The Olympics are closing in. As I predicted some time ago on this blog, human rights stories and arguments, posturing on both sides, violent protests in Western China, etc., are starting to take place and heat up . This includes protests in “that place” (hereinafter referred to as “__” as I want to stay online in China).

Has The Great Unraveling in China begun, as some have predicted would come? If so I would be surprised, but time will tell.

I have followed the __ issue somewhat over the years, read a fair bit about it, and candidly, I am still undecided as to where “truth” in this mess lies and dispute?

For example:

Pro-Separation and recent WSJ and NY Times articles and YouTube segment on recent protests and clashes on T:

• China Terrorizes __

• __ and the Olympics

• Activists Take Stand in Torch Relay’s Path

• __ and China: A History of Conflict

• Unrest in __ Puts Tourism on Hold

• Monks Protest Outside Labrang Monestery

Anti-Separation and recent YouTube video, “__ Was, Is, and Always Will Be a Part of China”

Both sets of materials are thought provoking, both sets of materials contain some elements of fact, both sets also contain pieces of propaganda, and both pieces draw conclusions that have merit and others that are not based on credible, unbiased facts to support their position. In other words, both sets of materials are pretty normal “__ for Dummies” pieces. Whichever side you may support, I hope you dig deeper.

One of the better pieces I have read that helped me try to get up to speed on the __ issue, to the extent a non-Chinese or non-__ person even can, was a chapter in John Bryant Starr’s book, Understanding China: A Guide To China’s Economy, History and Political Culture. You might check it out for your Spring book review. It’s one of the books on your book review list. It may also help you better understand the position of both sides to this debate. In my view its a reasonably balanced book.

Then, once/if you are 100 percent sure where truth in this __ mess and dispute lies, and, you are able to back it up with historically verified and uniformly accepted facts (not conclusions), please send me your piece and I look forward to reading it.   Until then, I will continue to have to heed Mark Twain’s advice.

By the way, think back to Dr. Morris’ very good lecture on Chinese history Fall quarter. You will recall that he talked about a number of facets of China we are now seeing come to life through the __ debate and protests. Whether you realize it, at this point in time if you have rolled up your sleeves, jumped in, and done the work and heavy lifting in this course thus far, you really do now know more than 90 (perhaps 99?) percent of America when it comes to China, just by having spent a some time each quarter trying to get your hands and head around the different faces of the place.

I welcome your thoughts, but note that on this post I reserve the write to edit and in an extreme case even delete your comments, if needed, in a way so as to maximize the likelihood that this blog stays online in China during these controversial times. I do not want to lose readership of this blog and comments on this blog in China, and even the emails I get from readers in China, as they have much to offer our course and learning experience.  So please choose your words carefully.  Thanks.