'Net bullies target Chinese student participants in pro-Tibet protests

Above, a counter-protest by students at Duke University supporting the notion that "Tibet belongs to China, andï»¿ will always belong to China."

A Chinese student at Duke who participated in pro-Tibet protests on campus -- after befriending her Tibetan dorm-mate -- has become the target of brutal online and offline attacks. Thousands of nationalist Chinese thugs (some claiming to be Duke students) see her actions as "traitorous," and have threatened her with personal attacks in comment threads and, apparently, in person.

EastSouthWestNorth blog refers to the mob vigilanteism as "China's Human Flesh Search Engine."

Online, the bullies have posted her photograph, her US phone number, Chinese identity card number, her parents' address and home number in China. Offline, her parents' home in Qingdao is said to have been attacked with rocks, and her parents are now in hiding.

John Kennedy of the Global Voices blog has posted some of the comments and threats to her and her family here. (coverage also here, thanks Nick)

In related news, BB reader Matthew says,

On Tuesday, April 15th, Chinese students staged a massive protest against a pro-Tibet rally at UCLA. Here is a translation of the call to arms, as it were. Also pictures and video.

And BB reader Dubi points us to yet another video, in which:

National security advisor Stephen Hadley speaks on ABC about the Olympics and how it relates to the Tibet situation. He calls Tibet "Nepal." The kicker is that George Stephanopoulos does not catch the gaffe even after it is repeated 8 times.

Previously on Boing Boing:

Vlog (Xeni): Tibet report - monks forced to participate in staged videos.

Pro-Tibet protesters scale Golden Gate Bridge in SF

Tibet: nearly 1,000 jailed in Lhasa, Dalai Lama offers to resign

Xeni on G4's AOTS re: Tibet and China's 'net blackout

Tibet: China blocks YouTube, protests spread, bloggers react

Tibet: more deaths, injuries in Lhasa as crackdown grows

Tibetan protests in Lhasa turn violent as Chinese forces crack down

China sends in troops to quell monks' peaceful protests

Police attack peacefully protesting monks in Tibet

Protest inside Tibet captured on tourists' cameras

Hacking the Himalayas: Xeni's stories and trek-blog from Tibet and India

Boing Boing tv: Miss Tibet/Eames Elephants

Google, China, and genocide: web censorship and Tibet

Boing Boing editor/partner and tech culture journalist Xeni Jardin hosts and produces Boing Boing's in-flight TV channel on Virgin America airlines (#10 on the dial), and writes about living with breast cancer. Diagnosed in 2011. @xeni on Twitter. email: xeni@boingboing.net.

More at Boing Boing

Eurovision 2013: An American in London

The technology that links taxonomy and Star Trek

Takuan

why yes, Miaka, I was.
LogrusZed

Watch out, some of those people know martial arts n’ stuff.
Takuan

China has other exports than dollar store trash.
DMcK

The Chinese are pretty adept at infiltrating US universities with “exchange students”. I remember reading an article a few years back in the Comics Journal by one such individual, about the history of man-hua (Chinese comics); it tried to pawn off excerpts of vicious, contemporary anti-Falun Gong propaganda comics as examples of historical works from the turn of the century or before. Nasty.
Santa’s Knee

When did “Duke University” become “David Duke Univerity”?
betterdas

It is shocking to see some chinese students intimidating Ms. Wang. These thugs should be brought to justice and kicked out of this freedom loving country. I am a chinese myself and i am a moderate, but i found the intimidation for freedom of speech is unacceptable. It actually only makes the pro-china’s case worse. I hope the law enforcement will get involved and found out the culprits and punish them.
Antinous

Anti-French rallies across China

“Oppose Tibet independence, support the Olympics,” read one placard; “Say no to French goods,” said another.

BBC article

Hating on the French is like shooting fish in a barrel. Will escargot exports plummet. How many French goods does China import anyway?
Maurik

That’s right… all the tea.
ME

Kudos for Ms. Jardin for bringing this to our attention. I had a brief conversation with a friend, a Chinese national, and he was pretty dismissive of Tibetan grievances as well.

