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Tuesday, April 15, 2008

One World One Dream.....sort of


Unless you've been living under a rock, you're probably well aware that the 2008 Olympic games are to be held in Beijing this summer. You're also (hopefully) aware that holding the games in China has ignited a sort of global firestorm, resulting in worldwide protests over human rights abuses by the Chinese government.

Adding to the flames is the Chinese government's aggressive propaganda campaign to alleviate international focus on its human rights records. Check out 'The Peoples Daily Online,' China's official government sponsored newspaper, and read any article under "Truth Behind the Lhasa Riots." It's goal? To paint western media reports (in this case concerning Tibet) as biased and unfounded. Unfortunately for the Peoples Daily, refuting these 'biased' media reports would be like standing at the foot Mt. Everest and trying convince someone that it doesn't really exist - the mountain of evidence is kinda hard to ignore.

This propaganda campaign, along with the refusal or hesitance of western statesmen to take a stance on this issue, has further aggravated protesters. Through it's aggressive propaganda, the Chinese government is incrementally confirming the very stereotypes they wish to dispel. We call this process negative reciprocity - negative behaviors elicit negative responses. Perhaps the Chinese government should take note of this.

It is obvious the Chinese government considers it's decaying international image to be a problem. For any totalitarian regime, image is vital, the very foundation on which it supports itself. The solution, however, is within easy grasp.

Change.

In fact, the argument for change rests in the very motto of this years summer games. 'One World One Dream.' The motto implies a universal desire for peace, harmony and respect between nations. It also implies however, that we, as human beings, hold common universal values. The Olympic spirit is a symbolic ideal, that we can look past issues of culture and politics, and come together as a global community. Importantly, it is a spirit of tolerance. And for decades, we as a global community have given significance to this spirit of tolerance. It's why the Chinese government wanted the games in the first place. Doing so represents China's rise as a major player in the world, proof the rest of the world is willing to respect and embrace China as it is.

But isn't the global community, by not protesting, discrediting Olympic ideals? In allowing China to host the games, the world becomes a partner to the government's propaganda. If the world knowingly allows a host which does not, in reality, embrace those ideals, then what a shallow symbol the Olympic spirit is.

This isn't to say that the aggressive protests have had fully positive results. On the contrary, many Chinese nationals understandably feel insulted. It's unfortunate, because they do have plenty to be proud of. For one, their country is growing at record paces. To compare China to the United States of the 1950's is a significant understatement. China is on the fast track to becoming one of the worlds premiere powers, and it's important for Chinese nationals to understand that the rest of the world is, in fact, ready to embrace them. As a people.

As we acknowledge the good, however, it's important we don't lose focus on the bad. More pertinent than economic clout, military capability or international influence is a governments regard for human life. The global community isn't rejecting Chinese ingenuity, burgeoning middle class or economic potential; it's rejecting the repressive methods of an outdated regime. The distinction important.

That we as human beings respect the rights of those who are different, because they are human, is the bedrock on which the Olympic spirit rests. The desire to show tolerance during the games is our common ground, our unifier.

It's time for the Chinese government to stop paying lip-service to these ideals.

Actions are louder than words.