2008 Woodie Awards
Column: Beijing Games an illusion
Bob Bajek/Columnist
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: Opinions
Communism is a single-party system of government in which the party controls all aspects of its citizens' lives. Intolerance to free speech, political criticism and religious practice is found in communistic countries like Cuba, North Korea and North Vietnam.
China has been a communist state since 1949, and not only perpetrates human rights violations, it also has taken over the Tibetan region and China allegedly supports genocide in Darfur.
The Olympic Games - a symbol of international unity - was held in Beijing, the communist capital of the world, earlier this month.
As I watched the opening ceremony at the Bird's Nest, the sights were wondrous. There were 2,008 synchronized drummers. Nine-year-old Lin Miaoke was flying a kite while "singing" a beautiful song. A 1984 Chinese Olympic hero, gymnast Li Ning, circled the stadium in mid-air and gloriously lit the torch.
The next few days, I was overwhelmed with the historic feats occurring. Michael Phelps swam like a shark to claim eight gold medals. American teamwork seemed to be achieved with three gold medals in volleyball and two in basketball.
Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), spoke to a sold out crowd of over 90,000 at the closing ceremony. He said through the Games, "the world learned more about China, and China learned more about the world."
I suddenly thought to myself, 'Wait! Isn't China a communist state? Did China really learn from the world?'
This seemed to ring true. On TV, I saw a clean city with happy inhabitants. Olympic news coverage concentrated on the numerous volunteers that eagerly sacrificed their time and energy for the sake of the Games and their country.
To Beijing residents, these Olympics were the most important part of China's modern history.
Communist officials knew that the world would be watching under a critical lens, so they decided to put their best foot forward. However, they knew how to fog up the lens of international perception and make China seem like a country of social and political change.
Sports Illustrated in its Olympics preview recounts how Beijing addressed smog, cleaned the city's water and hid dilapidated housing districts to make the city seem immaculate. Another amazing step that the government took was employing the Etiquette Policy.
The UK Times discovered China was training its poor residents how to behave and dress for the Olympics.
Selena Roberts of Sports Illustrated reported that a lengthy application was needed for protesters to voice their distaste for Chinese governmental policy at Rita Park, 30 minutes by car from the closest Olympic site. Many protestors, including eight Americans, are currently detained for even applying to protest.
While the spirit of the Games is to promote human rights and brotherhood among the nations, China's 16 days in the spotlight almost made me see it as a suitable place to live. Why would China hide the form of government it's so proud of?
Bob Bajek is a junior journalism major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
China has been a communist state since 1949, and not only perpetrates human rights violations, it also has taken over the Tibetan region and China allegedly supports genocide in Darfur.
The Olympic Games - a symbol of international unity - was held in Beijing, the communist capital of the world, earlier this month.
As I watched the opening ceremony at the Bird's Nest, the sights were wondrous. There were 2,008 synchronized drummers. Nine-year-old Lin Miaoke was flying a kite while "singing" a beautiful song. A 1984 Chinese Olympic hero, gymnast Li Ning, circled the stadium in mid-air and gloriously lit the torch.
The next few days, I was overwhelmed with the historic feats occurring. Michael Phelps swam like a shark to claim eight gold medals. American teamwork seemed to be achieved with three gold medals in volleyball and two in basketball.
Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), spoke to a sold out crowd of over 90,000 at the closing ceremony. He said through the Games, "the world learned more about China, and China learned more about the world."
I suddenly thought to myself, 'Wait! Isn't China a communist state? Did China really learn from the world?'
This seemed to ring true. On TV, I saw a clean city with happy inhabitants. Olympic news coverage concentrated on the numerous volunteers that eagerly sacrificed their time and energy for the sake of the Games and their country.
To Beijing residents, these Olympics were the most important part of China's modern history.
Communist officials knew that the world would be watching under a critical lens, so they decided to put their best foot forward. However, they knew how to fog up the lens of international perception and make China seem like a country of social and political change.
Sports Illustrated in its Olympics preview recounts how Beijing addressed smog, cleaned the city's water and hid dilapidated housing districts to make the city seem immaculate. Another amazing step that the government took was employing the Etiquette Policy.
The UK Times discovered China was training its poor residents how to behave and dress for the Olympics.
Selena Roberts of Sports Illustrated reported that a lengthy application was needed for protesters to voice their distaste for Chinese governmental policy at Rita Park, 30 minutes by car from the closest Olympic site. Many protestors, including eight Americans, are currently detained for even applying to protest.
While the spirit of the Games is to promote human rights and brotherhood among the nations, China's 16 days in the spotlight almost made me see it as a suitable place to live. Why would China hide the form of government it's so proud of?
Bob Bajek is a junior journalism major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
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Katie
posted 8/27/08 @ 7:06 AM CST
very interesting and eye-opening story. i can't believe you had to apply to protest in China.
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