Finally, someone sticks his or her neck out. I most respect leaders who stand up for something in the face of adversity. The UK's Prime Minister, Gordon Brown is against a boycott while other EU leaders are waiting to see how China handles the Tibet situation. However, Angela Merkel is the first major player to say she's not going to be in Beijing in August.
Here's a link to a great article that gives the current situation in the EU.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/29/germany.olympicgames2008
This is huge. The more athletes and political leaders that bow out, the more China cringes. I'm not sure how many cringes it will take to see something productive or dare I say progressive happen though. My guess is 8251. This number does not refer to total cringes of the total population. I could just shout out my window something blasphemous and get that reaction. I'm talking about Mr. Hu Jintao. He's the man, the president. If he thinks it's time to show some leniency, then we're going to see it. And we'll all see it. The day they decide to be nice is the day any reporter with a pen and paper will get to come to China for free. If this happens.
I watched a news bit on Tibet today that seemed to suggest otherwise. The news here emphasizes how violent the protestors were. They only show scenes of the burned stores and the protestors beating police with already bloody faces. They talk about how the government is paying the rent of the shop owners whose stores were damaged too. A little biased. I'm thinking the more flack they receive from the World about this, the harsher they're going to treat Tibetans when nobody is watching. I think the government will choose the next leader of Tibet when the Dalai Lama dies.
As a side note, the SAME day that Merkel went public with her opinion, People's Daily Online of China reports that Germany is against a boycott. No mention of Merkel. Here's the page.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90853/6383065.html
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I understand that some feel it's not fair to the athletes to demand a boycott of the Olympic Games. They say that they've trained their entire lives for this moment and it's not fair to drag them into the political spectrum. I understand that. But the U.S. should absolutely boycott these Games. China's record on human rights is abysmal and the situation with Tibet simply underscores that. Not only that, but China also shares the blame for the atrocities being committed in Darfur. Human life and human rights mean nothing to the Chinese government. Of course, under the Bush administration, the U.S. record on human rights isn't much better.
But I applaud Angela Merkel wholeheartedly. That was an incredible act of courage and principle. I hope that she is the first of many dominoes to fall and that the Beijing games are an utter failure.
Since Bush has already said that he has no intention to boycott, I truly hope the athletes themselves look into their own conscience and do the right thing.
People just have to evaluate what's more important. As far as I know, it's just Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia who has said he's not going due to the pollution. He's got asthma and holds the World record in the men's marathon.
www.progressiveu.org/blog/americangirlinchina
I'd heard about the runner who said he wasn't going due to the pollution. I'd also read somewhere that the government was trying to pressure him into it. I believe it was in that same article, and I wish I had a cite for you, the English government basically threatened their athletes with some sort of sanctions if they participated in any sort of political protest during the games. It's just ridiculous.
Sadly, I think for most people, what's important is being on the world's biggest stage. Popularity and fame seem to trump conscience and doing the right thing.
I hadn't heard about the English government threatening sanctions. I'll go look for an article. All this just makes me wonder if the Olympics will fully serve its purpose. It won't be an atmosphere of unity and peace if some people don't show up and others aren't being heard. I'm pretty sure all the fears people have are going to disrupt their peace too.
www.progressiveu.org/blog/americangirlinchina
I would also imagine that there are a lot of people in China that are going to be protesting... that is if the Chinese government doesn't crack down and kill or jail them all first. Either way, I don't think there is any way in the world these Games are going to be filled with peace and unity.
So what are you doing in China, anyway?
There are so many ways to answer your question. The pat answer is I'm teaching English. But it goes deeper. I'm much more than a teacher of English. I'll just create a post. I'll use your question as the title.
As for the protesting, the Chinese people won't protest. The Tibetans are fed up and have major cajones. There is a certain level of fear that most everyone else lives under.
www.progressiveu.org/blog/americangirlinchina
I'll be really interested in reading your post! How long have you been over there? I've given thought to going to Japan or Korea or some place to teach English. Has it been an enjoyable experience?
To be perfectly honest, I'm not entirely sure what the exact problem in Tibet is. It seems to be a fairly complex situation. Can you sort of simplify it for me? I would imagine being there would give you a different perspective.
I understand the level of fear most people live under over there. The government is brutal. I still remember the images from Tiananmen Square.
You just unloaded a lot on me. Sometimes it's really hard for me to answers questions about China. Things get complicated quick.
I've been here for 7 months and I have enjoyed it.
Tibet is complicated. I still have to do some research, because I don't even get the whole enchilada from my perspective. I'll blog on that later friend.
Things have changed since Tian'anmen Square. The Chinese people are thinking for themselves and the government is slowly slowy slowy losing their hold on some people. It's not hopeless.
I'm going to blog a lot on China, so stay tuned if you're interested.
www.progressiveu.org/blog/americangirlinchina