The Chinese are fiercely nationalistic, as befits a great nation. Their greatness also encompasses a great deal of mischief and brutality, which again comes with national greatness.

What should be noted is the high spirits of the competing demonstrations. People might have been haranguing each other, but they were also listening and behaving well. One might wonder if such a demonstration could take place in China. And before we knock the Chinese, we might also remember all the peaceful demonstrations that have been infiltrated and violently disrupted by police in the USA, such as the protests at the Republican Convention in New York City in 2004.

The online vigilantism is pretty disturbing, but there’s no evidence that it is officially sanctioned. What this vigilantism does bring into question is our own liberal notions regarding free speech. Should such threatening speech be censored? Should Google protect this women by blocking searches for her name?

Solving the injustices of the world are not easy, primarily because one person’s justice, be it freeing Tibet or censoring the Internet, is another’s injustice.

And as a typical provincial yahoo of an American, I couldn’t help but think of this as I watched the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYwDV-7uDyc

Yes, I’m very ashamed of myself, but also laughing.
Caroline

Sigh. And again, I’m so proud to be a graduate student here. *rolls eyes*
Miaka

Hi Takuan,

I’m unclear why you reacted to my post with that comment. Did I say I supported internet manhunts? I wanted to post a link to another case involving internet bullies because I found it interesting and disturbing.

I have been reading this site for a long time although I don’t post often and I often enjoy your responses, so I was a bit surprised to see what seems like a mocking reaction from you.

Could you clarify what you’re trying to say exactly?
Takuan

“the Chinese are fiercely nationalistic, as befits a great nation. Their greatness also encompasses a great deal of mischief and brutality, which again comes with national greatness.”

What? Are you nuts? Jingoism,mischief and brutality are “great”? What the hell are you on about?

“online vigilantism is pretty disturbing, but there’s no evidence that it is officially sanctioned. What this vigilantism does bring into question is our own liberal notions regarding free speech. Should such threatening speech be censored?”

Oh, I get it; parody.
Tom

Brutality and nationalism are the result of inadequacy and fear, not greatness.

Brutal, nationalistic countries are not great nations. They are brutal and nationalistic.

Openness to dissent and support for diversity, accessible democratic processes, and the rule of law are the touchstones of great nations.
Takuan

Dear Miaka:

Whenever reading my posts, following threads my scaly tail has dragged down, casting Tarot readings with the Devil as significator or corresponding with myself, it is wise to douse oneself with holy water, sacrifice a bullock and immediately open the thesaurus to “bitter”, “sardonic”, “ironic”, “satirical” “pain in the ass” (ask Teresa) and similar entries.

Why would I mock you?

T (it’s mark)
Antinous

If Takuan were mocking you, there would be no ambiguity. Just blood and tears and maybe a tiny little bit of fecal incontinence.
Elysianartist

One of the drawbacks to nuking the bejesus out of the Chinese mainland is the prevailing winds are gonna blow those glowing clouds eastward across the Pacific, right back over the good ole U.S. of A.
Can anyone think of another reason why we shouldn’t nuke ‘em from orbit?
holtt

uh, Roach; Oregon is right above California

Thank you. We like to be forgotten in general, but not when it comes to fallout.
Takuan

hey,hey! I TOLD you that was from those trans-fat substitutes!
Takuan

because the retaliation, Russian opportunism, ecological consequences, total collapse of the world economy, famine,plague and wholesale death make that plan iffy.
Antinous

You’re not supposed to eat the lube.
Takuan

also,that would be wrong. (shakes jowls, offers double peace signs)
Miaka

Dear Mark (Takuan),

Haha, ok well thanks for the reassurance. I’m glad it wasn’t meant to be a mocking remark.

Perhaps I’ve been spending too much time discussing the Tibet/China issue online and I’ve lost the ability to discern the sincere from the insincere.

