2008 Woodie Awards
Olympic games to governmental blames
Vincent Capone, Collegian Columnist
Issue date: 9/9/08 Section: Editorial / Opinion
This summer, China's hosting of the Beijing Olympics was undoubtedly a major success for a nation with over a fifth of the world's population. Billions tuned into the games to see China eagerly showcase its hospitality and modernity.
However, America's news depicting China during the games was filled with anti-China sentiment.
From human rights issues within China, to China's inactions in Sudan, to an imagined gymnastics scandal, the news media targeted China. It seems that in America's eye, China can do no right.
Many feel that China needs to become a mirror image of the West. But who says that the Western way is the progressive way?
When it comes to China's bad reputation concerning Sudan, I fail to see how anyone knowledgeable in today's modern politics can assume that China alone can end the genocide in the area. China's interests in Sudan relate back to its dependence on their oil reserves. How can Americans blame them for failing to incite trouble just so they can ensure oil supplies?
The U.S. is so strongly tied to its oil imports that we went to war with Iraq to keep our oil safe. Therefore, why should we expect China to end its relations with Sudan and cut off a significant supply of its future foreign oil?
China sees itself as the main force behind all third-world nations, and is using its growing world dominance to speak for these African nations, helping them in their struggles to be recognized. Compare that to the West's notorious history of abusing Africa. Whether through the slave trade, stripping the continent of resources or brutally forming colonies which Africans nations are still working to fix, the past actions and messes that the west created.
During the Olympics, many westerners argued that the Chinese glamorized the games by using fake fireworks and highlighting a little girl who sung the anthem who was more attractive than the actual singer. But we can only look to our own media to see parallels to China's so-called "forgery."
However, America's news depicting China during the games was filled with anti-China sentiment.
From human rights issues within China, to China's inactions in Sudan, to an imagined gymnastics scandal, the news media targeted China. It seems that in America's eye, China can do no right.
Many feel that China needs to become a mirror image of the West. But who says that the Western way is the progressive way?
When it comes to China's bad reputation concerning Sudan, I fail to see how anyone knowledgeable in today's modern politics can assume that China alone can end the genocide in the area. China's interests in Sudan relate back to its dependence on their oil reserves. How can Americans blame them for failing to incite trouble just so they can ensure oil supplies?
The U.S. is so strongly tied to its oil imports that we went to war with Iraq to keep our oil safe. Therefore, why should we expect China to end its relations with Sudan and cut off a significant supply of its future foreign oil?
China sees itself as the main force behind all third-world nations, and is using its growing world dominance to speak for these African nations, helping them in their struggles to be recognized. Compare that to the West's notorious history of abusing Africa. Whether through the slave trade, stripping the continent of resources or brutally forming colonies which Africans nations are still working to fix, the past actions and messes that the west created.
During the Olympics, many westerners argued that the Chinese glamorized the games by using fake fireworks and highlighting a little girl who sung the anthem who was more attractive than the actual singer. But we can only look to our own media to see parallels to China's so-called "forgery."
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David
posted 9/09/08 @ 3:23 AM EST
You are 10000% right, Vincent. Good on you. USA and whole western world need more journalists like you, no bias, no lies and honest. Great work.
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