This is the big story today so I am not going to rehash it, except to say that I very much doubt there will be widespread unrest; the government is taking no chances, and large areas of Western China are effectively under martial law. Even in tiny and relatively peaceful Zhongdian (the so-called “Shangri-la County” in Northwest Yunnan) there were several truckloads of soldiers being moved into position while we were there last week. The airwaves and print media in China are filled with stories emphasizing the Han Chinese version of Τibetan history at the expense of any other possible perspective, and the propaganda machine is hard at work splicing footage of happy, dancing (because in the world according to CCTV, what else can minorities really do except dance?) Τibetans grateful for the blessings bestowed upon them by the Chinese Communist Party.
Some of the Tibetan villagers we stayed with last week had posters of Chairman Mao and Deng Xiaoping and spoke of the benefits of Chinese modernization, while others secretly displayed photos of the Dalai Lama and wished for his return. Unsurprisingly, given the enormous complexity of this issue, there were a wide range of views even in just one tiny village. It would be nice if all Τibetan voices could be heard on this day, regardless of what those voices might have to say, because for too long the debate has been framed by the likes of Hu Jintao and Richard Gere.
That won’t happen, of course. In fact, the CCP media blitz, so confident in its historical legitimizing of the CCP answer to the Τibetan question, and the “I do believe she doth protest too much” deluge of happy Τibetans on CCTV, is strangely at odds with the less-publicized (at least domestically) decisions to flood Τibetan areas with military/police and to prohibit outside journalists from traveling to those areas. It’s all starting to seem vaguely familiar:
All is well, indeed.
The Historical Record for March 10, 2009: 50th Anniversary of the Τibetan Uprising and the Six Degrees of the CC.. http://tinyurl.com/cmjo32
“because in the world according to CCTV, what else can minorities really do except dance?”
Wonderful.
I’m pretty sure that China’s Tibetan propaganda was the template for the dancing military generals who were shown celebrating their opportunity to ‘vote’ for Kim Jong Il a few days ago. Don’t suppose CCTV showed that, either.
“because in the world according to CCTV, what else can minorities really do except dance?”
They can wear minority costumes and smile! My favorite minority costume moment is the obligatory photograph of minority candidates showing up at the NPC.
And dance they do. Former students @ Zhongyang were forced into it for the Losar celebration. Happy, happy, happy. It’ official.
The CCP should not have much to fear. If I were them I would bring the Dalai Lama back (on China’s terms of course), outperform and outshine the TGIE. Maybe take a page from the American play book, set up reservations, pour a lot of money into building more schools, better infrastructure, setting up liquor stores and casinos perhaps. Spiritually you are free to worship the Dalai Lama and practice Tibetan school of Buddhism; materially you give people jobs and keep people happy and intoxicated.
On a similar but non-dancing note: I seriously think that if minority NPC delegates are required to wear their traditional outfits then Han Chinese should also. Imagine how much fun that would be!
@Pfeffer: I believe John Lennon put it most succinctly: “Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV”. A quick scan of the world and its history show’s that’s a pretty efficient method.
There is nothing wrong for minority people to make living honestly in tourist industry, even if it means singing, dancing, or putting on your native clothes to please tourists. Think these clothes as your work uniforms.
StP,
There’s a fair body of literature on the process by which minority peoples in (post) colonial situations are exoticized/essentialized, including through so-called “cultural” tourism and media representations. There’s also the process some scholars, reworking Said, have labeled “internal Orientalism.” I’d suggest checking some of this research out.
Jeremiah,
I do not deny there are side effects in ethnic tourist industry. But overall minority people who live in tourist areas and participate in tourist industry are way better off than the ones living in isolated regions with limited contact with Han Chinese. I assume your travel in Yunnan province proves my point. Ask a Tibetan tour guide in Shangrila Songzanlin Monastery or a Naxi travel agent in Lijiang Old Town whether they want to return to their village to raise yaks.