a touch of color
a touch of color
Posted by e. (New York, NY, United States) on 20 October 2007 in Documentary & Street.
On Wednesday, October 17, the 14th Dalai Lama was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of his efforts for peace, nonviolence, and universal acceptance. The next few photos will be of that event.
Since it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, I went as early as possible, which ended up being around 12. From 11-1, there were Tibetan performers, so there weren't a lot of people for that. At 1, the official ceremony began inside of the Capitol, with the proceedings broadcast on a screen on the West Lawn. Then, at 2:30, the Dalai Lama was scheduled to come outside and speak to all those who had congregated.
When I got there around 12, I was overwhelmed by how many people were present. This photo is only a small section of the entire lawn, and would end up only being about a fifth of the people who would sit in that section. It was astounding that one man could influence so many people, that so many people could unconditionally worship him to the point of coming from all over the country, even out of the country, to see this man and honor him.
edit// The title for this photo was originally "thousands for one man," but as juant3 pointed out, "I think this picture could've had your site title, "A Touch of Color", since one can see the great mix of cultures here, which indeed makes the USA!"
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Photo taken at the Capitol on October 17, 2007.
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. - Albert Einstein
Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies. - Shawshank Redemption
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
That's wonderful e., I'm looking very forward to that collection...good girl ;)
ps my photo today was changed to accompany a text I wrote about the prob I'm having with my computer, so I wanted to thank you for today's visit and comment, even though it isn't there anymore LOL
20 Oct 2007 10:15am
Shuva Brata Deb from Hyderabad, India
Looks like the weather was also quite pleasant for a family outing.
20 Oct 2007 10:45am
Me , Myself & Eye from The WAY BEYOND,
just think about how many people worshiped Hitler .... at least this Man spreads PEACE and not TIRANY !! ..... cool perspective on this shot ..... I would love to get down to the Capital for some shots , but I hate driving down there and parking sucks ...lol... maybe the Metro would be a good alternative .... I could hire e. to be our tour guide ....lol
20 Oct 2007 7:31pm
@Me , Myself & Eye: Haha that sounds like it would be fun. Let me know if you ever do come by. I'd love to show you around. :)
Amir from Iran
I love your picture and very nice indeed. I do respect all the people but giving Medal Of Honor to a man that seeks to separate Tibet (Part of China) from its origin is not honorable.
I am here on the Chinese side. This administration have done more to harm the US interest than all other administrations combined. This was one step in the wrong direction.
What would US feel if China gives Medal Of Honor to a separatist leader, who is seeking Hawaiian independence?
20 Oct 2007 8:41pm
@Amir: I'm sorry, but I will have to disagree with you. The 14th Dalai Lama is known for changing the Tibetan attitude towards China. He advocates what is known as the "Middle Way." He acknowledges the Chinese government and rule, but simply wants religious and cultural autonomy for his people. This is a man who has been exiled from his home for half a century, simply because he is a religious figure, and the Chinese are afraid that he will lead the Tibetans into rebellion. He simply wants to go home so he can be with his people and they can live in peace under Chinese rule.
Richard_Irwin from Belper, United Kingdom
The Dalai Lama always draws a crowd. I once visited Dharansala, where he resides in exhile, but although he often speaks to the visitors, I didn't get a chance to meet him.
20 Oct 2007 9:32pm
juant3 from Bremen, Germany
Hey e. This is very interesting that you share such pictures since I am no longer on the states, which means, I am not able to participate in such events. I think this picture could've had your site title, "A Touch of Color", since one can see the great mix of cultures here, which indeed makes the USA!
Regarding the Dalai Lama, I find it sad that the government of China can not just let this man live in his own country in peace but that also tries to manipulate his live by making threats of stopping relations to the other countries which meet with him!
But then again, when I think about it, today we live in a big sandbox where many of the big boys (governments) are threating each other to gain control over the rest of us... Cheers!!!
