NOTE10011

Catastrophe Chic

emember the late 1980s
dhists were facing near genocide? The
when benefit concerts were
same place the world was only 10 years
all the rage, from Live-Aid,
earlier during the Holocaust: absent.
A lot of money was raised at the
which helped people starving
concert, and many people who went in
in Africa, to Farm-Aid, which helped
search of purely a good time were edu-
farmers stricken by a drought? It
cated about the situation. But in addi-
seemed as though America was finally
tion to the world taking so
awakened from a drugged
long to wake up to this chic
slumber that lasted from the
cause, I have a problem with
end of the Vietnam War.
celebrities acting as spokes-
;tmenca began to stand up for
people for certain crusades.
causes again.
Remember, these people are
For Jews, whose culture is
famous not for their
driven by social action, it was
advanced education or expe-
a great thing. As a college stu-
rience in world affairs, but
dent I enjoyed watching the
rather for their acting or
these '60s throwback rallies.
singing abilities.
College students were
AND REW
How can we forget Vanes-
going beyond just attending
BUE
RGER
sa Redgrave rambling on live
benefit concerts; they were
Spec ial to
at the 1977 Academy
Aolding campus rallies against
The Jew ish News Awards in support of the
oppression — the Soviet
Palestine Liberation Organi-
Union, the Sandinistas and
zation? In this month's issue of George,
apartheid. The Jewish community,
a national political magazine, Bruce
which has always stood up and made
its voice be heard, worked to free Soviet Willis, the popular action thriller actor-
turned-scholar, talked about supporting
Jewry, to airlift Ethiopian Jews and sup-
Nation of Islam leader Louis Far-
port Israel.
rakhan: "He is raising his voice against
Last weekend 120,000 people
inequality. Anyone who stands up
swarmed into RFK Stadium in Wash-
against injustice is a hero of mine."
ington, D.C., over two days for the
Tibetan Freedom Concert. The atten-
dees were treated to the country's top
performers — the Dave Matthews
Band, Pearl Jam and RE.M., among
many others — while showing their
support for the Tibetans who lost their
homeland in 1950 under Chinese
occupation. Between acts, the audience
\ was educated about the Tibetans' plight
/and how to help. It was a timely event
given President Clinton's upcoming
trip to China.
I applaud the efforts of raising
money and consciousness in an attempt
to return autonomy or at least religious
freedom to the Tibetan Buddhists. This
It's unfortunate that often, as was
is a cause that Jews around the world
the case with the Richard Gere-induced
can appreciate. Adam Yauch, a Jewish
\ member of the Beastie Boys, was one of Free Tibet movement, so many people
have to die before a cause becomes
'the event's chief organizers. (Check out
popular. Five decades ago the Jews did-
his Milarepa Fund for Tibet on the
n't attract much popular support dur-
Internet, at wwwanilarepa.org or call
ing the Holocaust. And, only five years
1-888-MILAREPA.)
ago, the world was shamefully quiet
I am having a little trouble, though,
when the Muslims and Croats were
jumping on the Free Tibet bandwagon.
being slaughtered in Bosnia. Many
Don't get me wrong; I think it's a great
Jews, including Nobel Prize winner Elie
cause. I guess my problem is after
Wiesel cried out to help the Muslims
almost 50 years and an estimated 1.2
and Croats. Mr. Wiesel even took the
'million Tibetans killed as a result of the
opportunity at the opening of the U.S.
Chinese occupation, the cause has
Holocaust Memorial Museum, which
become chic, finally, after it was sup-
memorializes the Jewish genocide, to
ported by celebrities. Where was the
remind the world of its collective
world in 1950 when the Tibetan Bud-
responsibility in Bosnia.
Andrew Buerger is an executive vice
It's too bad Elie Wiesel can't act or
president of the Jewish News Group of
sing.
Waterspout Communications LLC

Where was the
world in 1950
when the Tibetan
Buddhists were
facing near
genocide?

.

❑

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