Beijing 2008

So, I've been hearing bits and pieces about the boycott and protests against the Olympics coming up in Beijing. From what I've gathered up information-wise, most of this has to do with the situation relating to Tibet (which I will freely admit I know absolutely nothing about) and also, apparently, Chinese ties to the situation in Darfur (which I know some about, but not China's connections). There are also some concerns about China's human rights (or lack of) and there are folks upset about that. To quote from a quick summary from Wikipedia: "There have been growing calls for boycotts of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing in protest of China's poor human rights record and response to the recent disturbances in Tibet. Many people are being urged even to boycott Chinese goods which, coupled with the in-balance of trade between China and the western world could mean bad news for the Chinese economy."

To that I would like to say: What in the world are you people thinking?

I did some additional research on boycotts and controversy surrounding the Olympic games, starting with the Berlin Olympics in 1936. I knew there had been problems there, and I decided to start with that. What I found there was quite interesting, but not particularly relevant to the issues with the current protest. What I did find more relevant and even more intriguing were the boycotts of the 1980 Moscow Olympics and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Basically, when Russia held the Olympics in what I would consider to be some of the most tense years of the Cold War, America and her allies acted like annoyed schoolyard children and decided not to participate. And not bring their friends, either. Of course, four years later, Russia and her communist allies returned the childish favor and refused to participate in America's Olympics.

I find all of this extremely childish. Yes, I know there were much deeper political reasons involved and that much of this had to do with people fearing for their own safety and the safety of those who would travel elsewhere.  I understand, I really do. But that doesn't make it any less childish. And I think the same of these protests and threats of boycotts for Beijing.

To start off with, the theme of this year's Olympic torch relay is "Journey of Harmony." Hm. It hasn't been that, though, and that's what I find so ridiculous. The Olympics, as far as I can understand, are supposed to be about putting aside all our arguments, political issues, and disagreements on the large scale and focusing on what we have in common. It's a time to enjoy some friendly competition and the camaraderie that is supposed to go along with sportsmanship. While it doesn't always stay like that (some people may take national pride a bit too far, perhaps, and forget the "friendly" part of the competition), that is the purpose. And with these actions, I see that being totally undermined. It's like saying that there's no interest at all in trying to work together and that we have to keep 'us' from 'them' until 'they' get more like 'us.'

What good does this protestation do? I don't see it making the leaders in China change their opinion - as it does not directly relate to what the protesters are upset about.  Instead I see this causing strife (the opposite of harmony) among people, on local and international levels. It solves no problems, only adds to them. I would not be surprised if these actions cause China to retreat a bit. It seems in more recent years, China has been trying to become a part of the global community, and though they leave a lot to be desired, so do all other countries. None are perfect. However, isolation has been a large part of China's history, and with actions like this, I can see them easily leaning back that way. Why should they try to work with other countries when so many of those are showing contempt?

I haven't really made a solid, good rhetorical point with this post, but it's more me trying to vent my frustration than anything else. While I understand why people are protesting the torch race and even could (if I knew more about it) sympathize with their reasoning, I see this as a pointless act. There are much smarter and more productive ways of communication that do not ruin what small places of harmonious contact we do have. If we cannot even work together and smile nicely at each other during a simple sports show, how can we expect to improve relations elsewhere? And how can we expect to ask a country to change if we do not show it respect in the first place? I know I as an individual do not often take the advice of those who show disrespect towards me, and yet it seems these protesters think that their actions will actually make positive changes. I don't see how that can happen.

I would ask that we allow the Olympics to be what it is–a place of cooperation and harmony–and live political discussions and disagreements for a forum in which they can make an actual difference rather than just causing strife.