jenAMOS.: Before Beijing Olympics 2008 Opening

So the grand opening is tonight at 7:30pm and I thought I'd cheat a little by youtube-ing the video. The videos were there but they weren't viewable because you know... violating copyrights and such. But I did stumble upon this upsetting video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSIlGMT44as

I have to admit that the song is catchy, but how messages are relayed disturbs me:

"China agreed (in 2001 when they won the bid for the Games) to respect human rights and allow freedom of the media. However today Tibet is closed and the international media is being kept out? The World asks why China should be allowed to host the Games if it does not respect the commitments it has made, especially in relation to Tibet."

I don’t know about a lot of politics, but I know how offensive this video came off to be.

For one, some lady newscaster voice in the video kept claiming that the “Chinese government made very specific pledges in relations to human rights that included full freedom for the media to report and human rights improvement.” And “4 months before the games arrive in Beijing, you don’t see any of that.” And with that striking claim, all evidence presented was negative and forceful. How the Chinese government hasn’t reformed the rights of humans. Or how China keeps the media out. The video depicts the violence cast upon the Chinese by the government, takes a stance that it’s relationship with Sudan’s oil industry is unacceptable and makes the comparison between their government and the Nazis.

But anyway.

So with this radical video, I just wonder how many people they are trying to persuade because I’m questioning the video more than I am convinced - well I'm actually dissuaded. Especially when the video pushed that “there shouldn’t be any problem for governments or world leaders or corporations to insist that China follow through the commitments it made.”

Is that just politics or the media being who they are? When wanting to influence the masses the most strategic way is to have extreme and exaggerated evidence? Isn’t it obvious that extremities will always have their biases? And so it’s just so much easier for opposing sides to refute just as harshly?

Is it even politics and media in general? Or is that how America is? Is this the America that I live in that makes criticism that is the least bit constructive and mainly full of blame?

With information being addressed this way, it’s no wonder sensitivity and defenses are up in the air and the smallest thing can trigger the most unintentional insults.

Because of all the hype from the politics and the media, according to China Daily, “it was reported that some foreign athletes had withdrawn from the Olympics over the fear of the air pollution.” If not withdrawal, during the week of the beginning of Olympics, according to NBC sports, “four U.S. cyclists were photographed upon arrival at Beijing's brand-new airport wearing surgical-style masks.” Over-exaggerating the possible downfalls of athlete’s performances, one mustn’t overlook the progress China has actually committed to creating a better environment.

As China Daily explains, “Beijing has invested more than 100 billion yuan ($14.5 billion) in the prevention of air pollution caused by coal combustion, vehicle emissions, industries and dust; and in ecological protection and construction.” Today, the air is now decent and for anyone to still raise concerns about the air quality, according to The Denver Post, one has to consider the humidity and heat that can cause the occasional fogs that many foreign athletes have mistaken for air pollution.

With positive details such as China’s air pollution progression being overlooked, on can clearly see that one-sided stories with great displeasure against the other side should never be taken as it is. For all a forcible one-sided argument knows, they may not even know the whole story.

But anyway what’s my point? Because I think I’m losing it. :x

If this is America being imposing, if this is America pointing out the apparent defects of a country more than the advancements and constructive reforms that have been made, then America is a lot more ignorant than I realized. It’s either that, or the “the Juice Media,” whoever the heck they are because they don’t even recognize themselves to the public, need to open their eyes and be more understanding. Maybe this is even my misconception of my own country. But if this is a decent representation…

I’ve always had the idea that a lot of other countries didn’t like us. And with little and intrusive acts such as this, it helps me to understand other countries a lot more. Like I said, I don’t know a lot about politics and I’m still learning a lot about the media – seeing as my desired major will engulf the world of mass media – however in terms of negotiation and influencing others, I know it takes less than pressuring others to keep to their word.

Anyway, I don’t think China is all that bad. The whole theme for this year’s Olympics is “One World, One Dream.” And hey, have you heard their song, “Beijing Welcomes You?”

Well you are now.
& with subtitles ;]