Take care,
Miaka (it’s Marie)
Takuan

Understandable to be confused about Tibet and China, incredible resources have been expended to cloud the truth.
Takuan

“But we all cheer when Internet vigilantes post the private info of someone WE don’t like.”

no, just when it’s a real villain. And yes, I decide.
Antinous

Sarkozy sucks up; Paris mayor gets down.

The Dalai Lama has been made an honorary citizen of Paris
Antinous

The International Campaign for Tibet said last week that a “patriotic education” work team had been sent to Drepung, and food and water supplies at the monasteries in Lhasa were running low as monks were prevented from leaving.

Patriotic education requires monks to do ritual denunciations of their spiritual leader, the exiled Dalai Lama, and accept the Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama.

Mainichi article
Antinous

A major Buddhist temple has withdrawn from plans to host Japan’s opening stage of the Olympic torch relay.

BBC article
Antinous

China has launched an “education” campaign in Tibet it says is designed to undermine support for the Dalai Lama and any separatist sentiment.

The Tibet Daily newspaper said the campaign was to “unify the thinking… of officials and the masses”.

BBC article
Belac

What Takuan said.

Also, because actually nuking countries we dislike would bring us below whatever level we (rightly or not) claim that they’re on.
ZippySpincycle

On the upside, it would do wonders for overpopulation. Plus, if the old “nuclear winter” theory holds any water, the smoke from a global nuclear holocaust might offset global warming (I dunno, all those burning cities would also produce a lot of CO2).

All in all, giving some other species a chance to evolve might do the planet some good.
Antiglobalism

Independence for ALL people:

http://www.pan-nationalism.org

Anti-racism, anti-globalism!
Antinous

Heavy security for the torch in Delhi:

Some 16,000 police sealed off the city centre along the truncated relay route.

Regarding the security goons:

“They have used their bodies to protect the torch, so their acts should be praised and the violent acts of those Tibet independence elements be condemned.”

Didn’t people used to cheer the Olympic torch? Congratulations to China for making the torch relay a symbol of oppression and genocide.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7351713.stm
Miaka

This kind of behavior can also lead to hunts for the wrong people, as this blog entry details:
http://www.mutantpalm.org/2008/04/15/mutual-respect-it-must-be-some-kind-of-trap.html#more-167

That poor Tibetan guy in Utah.
Takuan

does any ordinary person in China realize the damage their government’s lying is doing? These silly games will be over soon, what then?
Takuan

what did you expect?
Roach

“One of the drawbacks to nuking the bejesus out of the Chinese mainland is the prevailing winds are gonna blow those glowing clouds eastward across the Pacific, right back over the good ole U.S. of A.
Can anyone think of another reason why we shouldn’t nuke ‘em from orbit?”

Just how far would it blow over the US? Because if it’d only hit California, I’m in.
Scraps

Is anyone publishing the personal information of the thugs who published the Chinese student’s personal information?
Antinous

Oh, I get it; parody.

No, demi-troll. But kudos for getting a semicolon into a five word sentence.
Takuan

uh, Roach; Oregon is right above California
Takuan

yeah, just get the local Chinese consulate’s staff list
keggsy

Interesting that this has become a mini-version of what is actually going on in China. The Tibetan student speaks her mind and the Chinese students respond with violence and intimidation.

You can be as nationalistic as you like, but fear tactics cross the line. I find many Americans annoyingly nationalistic, but I don’t have to worry about my own safety or that of my family by saying that.
ill lich

Reminds me of Russia’s ÐÐ°ÑˆÐ¸ (“Nashi” a.k.a. “Ours”) youth movement, which organizes to counter protest pretty much any other political group, in particular Kasparaov’s “Other Russia” party, although that is clearly orchestrated by the Putin regime, and this appears (so far) to be more spontaneous.

