Bill Walz

America is boxed into a foreign-policy corner with the rising tensions and conflict in Tibet.

An historic, peaceful and noble independent people, conquered, occupied and brutally suppressed for 58 years, is resisting its Chinese oppressors.

The naked brutality of the occupation is leaking out to the world despite all attempts by China to block, control and spin news of what is occurring. Public opinion around the world is deeply sympathetic to the Tibetan people. The United States government has done next to nothing other than call for talks between Beijing and the Dalai Lama. Such talks are now under way, and so, this issue has slid from the American public’s eye.

Yet, scrutiny over our China policy ought not be slipped aside for the excitement (and shallowness) of Presidential politics. Those seeking the presidency should be questioned on what their China policy will be. Over 1.3 billion people (including six million Tibetans) live within China’s totalitarian political system. There is no freedom of speech, press, assembly or religion.

The results of China’s policies toward Tibet have left 1.2 million Tibetans dead, according to Tibetan exile groups, since the 1950 invasion (not including the current crisis). The death toll among Chinese at the hands of their government dwarfs this number. Persons who oppose this oppression are imprisoned, and often, executed.

It would seem that the United States would be in official condemnation of this record, and as with Cuba, be in a posture of economic blockade. Oh, but there is a catch. This behemoth so-called communist state is, in fact, China, Inc., functioning like a corporation. It is the world’s largest consumer of steel, concrete and copper. It is the second largest consumer of petroleum (a major reason why our gas prices are at record highs). It is the third largest importer and second largest exporter in the world, destined to lead all economic categories in the not-distant future, thanks largely to America’s willingness to sell our safety, well-being, manufacturing jobs and principles for cheap consumer products and corporate profits.

The Beijing government’s uncivil labor, environmental and trade policies, along with its brutal suppression of freedom among its own people, are ample reasons for America to have as little to do with swelling Beijing’s coffers as possible.

But now, with its aggression against Tibet nakedly displayed, compounded by its outrageous slander against the Dalai Lama, an actual prince of peace, if the American government isn’t going to do anything, perhaps its time for the American people to take foreign policy into their own hands — with their wallets. An American-citizen boycott of Chinese products and the coming Summer Olympics in Beijing might send a powerful message to the Chinese that if they want to play in the world of big economic powers, they better start behaving like a modern nation with principles shared by the international community.

The American government is beholden to American corporations. These corporations have ballooned their profits by sending many of our manufacturing jobs to China while financially hocking us to our eyeballs to Beijing.

Our foreign policy is now hostage to our economic policy. Our government is not going to do anything substantial. But the American people, whose dollars are keeping this whole tragedy afloat, can. Like any corporation, and that is what China has become, if customers boycott to protest greedy uncivil behavior, the corporation either changes its policies or goes bankrupt. Perhaps American consumers can influence which it will be.

A widespread American consumer boycott of goods made in China and the summer Olympic Games in Beijing might begin to accomplish what our government is too compromised to attempt. Perhaps the American people might bring pressures that could be an impetus for reform within the “Board Room” of China, Inc. and along the way, perhaps even persuade them to allow political and cultural autonomy, if not freedom, for Tibet.

It’s time the American people begin looking beyond the material excesses of our way of life to reconnect with some real values. “Free Tibet!” “Free the Chinese People from political tyranny!” “Free the American people from corporate erosion of our values!”

As the Dalai Lama would offer, “May all beings be free from suffering.” And as Buddhism teaches, happiness and freedom from suffering is not to be found in material possessions, but in basic human values.
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Bill Walz is a UNCA adjunct faculty member and a private practice teacher of mindfulness, personal growth and consciousness. He may be contacted through www.billwalz.com.