Saturday, October 9, 2010

Liu Xiaobo and life in general

Hey Everyone!

I've finished taking my LSAT for the second time, and now the waiting game has begun.  I get to research law schools in NC (there are only 7!) and figure out which ones to apply to.  I've been looking around the Triangle area for potential law schools, and there are three that are public.

Okay, enough about me.  Since I've said that this blog would have a focus on human rights issues because of my interest in the topic, I've decided that I need to actually write something about it.  Well, just yesterday, Friday, October 8th, Liu Xiaobo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  For those who don't know, Liu was a fervent supporter of human rights in China, and was constantly in and out of jail because of his opposition to the Chinese government.  He was a staunch supporter of the students in the Tiananmen Square protest and participated in their hunger strike.  He was arrested for that and then released, became a college professor, and then arrested again within the last 10 years and sentenced to serve 11 years in prison for undermining governmental authority through his vocal opposition of the current (and very oppressive) Chinese government's policies.  What is also important to note is that all of his efforts were non-violent.  That is, he never participated in a violent protest, nor did he ever advocate violence.  He always advocated for peaceful protest.  He is also the first Chinese citizen to be awarded the prize (note: first Chinese citizen, not the first ethnically Chinese person).

In my opinion, he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for all of his efforts to support human rights in China.  Having taken a sociology class about China taught by a professor from China, I have a little understanding about the issues that go on there.  Granted, I'll never be able to fully understand the issues because I'm not from China, but I do hope that I can help others to understand something about the human rights abuse that goes on in the country that is supposed to "ensure the public's safety" and "keep the peace."

I know that I'll never be able to do Liu justice in retelling his life and achievements, so I've included several links below for those who want to learn more about his life and such.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jy5n5CDcoNHrqOk6ZihXwoOSuHxgD9IOA96O0?docId=D9IOA96O0

http://mobile.latimes.com/wap/news/text.jsp?sid=294&nid=24321709&cid=16692&scid=-1&ith=1&title=World

http://www.euronews.net/2010/10/08/liu-xiaobo-s-lifetime-struggle-for-democracy/

Enjoy, everyone!

Si quieres paz, lucha por la justica.  (If you want peace, work for justice) (Pope John Paul II)

Maria

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