BRISTOL – Ten Roger Williams University students are getting a first-hand lesson in international diplomacy and activism, as they try to free an imprisoned Tibetan writer in the first class of its kind.
In conjunction with the PEN American Center, a human rights organization dating back to 1921, the class is attempting to secure the release of Dolma Kyab, a Tibetan teacher and writer. According to PEN, in March 2005, Mr. Kyab was arrested and imprisoned for "endangering state security" by writing a book on Tibet's geography. An appeal by his family in November 2005 was rejected, and he was issued a 10-year sentence.
Devon McCormick, a senior majoring in psychology and philosophy from Guilford, Conn., said once Mr. Kyab entered prison, the trail on him went cold. She said he was only able to send out one letter regarding his case, and because of conditions at a work camp, he had contracted tuberculosis at one point.
"We need to know that he's being treated and he's OK," Ms. McCormick said.
Ms. McCormick said PEN was making a big push to free 50 writers from Chinese prisons, since the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing would focus international attention on the country.
For their class, the students work directly with PEN to lobby the Chinese government for status updates on Mr. Kyab, and his release. The group also said they are writing to their local and national representatives, to get them to put pressure on the Chinese government.
They meet every Wednesday for three hours to talk with one another, and to provide status updates. For example, one small group of students might spend the week calling up Rhode Island senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, while another group tries to talk to the Chinese embassy. The class is also planning outreach events at area schools. They jokingly added that since they consist of 10 college-aged women, this sometimes get people to call back a little sooner.
Brittany Costa, a senior from Barrington majoring in Global Communications, said it is unlike any other class she has taken before.
"We don't deal with theoretical," she said. "We're working outside the box on the practical. We're trying to make a difference. We're really changing a person's life."
No right to free speech
Although the class features several different majors, five students have a focus in creative writing. With that background, senior Marissa Brennan, from Jessup, Pa., said she would never want to experience what Mr. Kyab has had to go through.
"I couldn't imagine as a writer something like that happening here," she said.
Ms. McCormick said, "I can't imagine someone being prosecuted for writing about what they love. He is a man who's trying to be a teacher, who loves his country."
Ms. McCormick added that under Chinese rule, Tibet is being assimilated without any debate or consideration.
"Without really talking about it, they've really wiped out the Tibetan culture there," she said. "They destroyed a lot of monasteries and pertinent religious buildings."
Adam Braver, the professor for the course, said he normally teaches creative writing at Roger Williams. He said the class is a pilot program for himself as well, but he thought it would be an interactive way for the students to learn about China and Tibet.
"We could have a class and I'd say, 'We're going to learn about Tibet for the next three weeks,'" he said. "This is what I always wished it was like when I was a student."
Ms. McCormick said she gets a real sense of accomplishment from her work with the class.
"We're all here because this is where our hearts are," she said. "There are no instant results with this. You really have to work at it and remember that you're dealing with a real person."
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How you can help
If you're interested in helping Tibetan writer and teacher Dolma Kyab, you can find more information at www.pen.org, such as the background of his case and the addresses for the Chinese government and Congress members.
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The class at Roger Williams trying to free Tibetan writer and teacher Dolma Kyab is made up of 10 women at the university. The class is taught by professor Adam Braver. The students are:
Marissa Brennan Jessup, Pa. Senior Creative Writing
Cortney Nuzzo Wellesley, Mass. Senior Creative Writing
Erin McNally Marshfield, Mass. Senior Creative Writing
Devon McCormick Guilford, Conn. Senior Psychology and Philosophy
Brittany Costa Barrington, R.I. Senior Global Communications
Chelsea Querner Foxboro, Mass. Junior Creative Writing
Lani Hall Marlborough, Conn. Senior Creative Writing
Brittany Krupski Barrington, R.I. Senior Global Communications
Morgan Thompson Marshfield, Mass. Senior Creative Writing
Veronica Pasak Suffolk County, N.Y. Freshman Undecided
By Stephen Greenwell
sgreenwell@eastbaynewspapers.com