Mild-mannered university professor, poet, and Chinese dissident, Liu Xiaobo, has passed away from liver cancer. He was also the recipient of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize for his “long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China”. Serving an 11 year prison sentence for “subversion”, even facing death, he was kept locked away in a hospital under the watchful eyes of guards. Mr. Liu was a human rights defender and was repeatedly incarcerated throughout his life for his passionate beliefs. Even when he wasn’t in prison, he was kept under the most severe restrictions and surveillance. After the June 4, 1989 Tiananmen Square student protest, ended in bloodshed and tragedy, Liu and other activists successfully negotiated the safe passage of hundreds of demonstrators saving their lives. This last prison term was in response to his participation in the creation of the Charter 08 Manifesto, which called for multi-party democracy in China. His wife, Liu Xia remains under house arrest.
Free expression is the base of human rights, the root of human nature and the mother of truth. To kill free speech is to insult human rights, to stifle human nature and to suppress the truth.
~ Liu Xiaobo ~
Felicia Denise said:
Thank you for this, Kim. He was a quiet, gentle man who stood up for the most basic human rights. I applauded his Nobel Prize in 1989. Real heroes serve out of the spotlight. They could imprison him but they couldn’t silence the message.
Prayers to his wife and family.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
He was someone who never gave up Felicia. China and the world is a sadder place without him.😪
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Felicia Denise said:
Agreed.
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Farwa Khan said:
How about you review any of Khaled Hosseini’s books?
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’ve only read The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, but I enjoyed them both. If I have time I will review them in the future.
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Farwa Khan said:
❤
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beetleypete said:
I saw this on the BBC today. Sad that he died so young, but he left a great legacy behind.
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
He truly led an exemplary and inspiring life Pete. It’s so sad he couldn’t have had at least one last taste of freedom before he died.
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ksbeth said:
this is so very sad. what a loss –
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It really is a huge loss.😒
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jowensauthor said:
Such a tragic loss of a great individual. We need more people like him.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I was thinking that also Jeanne. The world could do no better than listen to people like him.
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Dr. Rex said:
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
The world has lost a wonderful soul … at a time when it is most needed! The heavens have a new angel … 💔
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Lelia T said:
Such a loss to the world and all who love freedom.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Absolutely.😞
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vinnieh said:
Sad news. It says a lot when someone can stand up for their beliefs in an understated and non aggressive way.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
That it does. Epecially when they’re repeatedly imprisoned for it.😞
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vinnieh said:
The human spirit is something very hard to break.
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Gronda Morin said:
Dear Kim,
Thanks for the remembrance Liu Xiabo who died for the very same beliefs that DDT is trying to destroy. There are heroes every day who stand up for what is right and who don’t compromise and he is one of them.
Hugs, Gronda
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
The contrast between the two men struck me as well Gronda.
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mikealixonline said:
Rousseau wrote in 1762, in a book I helped re-translate (1984): “Man is born free. And everywhere he is in chains.” The proof: Liu.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Great quote Mike. And still timely.
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mikealixonline said:
Incidentally, that Liu Xiaobo. You left out an “o” — if I’m wrong, spank me with a spoon.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you for pointing that out Mike. Oh! And I don’t know if you saw, but I replied to your comment on my review of Waste of Space. I hope it answers any questions/doubts you have over the way I write my reviews.
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The Shameful Narcissist said:
I sadly never heard of him until reading this post, which shows how important your posts like this are. People like Mr. Liu are vital to the current resistance and therefore our existence, and he may no longer be able to personally carry the torch, but others of similar mind won’t let it be extinguished.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you Adrienne! And you’re right. People like Mr. Liu continue to inspire long after they’re gone.💁🏻
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Lashaan (Bookidote) said:
And the world loses another great man. He has done some very Gandhi-esque things in his life. R.I.P.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
He’s inspired so many other people, I think his work will continue on.
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