Protesters the world over are letting China have it with both barrels. Sick and tired of typical Communist behavior — domestic violation of human rights and international repression and butchery in Tibet and Sudan – angry freedom lovers are attempting to disrupt the Olympic Games to make their point. Some national leaders have announced plans to boycott the opening ceremonies scheduled for August in Beijing. Other nations may shun the games altogether, prompting British IOC member Craig Reedie to sputter, “It is fair to say that this kind of political protest is a new experience for the IOC and we have found it extremely uncomfortable,” according to the Associated Press. So have the Chinese.
Few were more uncomfortable than the now famous wheelchair-bound Chinese torch bearer, Jin Jing. Ms. Jing, a 27-year-old amputee, was carrying the Olympic torch through the streets of Paris when she was assaulted by peace-loving dullards who “threw themselves at Jin,” reported Reuters last Friday. “Most were wrestled away but at least one reached her wheelchair and tried to wrench the torch away.” The diminutive Jing suffered minor injuries.
The Paris incident was not an isolated case of misplaced indignation. Protesters in London nearly overwhelmed police as the torch passed through Piccadilly Circus. A major protest planned for San Francisco fizzled when city officials surreptitiously altered the torch’s path at the last minute, frustrating thousands of San Franciscans who just wanted to celebrate the Games. Now we are told major protests are anticipated in India and elsewhere. Geez, can’t we all just get along?
Noteworthy individual citizens of the world are piling on China as well. “Masahisa Tsujitani’s iron shots are favored by athletes,” reported the Los Angeles Times, “but he will not produce any for Beijing in protest.” Explaining his one-man provocation, Mr. Tsujitani said, “I feel badly for the athletes who won’t get to use my shots, but after Tibet I know I’m right. Enough is enough.” Joining the Japanese craftsman’s individual approach to protest is highly respected Tanzanian Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai. Originally scheduled to carry the Olympic torch through her country, Ms. Maathai has changed her mind, citing “abuses of human rights and destruction of the environment in China,” according to the Times. Man, talk about a consistent, strident message. All that’s needed to complete China’s humiliation is for John Kerry the throw away his medals.
All this makes me wonder if the protesters know what they are doing. We know what they are trying to do, cause China to become more open, less repressive, a kinder, gentler nation. All well and good, but here’s a bulletin to reformers everywhere: short of World War III, China will change for the better if and when Chinese demand reforms. However, insulting Chinese culture and assaulting Chinese citizens, especially one-legged ones, is not the way to get the average Chinese to subscribe to our enlightened sensibilities. In fact, predictably, the vulgar protests are galvanizing opinion in China, causing a surge in national pride that runs counter to protester’s goals.
Using the Olympic Games as a hammer for change is producing more dents than progress. The beleaguered torch bearer, Jin Jing, spoke for her nation as she expressed dismay that “anyone would want to ruin such a great event,” reported the Times last Saturday. Come to think of it, she speaks for me too. Holding the Olympics in Beijing allows China to put on its happy face, but also permits the free world to send some of its best and brightest into that dark land with a unique opportunity to spread the message of freedom, openness, and democracy. The churlish protests of recent days has already muddied that communication and threatens to harden official and unofficial Chinese policies. “Chinese authorities have expressed outrage at what they see as an attempt to politicize an international sporting event and sabotage their ‘journey of harmony’ which was supposed to highlight China’s coming of age as a responsible global power,” as the Times had it.
Communists never change willingly, and there is a time and place to exert political, cultural, and economic pressure on the awakening giant that is China. Beijing this August is the wrong place and time for political intervention, and protesters would do well to put a sock in it for now.
Posted by Jerry Pomeroy in Current Affairs