Björk gets banned from China
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Topic: Björk gets banned from China
Posted By: Passionist
Subject: Björk gets banned from China
Date Posted: July 18 2008 at 10:25
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I read this today, they actually took it up so high. To put a long story short, Björk performed the song "Declare Independence"in Shanghai, and at some point chanted the words "Tibet, Tibet", which was noted by some of the fans. So after a round of discussion in the internet, the media got interested, and it didn't take long for them to take measures. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/05/china.musicnews - http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/05/china.musicnews Here's, if you just want to see the video: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/video/2008/mar/04/bjork - http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/video/2008/mar/04/bjork Well the song was originall dedicated to the Faroe Islands and Greenland, and later one, as she performed, she used to dedicate it to Kosovo.
What do you think of this? I personally, having a lot of respect for this artist must raise my hat. If not for the case, for the influence, since the Tibet case is not very close to my heart at the moment. But is Björk doing the right thing or is she being selfish as some say? And are Chinas actions justified? |
Replies:
Posted By: npjnpj
Date Posted: July 18 2008 at 11:11
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I'd say that it would be anyone's personal choice, as it's clear that there will be reprisals if protest is formulated. In view of this I'd say it was a pretty ballsy thing to do. Did the organisors really believe that China could be chosen and there wouldn't be any trouble concering human rights issues, regardless of Tibet?
On the one hand, it's weird that the games are held in that repressive country, on the other hand...dah, who cares, it's all rigged by pharmas anyway.
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Posted By: The T
Date Posted: July 18 2008 at 14:31
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It may be a ballsy thing to do (she's an artist anyway.. she knows the government -China's- can't actually harm her... so it's not as ballsy as if a normal unknown would've done that), but in the end China has all the right to ban her from saying that. Now, I oppose the Cinhese government and its ocupation of Tibet, but seeing everything just from a logical and law point of view, she said something were she shouldn't have, therefore she's banned.
About the Olympics, yes, I don't understand why they give them to China (I know... economical reasons.... the mighty money will always destroy any other "higher" principle)... ------------- 
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Posted By: Hirgwath
Date Posted: July 18 2008 at 15:08
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I believe in the principle of self-determination, and I think it's pretty clear that the Tibetans mostly want independence. The fact is that most Chinese people don't contemplate the Tibet situation a lot, unless they have to deal with lots of Western pressure about it. They sort of regard Tibet as an ungrateful beneficiary of China's recent success. Bjork deserves to be commended. And it's China's loss...Bjork is awesome. ------------- Skwisgaar Skwigelf: taller than a tree. Toki Wartooth: not a bumblebee. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: July 18 2008 at 15:20
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I didn't need more reason to boycott the Olympics in China, but I make a vow not to attend an sporting events there. I'm also planning to boycott Vancouver's Winter Olympics, but that's for different reasons. Good for her for speaking out. Just an interesting article: China: Olympics Media Freedom Commitments Violatedhttp://china.hrw.org/press/news_release/china_olympics_media_freedom_commitments_violated - http://china.hrw.org/press/news_release/china_olympics_media_freedom_commitments_violated------------- Just a fanboy passin' through. |
Posted By: crimson87
Date Posted: July 19 2008 at 17:42
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And this is the new superpower to come , I take the good ol' US any day. |
Posted By: mithrandir
Date Posted: July 19 2008 at 19:42
Bjork is my hero in more ways than one! 
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Posted By: Jozef
Date Posted: July 19 2008 at 22:01
| China's belief that it harms "national unity" is laughable. As I recall, Tibet didn't ask to become part of China, they were forced to at gunpoint. |
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: July 19 2008 at 22:45
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I honestly can't care less for her music, bu what she did deserves universal recognition..
Bravo, that's the way.
 Iván ------------- 
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Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: July 20 2008 at 05:55
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China My China, the worst of capitalism and communism combined, and yet in culture and cuisine, amazing contributions. "In the haze of the morning, China sits on Eternity And the opium farmers sell dreams to obscure fraternities On the horizon the curtains are closing Down in the orchard the aunties and uncles play their games (like it seems they always have done) In the blue distance the vertical offices bear their names (like it seems they always have done) Clocks ticking slowly, dividing the day up These poor girls are such fun they know what God gave them fingers for (to make percussion over solos) ... I remember a man who jumped out from a window over the bay (there was hardly a raised eyebrow) The coroner told me 'This kind of thing happens every day' You see, from a pagoda, the world is so tidy." Brian Eno Now I'm wondering if Eno has been banned for this song or if singing it would get someone banned... ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: stonebeard
Date Posted: July 20 2008 at 17:36
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I've always found her "statements" (swan dress) to be at least silly, often stupid. It's not like this wasn't expected. China will fall into democracy sooner or later, but any sort of nationalism repels me, so I don't like their actions.
------------- http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want! |