Free Tibet?

The Free Tibet movement seems to be getting a lot of attention lately. This has always been a cause of American, middle-class, suburban kids who wake up one day and discover that not everyone in the world is as lucky as they are. The question no one ever seems to ask is

"What is China's reason for not allowing a free Tibet?"

I'm guessing that your average suburban hippie kid just says that China is a country led by maniacs that wont let the Tibetans have their own country. Now, there is some truth to that, but think of it this way: Let's say that Florida decided to succeed from the United States. What do you think the US government's response to that would be. Tibet is a substantial slice of China (see the map)


Now, you may be saying that it's not the same because the Tibetans are an identifiable, unique nation. This is true, but there are dozens or even hundreds of similar groups throughout the world that are asking for the same thing, but few people in the US seem to know or care about them. What about the Kurds in northern Iraq, Turkey, and Iran? They are also a unique nation with their own history. There's also Chechnya in Russia. These are two of the better known. You hardly ever hear of people joining forces with either group for their independence.

I think that a lot of the focus in the US toward Tibet is due to the Dali Lama and the view of Tibetans as a nation of monks in orange outfits. Their culture appeals to us and they seem helpless from the images we see on TV. It may sound cruel, but I think the American response to Tibet would be far different if they wore suits or middle-eastern tribal clothes. The mystique of the monk's robes drive our sympathies there.

Update: Thanks to my friend Bela for this link: http://www.bustedtees.com/freetibet