Since 2001, Chinese officials have been working feverishly to prepare for the upcoming 2008 Summer Olympics. It was a long and arduous process to get Beijing selected as the host of this world event.
Chinese officials were paranoid about the impression they would give off to the millions who will have their eyes trained on the country and its citizens. Training was implemented to accustom Beijing residents to western customs such as standing in line and not spitting in public. A squad of sign-checkers were sent to scour the city in search of businesses displaying poorly worded English.
Limits on driving and the shutting down of factories were timed months in advance to minimize the smog that plagues this coastal city.
One thing, however, China was unable to clean up in time for the games: its human rights record.
China has long been criticized of committing human rights violations, and it was hoping to use the Olympic games to clean up its image. Instead, it is becoming a forum for the world to focus in on the horrible acts of the Chinese government.
One of the most recent things to be focused on is the fact that China is a key ally and supporter of the Sudanese government. Despite this fact, it has done little if anything to pressure the Sudanese to end the years of bloodshed that have destroyed the region of Darfur.
Protests were conducted in cities across the world, and people were calling for divestment from the Olympics. In a sign of solidarity with this movement, Steven Spielberg resigned from his post as director of the Opening Ceremonies.
As we get closer to the Olympics, we must think what we can do to use this opportunity to put pressure on the Chinese government. Let’s make this an event of global change, not global shame.
