Shaming China
Posted by Jason Harris on April 24th, 2008
The Olympic torch relay has been an absolute debacle. It’s like the whole world is participating in a big shaming of China. And for good reason. China has been trying to play with the big boys economically for quite some time now but has avoided accountability at all cost. Well, maybe we’ll turn a blind eye just before a business deal, but it seems that when it comes to celebrating sport and the Olympic spirit, all eyes are wide open. China is being shamed by the world, and she deserves it.
China has treated religious freedom as a luxury to be bestowed on the co-operative. China has harassed, imprisoned, tortured, and even executed people for their religious beliefs for decades and continues this oppression without remorse to this day. I’m glad that this torch relay has not been peaceful. This torch carries with it the heritage of oppression and the blood of martyrs. I understand that we try to isolate the Olympics from the brokenness of the real world so that we can focus on something good and honourable, and in that sense, I’m glad the torch is traversing the free world. But in another sense, you cannot honour something good and noble with blood on your hands. In that sense, I’m glad that the Olympic flame is being greeted by protests the world over and I hope it will not have a peaceful stop on it’s journey.
China has chosen this. Shame on China.