Good Cause, Bad Solution
David Vranicar, Contributing Writer
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: Perspectives
Richard Belmonte's Letter to the Editor in last week's Highlander addressed a worthy issue with a foolish proposal.
In response to a previous article that ran in the Highlander, Belmonte sought to convince readers that the entire world should boycott the Summer Olympics in Beijing to show disapproval for China's treatment of Tibetans. Boycotting the Olympics, he said, "sends the message that China's policy towards Tibet is repugnant."
I agree with some of Belmonte's analysis on the situation in Tibet - that the Chinese government has unjustly quelled religious expression in Tibet and tried to make the province conform to Chinese ideals.
But if bringing attention to these perceived injustices is what Belmonte wants to do, then boycotting the Olympics is absolutely the wrong approach. The best way to make the world aware of the situation in Tibet - a situation that has in recent weeks turned deadly - is for the Games to carry on. The presence of the Olympics will make the need for peace in the region more pressing for both the Chinese government and countries around the world.
The upcoming Olympics have already helped make this issue bigger than it would have been otherwise. The New York Times, for example, featured articles about pro-Tibet protests and the Olympic torch on its front page on Mon., Tues., and Wed. of last week. Does Belmonte think that Tibet would be getting that sort of attention if not for the Olympics? In addition, Sen. Hillary Clinton joined other politicians, including leaders in England and France, in proposing a boycott of the Games' opening ceremony. It may not have crossed Belmonte's mind, but the upcoming Olympics are actually increasing awareness of Tibetans' plight.
The fact that athletes from all over the world will be descending upon China's capital does not signal to Beijing that they condone what's happening in Tibet. Instead, it will simply put more pressure on the Chinese government to handle the situation with care and sensibility. The presence of the Olympics guarantees that media eyes from all over the world will be focused on Tibet. If there was all of a sudden a worldwide promise to not attend the Games, then that scrutiny - which may be the best way of ensuring restraint on the part of the Chinese government - will be somewhat nullified.
In response to a previous article that ran in the Highlander, Belmonte sought to convince readers that the entire world should boycott the Summer Olympics in Beijing to show disapproval for China's treatment of Tibetans. Boycotting the Olympics, he said, "sends the message that China's policy towards Tibet is repugnant."
I agree with some of Belmonte's analysis on the situation in Tibet - that the Chinese government has unjustly quelled religious expression in Tibet and tried to make the province conform to Chinese ideals.
But if bringing attention to these perceived injustices is what Belmonte wants to do, then boycotting the Olympics is absolutely the wrong approach. The best way to make the world aware of the situation in Tibet - a situation that has in recent weeks turned deadly - is for the Games to carry on. The presence of the Olympics will make the need for peace in the region more pressing for both the Chinese government and countries around the world.
The upcoming Olympics have already helped make this issue bigger than it would have been otherwise. The New York Times, for example, featured articles about pro-Tibet protests and the Olympic torch on its front page on Mon., Tues., and Wed. of last week. Does Belmonte think that Tibet would be getting that sort of attention if not for the Olympics? In addition, Sen. Hillary Clinton joined other politicians, including leaders in England and France, in proposing a boycott of the Games' opening ceremony. It may not have crossed Belmonte's mind, but the upcoming Olympics are actually increasing awareness of Tibetans' plight.
The fact that athletes from all over the world will be descending upon China's capital does not signal to Beijing that they condone what's happening in Tibet. Instead, it will simply put more pressure on the Chinese government to handle the situation with care and sensibility. The presence of the Olympics guarantees that media eyes from all over the world will be focused on Tibet. If there was all of a sudden a worldwide promise to not attend the Games, then that scrutiny - which may be the best way of ensuring restraint on the part of the Chinese government - will be somewhat nullified.
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