Teakdoor World History and Social Sciences Forum
We really don't have a history forum {per se} within the halls of TD, do we? Sure, we discuss and carry on exchaging historical content in assorted threads and whatnot - but it usually gets lost as a sub-topic or lack of maintenance. Here is our chance to promote a historical-based free for all. Welcomed, would be one's perspective, inquiries, questions, debates, controversies, orthodoxies, cognitive biases and subjectivities, speculation, criticisms, and much more. As I've intergrated a broad Social Science theme to the mix {Archaeology, Anthropology, Literature, Geography, Political Sciences, Economic & Political Studies, Communications, Sociology, etc, etc. All in historic or historiograhic content of course. This should be quite enjoyable, as we have some very bright and insightful members and again have membership that belong to the ridgid convention. Historic content, historic perspective, and historic dispositions have long been debated and discussed. Let's go at it. Have fun and peace to all of you.;)
Tibet, China, and Fashionable Public Opinion
"Save Tibet", I'm always hearing. I've got a wee bit of bug up my arse about the seemingly false and hypocrtical visions that some have towards the China in Tibet debate. The well-known American actor Richard Gere {example} comes to mind in where he speaks of a current and desperate situation in Tibet, but don't have a clue about Tibet cultural history {even contemporary}. And less we forget the beloved and hypnotic notion of the Dalai Lama {a shrewd politician}, whose consistent attention getting publicity is shameless and the general politics and human rights issues that surround this topical mandate. Granted, I'm surely not Sino-centric towards my harsh criticisms of the brutal and barbaric happenings in Tibet put upon by the Beijing government. Historic points can be argued 'til kingdom come. But the historic comparative that I use to point out the realities of a better society in contemporary Tibet is twofold. Outside of their general suppression, the Chinese have aided the Tibetan people greatly. For Tibet, a Buddhists Kingdom for centuries, was well into the late 1940s an extreme feudal social system without the wherewithall to change. Serfdom slavery was common place for 85% of the population, where class-divided models were steadfast reflective of Oligarchial nobles and clerics. An extreme down-trodden existence with no chance to escape. When we talk to save Tibet, we need to ask ourselves: Save it from what....??
A Bibliography of Japan in English-Language Verse of the Early 20th-Century
If one follows cross-cultural literature critique, this site might be of interest. David Ewick of Chuo University {Tokyo} and Tokyo Women's Christian University has painstakingly compiled a heafty tome in bibliographic form. Japonisme, Orientalism, Modernism: A Critical Bibliography of Japan in English-Language Verse
Blacked Out Through Whitewash
A little different spin on conventional historic orthodoxies - please to be open when absorbing such material. Makes for fascinating treaties by challenging the status quo.... SUZAR: Contents:Blacked Out Through Whitewash, by SuZar