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August 25, 2008
Post-Olympic Wrap-up
As an athlete, I loved watching the Olympics — the performances, the human interest stories, the drama of competition...I love it!
Now that the Olympics are over, I'm left covered with the sticky residue of guilt. What about human rights issues in China? I feel like I simply forgot about them. Somehow the Chinese government was able to lower a cone of silence around the Olympic Village and shield it from all protests and criticism. It didn't accomplish this feat alone as the media played a crucial role in this astounding display of illusion. After wadding through countless commercials, most viewers were lead to believe that the biggest issue facing China is smog. Incredible!
That being said, I'm an educated man and [should] know better. Yet, I happily took my position alongside the three wise monkeys and forgot that activists where sequestered during the course of the Games. These brave and dedicated individuals were subsequently released after the closing ceremonies.
It should be very interesting to see the long-term impact of the Olympics on China. IOC President, Jacques Rogges, claims that awarding the Games to China has opened up the country. At first glance, this is a naive statement of the highest magnitude. On the other hand, maybe the aforementioned activists would have been killed as opposed to released hadn't it been for the watchful albeit distracted eyes of the world. Maybe.
So the $40 billion dollar question is: Will this amazing and troubled nation begin to take serious steps toward improving its policies on human rights? If left to the government, I seriously doubt it. On the other hand, people drive change and I believe that the Chinese people are ready for change. And for the rest of us? Well, the show is over. But don't you believe for a second there's nothing left to see. Human rights in China depends on our continued attention.
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Posted by Jason at August 25, 2008 9:33 AM
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