads, which greatly improve the lives of Tibetans. For example, according to The Indian Express, the infant mortality rate in Tibet has dropped from 43 percent in the 1950s to about 3 percent in 2004.
Third, before you criticize one person, walk a mile in his or her shoes. A documentary about the American Civil War says if the U.S. was divided into two countries, it also could be divided into three or four countries. Actually, most people, including both Americans and Chinese, don’t want their country to be fractured into pieces.
I’d rather welcome people to visit China and better understand China, including Tibet, instead of only reading news from the media. It’s better for us to open our eyes and hearts to see Tibetan history, its reality and future.
Langhua Hu
applied mathematics graduate student
Published on Sunday, March 30, 2008
Speakers should spark worthy discussions, not false ideas
On Tuesday, MSU’s Young Americans for Freedom brought a self-proclaimed reformed terrorist named Walid Shoebat to campus. In my opinion, bringing such controversial speakers often causes the free speech debate to resurface. While the right to free speech should be protected and promoted, especially in an academic climate, it is critical to allow all viewpoints into the discussion, and the incredibly important implications of such inflammatory speech rarely are considered.
In this instance, the content of the Shoebat speech promotes a tense climate on campus that doesn’t foster learning. Making such blanket statements as, “the Muslim community doesn’t condemn terrorism,” establishes a university atmosphere that is detrimental to all students because it promotes completely unfounded suspicion toward others. Instead of bringing speakers who adversely contribute to MSU in this way, it would be infinitely more beneficial to foster true academic discussion. This could be achieved by inviting speakers who are highly qualified to speak on such topics and to use precise language when doing so.
Instead, Shoebat’s rhetoric essentialized large groups of people, and in doing so, is counterproductive at truly addressing a legitimate concern regarding the safety of American lives because it marginalizes mainstream voices. As students at MSU, we must be aware of the implications of the presence of speakers like Shoebat on our campus. Such events should encourage us to overcome such hostility by constantly striving for a more inclusive community.
Nada Zohdy
international relations and comparative cultures and politics sophomore (and a YDS member!)
Published on Sunday, March 30, 2008
Real ID Act infringes on state rights, individual freedoms
The Real ID Act is set to go into action beginning in May. This is the most dangerous and egregious attack on our civil liberties yet forced upon us. If I am forced to carry a driver’s license with an RFID chip in it, I will burn it in the same manner that our forefathers burnt their draft cards.
Write to the governor, state senators and state representatives. It will be up to the states to assert the rights of the individual above that of the self-anointed federal government. The threat of terrorism is a tool for the government to induce complaisant fear in us. I would rather serve an indefinite jail sentence than be complicit in the abrogation of our most precious freedoms. I am ashamed of anyone who remains willfully ignorant of this treasonous initiative.
Dan Jakeway
electrical engineering and mathematics senior
Published on Sunday, March 30, 2008
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