His Holiness and the singer
“T1bet, T1bet.” There! I said it. And so, more infamously, did Bjork during the performance of her song Declare Independence at a concert in Shanghai last week. I’ve been waiting for the dust to settle before writing anything on the subject, being of the opinion that there really shouldn’t have been any dust at all. If you think your sensitivities can withstand the offence, you can listen to this grave insult here .
The rather stereotypical online outrage contrasted nicely with the silence of the Chinese media, leaving it to the western press and some of the more intelligent Sino-bloggers to discuss the issue with a modicum of objectivity and common sense. Danwei’s blog on the issue drew many interesting comments and a few stupid ones.
Needless to say the dust was created by the predictable foot-stamping and petulance from Beijing. Was there really any need for an official response to this tiny piece of artistic anarchy? Bono used to call The White House to diss the president during concerts; Bjork cries T1bet. So what? Surely there was no need for condemnation and reprisals.
Alas, the Ministry of Culture (acting under orders, no doubt) showed us the way of the tantrum by promising to tighten controls on future visitors’ artistic expression. Although China’s official media didn’t mention Bjork’s performance, this broadside appeared in the state mouthpiece China Daily. Here’s a snippet:
The Dalai Lama has never stopped plotting to separate T1bet from China since he betrayed the country, Zhang, secretary of the T1bet Autonomous Region Committee of the Communist Party of China, said on the sidelines of the ongoing session of the National People’s Congress, the top legislature.
“I have never heard that the Dalai Lama has refrained from wanting to split T1bet from China … We will never tolerate those who are set on such activities”
So now it seems that Bjork has been identified as an agent acting on behalf of that epitome of cosmic evil, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. And Secretary Zhang appears very comfortable using the word T1bet without fear of trampling on the sensibilities of 1.3 billion people. Yes, alright, there’s the context surrounding Bjork’s utterance to consider - and she’s a foreigner - but for pity’s sake; will China’s top brass please grow up!
In the spirit of maturity, might I also suggest that Beijing seriously reconsiders using the phrase hurt the feelings of the Chinese people whenever a foreigner expresses an opinion that differs from the party line. Sure, it once provided light entertainment on quiet afternoons in the office, but this pathetic line of text has a fun curve that leveled off two decades ago. More importantly, perhaps, it’s simply not true.
Let’s take a trek into the foothills on the outskirts of Lhasa and ask those living there if their feelings have been hurt by this shameful outburst. Then let’s pop over to Urumqi and interview the locals about how terribly upset they must be with Bjork. Finally, choose any province at random, ride out into the sticks and ask the villagers and farmers how they can live with the pain and anguish caused by Icelandic insensitivity.
It’s testament to Chinese stoicism that anyone in the Middle Kingdom has been able to complete a day’s work since Bjork’s shocking verbal insult. A nation convalesces. If I had any of her albums I’d burn them in the name of solidarity. I’m beginning to get upset just thinking about it. Really, my feelings are hurt. Life will never be the same again.
As for T1betan independence, only the dreamers and those under the influence of mind altering substances can visualize that as a reality. I’m not sure whether or not His Holiness draws on a spliff in the evening, but I’m certain he’s smart enough to know that T1bet is firmly in Beijing’s grip, whether the T1betans (or anyone else) likes it or not. This is why he has himself acknowledged as much and sought dialogue with Beijing over the degree of autonomy that T1bet should enjoy as part of China.
Sadly, I can’t see a homecoming for the great man being allowed anytime soon. The fiercely jealous CCP couldn’t tolerate the outpouring of love, respect, and attention that would be waiting for His Holiness when he touched T1betan soil for the first time in half a century. For the same reason, any citizen caught displaying an image of this Noble Peace Prize winner in T1bet can be certain of suffering punitive consequences.
The solution? Adorn your monastery walls, your prayer flags, and your living room tables with images of the Dalai Lama’s singing disciple. After all, who in their right mind could possibly take offence at Bjork?
Update
Hundreds of monks have taken part in demonstrations to commemorate the anniversary of the 1959 uprising against Chinese occupation. There were some clashes with police and many arrests. Read more here. Where was Bjork when they needed her?