20 Oct 2007 10:46pm
@juant3: Good point out for the title. I'm going to change it I think. :)
Rebecca from Leicester, United Kingdom
Wow, e., hot point for discussion here. Good on you for today’s picture and post! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Maybe it’s something I haven’t quite shaken off from my legal practice years in civil/commercial cases, but I believe it is important we hear both sides of the argument before attempting to draw a conclusion on an issue. I must say, from what I’ve come across on the Dalai lama side and on the Chinese side, whilst I have my share of gripes about the Chinese government, certainly!, I also have my doubts on the integrity of the Dalai lama position. Btw, an interesting layman’s discussion of the issue can be found at this link. Though published on the site of what appears to be a Chinese mouthpiece, I found the comments section, on both sides of the issue, as interesting (albeit rather vulgar in language at times!!) as the write-up itself. Although I doubt any of the writers/commentators there can profess to be experts on the issue, I still found it an interesting read from a layman’s perspective and more broad-based in discussion than the typical media reports and celebrity-style focus we tend to get generally.
Where championing a people’s welfare and rights through peace and non-violence is concerned, I am personally more supportive of Mahatma Gandhi’s approach to championing independence for his people which I believe is an example (not ‘perfect’, but certainly a far better effort than most other human beings in history, methinks!) of a truly peaceful and non-violent approach, not just in words but also in action - walking the same ground as, breathing the same air as, and suffering much alongside, his own people.
But again, this is an excellent capture, e., and much thanks for sharing with us this fascinating scene, which is certainly fruit for vigorous discussion!
20 Oct 2007 11:36pm
@Rebecca: Whether or not you agree with the Dalai Lama's position, I do know that he would be back in Tibet in a heartbeat if the Chinese government would allow him back. It is because he is such an important figure to the Tibetans that the government has prohibited his return. In fact, people who have his picture in their houses are arrested and tortured. In a situation like this, I believe that you are right, one can never know exactly what the Dalai Lama's true motives, but I think that the Chinese government should not be as close-minded as they are and at least open themselves up to talks with him.
Michael Rawluk from Prince George, Canada
Beautiful shot and I love the clothing. I won't write about the political side since there are so many more knowledgeable people reading and writing on your blog.
21 Oct 2007 3:22pm
Illuci from Hurdegaryp, Netherlands
I read the link that Rebecca advised to read. But the story on this site is also one-sided, and many historical facts have been left out. Why all of a sudden was there a need for the Dalai Lama to flee to India? Was it a sudden initiative taken by him, was he guilty of undermining Chinese authority, or was it because Mao Zedong started a process ending in a movement called "Cultural Revolution" and which cannot be disapproved as a historical mistake by the ruling authorities because they are as socialist as this so-called revolution was? The Chinese authorities are very well aware of this and for the stage of the world they show some disapprovement but they will never blow it up because they are more and more also aware that China and the rest of the world will need each other. I love the Dalai Lama and widh Him much strength as a representative of the viewpoint that there's more than politics, socialism and capitalism in the world.
22 Oct 2007 9:54am
Illuci from Hurdegaryp, Netherlands
Oh I almost forgot to say what a unique White House picture this is! It really symbolizes America's pride to house so many cultures!
22 Oct 2007 10:00am
Rabbit from Richmond, United States
This is a truly wonderful shot of our brining people together.
22 Oct 2007 12:47pm
Damon Schreiber from Toronto, Canada
Interesting political discussion, but I just want to say what an attractive and symbolic photo. I believe it shows an ideal of a government by and for the people. Whether this is actually true is another matter, but the photo generates a lot of warmth and closeness.
26 Oct 2007 5:34am
Rebecca from Leicester, United Kingdom
ps : Just thought I should add this ps to my comment above, as it appears to have been misconstrued a little. Excerpt here of my comment on your excellent post today, e. One of my ‘gripes’ about the Chinese government is indeed their persecution of so many of religious faith (it does pain me to hear of the sufferings so many Tibetans have gone through, and many Christians as well! – you may be interested in the book 'The Heavenly Man' , true story of the persecution, torture and many other sufferings experienced by Brother Yun, and other fellow Christians in China) who in the Chinese govt’s view do not “toe the official line”. It is indeed a sad world we live in.
2 Nov 2007 4:48am
Rebecca from Leicester, United Kingdom
pps : I have personally met Brother Yun, and can attest to his testimony of his appalling sufferings (and astounding joy and peace in the face of it!)
2 Nov 2007 4:55am
Casio EX-S600
1/160 second
F/4.3
38 mm (35mm equiv.)