Title: The Struggle for Modern Tibet
Subtitle: The Autobiography of Tashi Tsering
First published: 1997
Description: This captivating autobiography by a Tibetan educator and former political prisoner is full of twists and turns. Born in 1929 in a Tibetan village, Tsering developed a strong dislike of his country's theocratic ruling elite. As a 13-year-old member of the Dalai Lama's personal dance troupe, he was frequently whipped or beaten by teachers for minor infractions. A heterosexual, he escaped by becoming a drombo, or homosexual passive partner and sex-toy, for a well-connected monk.

After studying at the University of Washington, he returned to Chinese-occupied Tibet in 1964, convinced that Tibet could become a modernized society based on socialist, egalitarian principles only through cooperation with the Chinese. Denounced as a 'counterrevolutionary' during Mao's Cultural Revolution, he was arrested in 1967 and spent six years in prison or doing forced labor in China. Officially exonerated in 1978, Tsering became a professor of English at Tibet University in Lhasa.

He now raises funds to build schools in Tibet's villages, emphasizing Tibetan language and culture.
Subjects: Biography, Political prisoners, Educators, Politieke gevangenen, Autobiografie, Pedagogen, 81.01 history of teaching, Tibet autonomous region (china), civilization, Tibet autonomous region (china), social conditions, SOCIAL SCIENCE, Penology, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY, Social Scientists & Psychologists, Tibet autonomous region (china), biography, Political prisoners, china
Places: China, Tibet
People: Tashi Tsering, Bkra-śis-tshe-riṅ (1929-), Tashi Tsering (1929-)
LC classification: LA2383.C52 T37 1997