Question of the Week:
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Watching the opening ceremonies I couldn’t help but be awestruck at the beauty that China created. The event was breathtaking in every way. It made me realize why I love the Olympics, and then reminded me how this year, watching these games will be bittersweet.
The early symbolism of Buddhism instantly reminded me of China’s recent (and longtime) crackdown on Tibet. This was just one of the many reminders that China is not a country experiencing as much “harmony” as they would want the rest of the world to believe.
Another moment I found extremely telling was the little children carrying the flag and then handing it off to soldiers of the Chinese Army. NBC said something about how this represented the State protecting the children. To me, it represented not a protection of the people but an overbearing reach by a State with its massive army. I couldn’t help but think of the Army invading Tiananmen Square to stop people’s freedom of expression and I had to wonder if these children will actually learn in depth about it, or if China will simply continue to ban information on Tiananmen in the media and on search sites such as Google, etc.
Regarding the spreading of information in China during the games I was also reminded of Joey Cheek. He is the 2006 Olympic gold medalist speed skater who was actually banned from China because he supports taking action in Darfur (China’s official reason for revoking his Visa: they said they were “not required to give a reason.”). The lack of freedom of expression and human rights in this country is shameful, and the beauty of the ceremony and the meanings of the Olympic Games mean less because of it.
Seeing the Beijing skyline filled with Fireworks I was reminded that Beijing is actually one of the most polluted cities in the world. The city is so polluted in fact that some athletes will wear masks when outdoors, and the world record holder in the marathon is actually refusing to compete for fear of long term damage due to breathing in too much pollution. However, if you listen to the Chinese they claim to have controlled the weather, causing rain and a clearing of pollution for the games.
At the end, when the torch was being run through the stunning Bird’s Nest stadium I couldn’t help but remember the worldwide protests that China wants nothing to do with.
China hopes that this will be a turning point in their history. Their optimism is noble, but the Olympics only last 17 days, and then the world will look to China to see if any real change has happened. Will their motto of “One world, one dream” become a reality, or will it simply remain a dream?
The early symbolism of Buddhism instantly reminded me of China’s recent (and longtime) crackdown on Tibet. This was just one of the many reminders that China is not a country experiencing as much “harmony” as they would want the rest of the world to believe.
Another moment I found extremely telling was the little children carrying the flag and then handing it off to soldiers of the Chinese Army. NBC said something about how this represented the State protecting the children. To me, it represented not a protection of the people but an overbearing reach by a State with its massive army. I couldn’t help but think of the Army invading Tiananmen Square to stop people’s freedom of expression and I had to wonder if these children will actually learn in depth about it, or if China will simply continue to ban information on Tiananmen in the media and on search sites such as Google, etc.
Regarding the spreading of information in China during the games I was also reminded of Joey Cheek. He is the 2006 Olympic gold medalist speed skater who was actually banned from China because he supports taking action in Darfur (China’s official reason for revoking his Visa: they said they were “not required to give a reason.”). The lack of freedom of expression and human rights in this country is shameful, and the beauty of the ceremony and the meanings of the Olympic Games mean less because of it.
Seeing the Beijing skyline filled with Fireworks I was reminded that Beijing is actually one of the most polluted cities in the world. The city is so polluted in fact that some athletes will wear masks when outdoors, and the world record holder in the marathon is actually refusing to compete for fear of long term damage due to breathing in too much pollution. However, if you listen to the Chinese they claim to have controlled the weather, causing rain and a clearing of pollution for the games.
At the end, when the torch was being run through the stunning Bird’s Nest stadium I couldn’t help but remember the worldwide protests that China wants nothing to do with.
China hopes that this will be a turning point in their history. Their optimism is noble, but the Olympics only last 17 days, and then the world will look to China to see if any real change has happened. Will their motto of “One world, one dream” become a reality, or will it simply remain a dream?
Here’s to Olympic gold,
LoOK
Labels: Beijing, China, Human Rights, Olympics, Sadness
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3 comments:
You are entitled to your opinion.
How is it bittersweet? Only to you and a few others. China is a big country with a long history. And the most recent history was invaded by Japan, England, US, Germany and other European powers. At this moment of China's history it has never been respected by outsiders before. The 2008 is their coming out party and people like you just won't let China have they day.
How are the soldiers not protect its citizens? This is no different than the National Guards performing riot duties. How about Kent State? How about the invasion of Iraq under lies. If this is the case the next Super Bowl with its honor guards you should voice the same opinion. True there was a most tragic event on 6/4/89. The government miscalcuated and did not apologize. Did your government apologize for Viet Nam and the wrong for the green house air into the environment? And how about the treatment of Indians and Black slavery?
China has the right to prevent "trouble makers" from entering its borders. This is no different for the US. Do you think your government would let people who advocate the overthrown of your government would allow entrance?
I agree that Beijing has a pollution problem. So does LA in 1984. It's not a big deal. The number of athlets who refused to participate is just a few.
Go and see for yourselve and see and learn about China. It is not what you think.
First I must say thank you for your comment. It is very much welcome as are comments by all. This site is meant to be a place where opinions can be heard and discussions created to find truth.
However, I must respectfully disagree with several of your points. Starting with Pollution and your thoughts on it being "no big deal" Pollution is a big deal, in fact it is a huge deal. Global warming is very real and is a great threat no only to China or America, but the entire world. Los Angeles was polluted in 1984, but the city set standards on its businesses and is now in fact less polluted than it has been in the past. These standards seem to be lacking in Beijing.
Kent State was a horrible awful mistake. It was a mistake that our government has acknowledged, and the fact that it happened some twenty years before Tiananmen means that it should have been an example to the rest of the world (China included) on how not to act. To think that it happened again so easily in China saddens me.
We have apologized for slavery and the treatment of the American Indians. We have come a long way since then in our 200 years of time, where China has not been so forward moving in its 5000 year history.
Finally the comment on trouble makers: I agree that our government would not let outside trouble makers in. It is the job of a government to protect its citizens, but China's problems seems to be the crushing of dissenters within the country who are screaming for more human rights, that are afforded to every citizen in America.
I agree that this is China's coming out party. They have certainly dressed for the occasion, I just hope they don't disappoint.
China is the world's leading executioner and the biggest jailer of journalists and dissident bloggers. It uses torture and censors the Internet and the media.
It promised that hosting the Olympics would improve human rights:
It has yet to happen. Will anyone hold them to account?
Standing up for human rights is to stand up for the values enshrined in the Olympic Charter
http://www.uncensor.com.au
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