Protesters say exhibit sugarcoats Chinese rule, ignores struggle for freedom
By Kim Minugh
Driven by a desire to right what they see as a social wrong, proponents of a free Tibet sought closure Sunday of a popular State Fair exhibit in a characteristically Tibetan way.
They opted for peace, even in protest.
The message, however, was as loud as the screams coming from the magnificent midway: Chinese control of Tibet, and its cotton-candy portrayal in the fair exhibit, will not be tolerated.
“We’ll never give up until Tibet has its independence,” said Thupten Tsering, 33, of Oakland. “We’ll be everywhere.”
But the Chinese government was not the only target of about 20 protesters who filed into the “Folkways of Tibet” exhibit with little fanfare or commotion. Blame also fell upon the California State University, Sacramento, College of Continuing Education, which helped organize the exhibit.
The activists said the college failed to present a balanced exhibit on a controversial place. Instead, officials presented what many considered to be propaganda for the Chinese government.
Under Mao Zedong’s leadership, the Chinese army invaded Tibet in 1949. In 1959, the Dalai Lama fled to India, setting up a government in exile. Many Tibetans followed.
Since the invasion, as many as 1.2 million Tibetans have been killed at the hands of the Chinese government, and thousands more have been imprisoned, according to Students for a Free Tibet and the Tibet Justice Center.
College officials acknowledged they had underestimated the exhibit’s controversial nature, but said the ensuing debate was worthwhile.
The exhibit’s collection of artifacts came from the China Nationalities Museum, a government-funded museum in Beijing. A CSUS alumna in Beijing was among those who worked with Cal Expo officials to arrange for the collection’s Sacramento visit.
Though much of the exhibit focuses on aspects of Tibetan culture, such as food and religion, there is little to no indication of any turmoil as a result of China’s occupation of Tibet.
“A Trip to Tibet,” a Chinese documentary with English subtitles that plays in the exhibit’s corner, focuses heavily on the seemingly positive transformation of Tibet.
Several Tibetans compared the old and new ways of life. One praised the “especially big changes” seen; two others lauded the improved communications systems and modernized housing options.
“Had it not been for the Communist Party, this beautiful life now would not be possible,” says another Tibetan man.
The exhibit was too much for many.
“The idea that China has done so much, China has liberated Tibet – it’s completely bogus,” said Kalsang Tashi, 24, of Berkeley. “This (exhibit) is such a facade.”
Added insult came in the exhibit’s premise: a celebration of Tibet’s 40th anniversary as an autonomous region in China.
“It’s celebrating it like it was something that would be celebrated in Tibet, which is misguided at best,” said April Maynard, 53, of Auburn. “(It) is not cause for celebration.”
Maynard wore a “Free Tibet” T-shirt, while her peers wore others reading “CSU Exhibit Apologist for Chinese Rule in Tibet” and “Shame on CSU Sacramento.”
One banner said “No Communist Propaganda in CA.”
Kelsang Phuntsok, 30, of Sacramento lingered at the exhibit. He was wrapped in a Tibetan flag – a symbolic gesture that, he pointed out, could land you an 18-year jail sentence in Tibet.
Phuntsok lamented that Western authorities have largely ignored the Tibetan struggle for independence for fear of offending an economically important trade partner. The American news media also fails to address the issue adequately, he said, speculating that peaceful protest isn’t eye-catching.
“In a way, violence works. They get what they want,” he said.
“What we are asking is for the public to … put freedom before trade.”
After about an hour, California State Fair police cleared the demonstration. Chief Robert Craft said protests are not allowed on state property without previous arrangements.
The protestors left quietly, saying their intention was to educate, not disrupt.
Alice Tom, dean of CSUS’ College of Continuing Education, said the exhibit was meant to focus on culture instead of politics, and that the intent was to present an unbiased snapshot of Tibetan life.
She acknowledged that no officials had seen the materials before they were put on display, and that the matter could have been handled differently.
Nonetheless, Tom said she was glad the protest sparked discussion.
“I think we’ve created a platform for discussion,” she said.
“To me, as an educator, that’s been a success. We’ve created something for people to learn from.”
Sonney Chong, a former member of the Cal Expo board of directors, said he saw no reason for the exhibit to be taken down, even if the exhibit didn’t end up being apolitical, as envisioned.
“I would think (the protesters) would be happy. Until now, nobody (knew) anything about Tibet,” he said. “Some exposure is better than nothing.”
Unless that exposure feeds misperception, said Tsering.
“A lie is a lie. An injustice is an injustice,” he said. “When it comes to the Tibetan cause, it’s black and white.”
Unfortunately, CSUS’s Tom said, depicting culture in an unbiased way can be a bit more gray.
Next time the college is involved in such an exhibit, she said, there will be more information and more communication before it ever reaches the public.