“One of the great attractions of patriotism — it fulfills our worst wishes. In the person of our nation we are able, vicariously, to bully and cheat. Bully and cheat, what’s more, with a feeling that we are profoundly virtuous.” — Aldous Huxley
Takuan

Hitler Youth, Putin’s Nashi, Chinese “Spontaneous Protest”
Antinous

The text box takes Cyrillic characters? How about tengwar?
Antinous

Please. You hurt the feeling of a whole nation when you say such lies.
Takuan

I tried Ogham (the writing of my youth)
Takuan

that misplaced apostrophe in #32 is going to cause no end of trouble
Antinous

Good comment, Keggsy. To the point and not one wasted word.
Takuan

apostrophe,apostrophe…..
The Mystery Man came over
An’ he said: “I’m outa-site!”
He said, for a nominal service charge,
I could reach nervonna t’nite
If I was ready, willing ‘n able
To pay him his regular fee
He would drop all the rest of his pressing affairs
And devote His Attention to me
But I said . . .
Look here brother,
Who you jivin’ with that Cosmik Debris?
(Now who you jivin’ with that Cosmik Debris?)
Look here brother,
Don’t you waste your time on me

The Mystery Man got nervous
An’ he fidget around a bit
He reached in the pocket of his Mystery Robe
An’ he whipped out a shaving kit
Now, I thought it was a razor
An’ a can of foamin’ goo
But he told me right then when the top popped open
There was nothin’ his box won’t do
With the oil of Afro-dytee
An’ the dust of the Grand Wazoo
He said:
“You might not believe this, little fella, but it’ll cure your Asthma too!”
An’ I said . . .
Look here brother,
Who you jivin’ with that Cosmik Debris?
(Now what kind of a geroo are you anyway?)
Look here brother,
Don’t you waste your time on me
Don’t waste yer time . . .

I’ve got troubles of my own, I said
An’ you can’t help me out
So take your meditations an’ your preparations
An’ ram it up yer snout
“BUT I GOT A KRISTL BOL!,” he said
An’ held it to the light
So I snatched it
All away from him
An’ I showed him how to do it right
I wrapped a newspaper ’round my head
So I’d look like I was Deep
I said some Mumbo Jumbos then
An’ told him he was goin’ to sleep
I robbed his rings
An’ pocket watch
An’ everything else I found
I had that sucker hypnotized
He couldn’t even make a sound
I proceeded to tell him his future then
As long as he was hanging around,
I said
“The price of meat has just gone up
An’ yer ol’ lady has just gone down . . . ”
Look here brother,
Who you jivin’ with that Cosmik Debris?
(Now is that a real poncho or is that a Sears poncho?)
Don’t you know,
You could make more money as a butcher,
So don’t you waste your time on me
(Don’t waste it, don’t waste your time on me . . . )
Ohm shonty, ohm shonty, ohm shonty-ohm
SSHONTAY
arkizzle

[ repost from memory, curse you "wrong text"! ]

I just checked, Ogham actually has a Unicode designation!!

I’m impressed, although being able to type it in mere seconds doesn’t seem to do it the justice of carving long, squiggly lines of notched prose on your enemy’s bones.
Jake0748

Now if I only knew who IT is or was. And how and why did it leave it’s mark.

It is to wonder.
Takuan

long squiggly lines? Pah! Straight notches is how we did it as lads! Nothing but a good flint blade too.
arkizzle

Flint! Luxury!
In my day, all we had were teeth! And a fine wobbly line we nawed as well.
Antinous

I thought that we were calling you Victor.
arkizzle

Maybe it’s an assertion.
Miaka

Hi Takuan,

Were you saying, “what did you expect” to me?
Takuan

Victor is my stage name
Antinous

I considered that but rejected it in favor of prima facie confession.
Antinous

Cha Cha Heels was my drag name.
Scraps

I find many Americans annoyingly nationalistic, but I don’t have to worry about my own safety or that of my family by saying that.

Maybe not, but there are certainly plenty of places in America where you would have to worry about your physical safety and the safety of your loved ones if you criticized America.
bobbytables

But we all cheer when Internet vigilantes post the private info of someone WE don’t like.