Tibetan Americans
Hope in Exile
by Jesi A

History of Struggle in Tibet
-Tibet once a powerful trade-based empire, collapsed in 840 C.E. (8)
-In it's attempt to become a world power, the People's Republic of China claims Tibet, military rule
-Tibet has no army, no country comes to its aid
-"Too weak to defend itself, too strategic to be left alone, and unable to develop lasting alliances with powerful allies, Tibet met the fate of many small nations in the 20th century." Franklin Ng (8)
-Communists try to eradicate Tibetan Buddhism and culture by destroying monasteries
-In 1959 a failed revolt causes a crackdown on Tibetans. Dalai Lama, his goverment and thousands of Tibetans flee to Dharamsala, India (13)
-100,000 refugees live in India, Nepal and the US (8)

Who are Tibetan Americans?
-Top Tibetan Communities in the US in 1998
New York City, 860
Minneapolis/Saint Paul, 444
San Fransisco, 224
Madison, 182
-The New York Associate for New Americans: most of the initial 1000 refugees in 1990 were skilled artisans or laborers.
-Smaller number of teachers, nurses, doctors, accountants and students
-Since 1995, many Tibetans have upgraded their skills and education in the US (6)
-In 2000, there were 200 Tibetan American students in Minneapolis/St Paul schools (9)

Lives of Tibetan Americans
-Thupten Dadak, one of the first two Tibetans in Minnesota in 1985, a pillar of the Tibetan community
-Founded the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota, binding the community and organizing events
-He houses 10-30 new immigrants in his home at any time (3)

-Tsultim Tsagong, lived in US for three years, raised in India
-Earned a master's degree in English Literature, headmaster of an Indian high school. His degree has no value here; he has returned to school with hopes to re-earn the degree and teach here
-Works two jobs to finance his and his sister's education (10)

-Chhiring Sherpa has lived in Berkley for 10 years, acts as a "big sister" to young Tibetan Americans
-"It's everyone's responsibility to make sure kid's grow up okay."
-Hopes to finish her bachelor's degree: "If I have an education, I can help my community." (6)

Connected to Community
-Tibetan Americans stay connected to government in Dharamsala via elected representatives and local Offices of Tibet (6)
-Support of established Asian American communities: Asian Indians in Chicago helped 100 incoming Tibetans settle. Community leader Amrish Mahajan, originally of Dharamsala says they have a "responsibility to extend our generosity to the... Tibetans." (5)

Problems in America
-Nawang Phuntsog's groundbreaking study of Tibetan students in MN schools
-"Serious adjustment problems"
-"Inability to develop friendships with ethnically different students"
-Recommends involving Tibetan culture in curriculum: teaching multiculturalism, Asian history, colonialism, social activism (9)
-Tibetan elders fear their youth will be sucked into gang activity, as other Asian American youths have been (3)
-Problems in the workplace such as language barriers, different clothing and food requirements, religious differences
-Abbott Northwestern Hospital has been praised for its respect and accomidation of 200 Tibetan employees (14)

Keeping the Culture Alive
-Celebrated 10 years of community in Minnesota with dance, music, artwork, lectures (1)
-2001 was the anniversary of 39 years of Tibetan democracy; Tibetan Americans helped elect first prime minister, or Kalen Tripa (11)
-Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota organized the Twin Cities' International Human Rights Day event, complete with Tibetan monks chanting at St Mary's Bascilica (4)
-2000 Tibetans and supporters stood at the Minnesota state capitol in 1998 wearing black cloth over their mouths to symbolize the suppression of free speech in Tibet. Only 600 Tibetans in MN at the time: a young, strong, supported community (12)
-Tibetans were roused and inspired by the Dalai Lama's visit to the Twin
Cities in 2001; thousands lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the spiritual and political leader as he rode by (2)

Hope for the Future
-Tibetan Americans like Chhiring Sherpa prefer living in the US to their former home in India (6)
-Tsultim Tsagong hopes that someday, after Tibet gains independence from China, he will be able to return to his homeland (10)
-Tibetans, along with allies, protest China's control and fight for indepencance, even from across the globe

1. "A Celebration of Tibet to Be Held." Asian Pages, 30 November 2002: 3.

2. Hughes, Art. "The Dalai Lama Arrives." Minnesota Public Radio, 7 May 2001.

3. Hughes, Art. "Tibetans in Minnesota: Preserving Their Culture." Minnesota Public Radio, 7 May 2001.

4. "International Human Rights Day Commemoration Held." Asian Pages, 31 December 2001: 15.

5. Kampoor, Nand. "Indians Offer to Help Resettle Tibetan Refugees." News India, 3 July 1992: 45.

6. Lowe, Justin. "Exiled to America." Asian Pages, 2 April 1998: 1.

7. Mackerras, Colin, editor. Dictionary of the Politics of the People's Republic of China. New York, NY: Routledge, 1998.

8. Ng, Franklin. The Asian American Encyclopedia. North Bellmoore, NY: Marshall Cavendish Corperation, 1995.

9. Phuntsog, Nawang. "Immigrant Tibetan Children in US Schools: An Invisible Minority Group." Multicultural Perspectives, 2000: 17.

10. Sigmund, Suzanne. "Profile: Determined Tibetan Making His Way in USA." Asian Pages, 14 October 1995: 9.

11. "Tibetan Democracy Day is September 2: Local Community to Celebrate 39 Years of Democracy in Exile." Asian Pages, 14 September 2001: 7.

12. "Tibetans Commemorate Anniversary at Minnesota State Capitol." Asian Pages, 14 April 1998: 7.

13. Yi, Li. "Tibet." East Asia and the United States. James I. Matray, editor. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2002.

14. Zander, David. "Tibetans Speak on Workplace Diversity at TCALMC Conference." Asian Pages, 31 December 2001: 3.

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