Protesting the Olympic Torch
Today, President Hu began the Olympic torch on its way around the globe. Currently, China is being criticized for its treatment of Tibet. Tibetan monks have been imprisoned, and many detained because of protests. Western media has been removed from the region and censored by the Chinese government.
Now, with the torch making its way around the world, I am sure that people will protest along its route. But will the protests influence any policy in China. Will China actually allow Tibetan independence? However, the torch is a symbol of the Olympics, not Chinese oppression. China will not change their stance on Tibet, and a teenager holding a sign in Germany will not change China's mind. Thousands of people in New York will have no impact.
The countries participating in the Olympics are not going to boycott. As sad as it is to say, it would seem that nothing done outside of China is going to change what is done inside of China. Economic boycotts are going to influence more than a verbal protest. The people in China will not see the protests on TV, but stop buying goods, and the lack of money may hit home.
Now, with the torch making its way around the world, I am sure that people will protest along its route. But will the protests influence any policy in China. Will China actually allow Tibetan independence? However, the torch is a symbol of the Olympics, not Chinese oppression. China will not change their stance on Tibet, and a teenager holding a sign in Germany will not change China's mind. Thousands of people in New York will have no impact.
The countries participating in the Olympics are not going to boycott. As sad as it is to say, it would seem that nothing done outside of China is going to change what is done inside of China. Economic boycotts are going to influence more than a verbal protest. The people in China will not see the protests on TV, but stop buying goods, and the lack of money may hit home.
posted by Michael W. at 1:26 PM
2 Comments:
It is unlikely the US will pass up the deal cheap Chinese goods present. However, had China been denied their bid to host the Olympics, maybe some changes would have been made. China was denied a previous bid to host the Olympics due to their pathetic human rights track record. As a result, enormous improvments have been made. But as everyone can see, human rights are still a major concern in China. Had China been denied the bid again because of the mistreatment, even bigger strides would have been made. Unfortunatley, the committee gave in too early, and now the citizens of China will never know the road their future could have taken.
I agree that the Olympic committee should have taken much more consideration in granting China the bid to host these Olympics. Ironically, it seems that since the bid was given to China, human rights violations have risen in the country with the displacement of the rural poor and the unregulated dangers of labor that has been required to meet the demands of Olympic facilities and resources.
Regarding the Tibet issue, it seems like little change may occur. One of the reasons for this is that Tibetan activist organizations are torn between their demands. The Dalai Lama himself is not even asking for independence in the wake of these recent protests but rather acknowledgment from the Chinese government of Tibetan rights and culture. Further, economic boycotts don't seem to be an option. Though China is a growing consumer economy, the majority of people - who are poor - would likely be literally unable to afford the cost of not purchasing necessary goods.
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