2008 Woodie Awards
Jesuit mission compromised by silence on Tibetan protests and China's human rights violations
Mark Nolfi '11
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Opinion
The issue of Chinese control of Tibet has been simmering for centuries, especially since the upsurge of protest that began in the early '90s.
The issue has been a point of contention in Western-Chinese international relations for many years; but, as a result of the approaching Summer Olympics in Beijing, the protest of China's continuing occupation of highly nationalist Tibet has reached a new tenor.
Many have argued that the honor of hosting the Olympic Games should only be conferred upon a nation that does the Games justice. However, there are others that say the Olympics are simply an international contest of strength, speed, and ability.
Historically, the Olympics have been used as a platform for the promotion of the latest political cause. The most famous of these was the 1936 Olympics in which Jesse Owens was famous for dismantling Hitler's well-constructed propaganda that had been prevalent throughout the Games by winning four gold medals in the track and field events.
Therefore, the accusations that the Olympics shouldn't be used for political purposes are completely off base.
The international and idealistic nature of the Olympics, coupled with the enormous amount of money that is invested in everything from Olympic advertising, to facilities to support the athletes and the visitors result in a lot at stake for the country hosting the event. As a result, the Olympics are used as leverage against countries involved in the events.
While the calls for boycotting the Beijing Olympics are reasonable and valid, banning of any countries from the Games has a reverse effect.
This decision serves to create a kind of exclusive "boys club" that the excluded members feel that they need to snub the international community to retain their dignity.
Furthermore, using these historical justifications, the protests in London, Paris, and San Francisco are completely valid.
If these protests and the calls of boycott are actually abided by, they have the complete possibility to produce change and free Tibet from its unlawful occupation of over 50 years.
The issue has been a point of contention in Western-Chinese international relations for many years; but, as a result of the approaching Summer Olympics in Beijing, the protest of China's continuing occupation of highly nationalist Tibet has reached a new tenor.
Many have argued that the honor of hosting the Olympic Games should only be conferred upon a nation that does the Games justice. However, there are others that say the Olympics are simply an international contest of strength, speed, and ability.
Historically, the Olympics have been used as a platform for the promotion of the latest political cause. The most famous of these was the 1936 Olympics in which Jesse Owens was famous for dismantling Hitler's well-constructed propaganda that had been prevalent throughout the Games by winning four gold medals in the track and field events.
Therefore, the accusations that the Olympics shouldn't be used for political purposes are completely off base.
The international and idealistic nature of the Olympics, coupled with the enormous amount of money that is invested in everything from Olympic advertising, to facilities to support the athletes and the visitors result in a lot at stake for the country hosting the event. As a result, the Olympics are used as leverage against countries involved in the events.
While the calls for boycotting the Beijing Olympics are reasonable and valid, banning of any countries from the Games has a reverse effect.
This decision serves to create a kind of exclusive "boys club" that the excluded members feel that they need to snub the international community to retain their dignity.
Furthermore, using these historical justifications, the protests in London, Paris, and San Francisco are completely valid.
If these protests and the calls of boycott are actually abided by, they have the complete possibility to produce change and free Tibet from its unlawful occupation of over 50 years.
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