It was on the 9th of April 2008 when Olympic Torch traveled to San Francisco as one of its tour. I was prepared to welcome the torch as it is once in a life time opportunity. I even canceled my class for this. However, I end up protesting China together with Free Burma group. We waited at the McCovey Cove where the torch should have began its journey through the city. It was disappointing that the torch did not show up but instead came out on the deserted road where people those who wanted to welcome as well as those who wanted to protest did not expect to. Only a handful of people in nearby apartment and the torchbearers enjoyed the relay.
I felt outrageous and betrayed by the city I love. I thought the mayor represents the city and he will allow its citizen to enjoy the warm flame of Olympics. No matter what security reasons they give, it is ashame for the City of a free country and Beijing for their act of passing the torch in secrecy. It is the torch that people should enjoy in full extent, not the elites. It should and must come out in the mass public to enable its spirit no matter there were protesters or not.
Regarding the protesters, I am strongly against any act that leads to violence and I think people must show restraint in action in expressing their emotion and belief. The event happened in Paris where an activist attempted to grab the torch was indeed ugly. Extinguishing the Olympic Flame will not extinguish the flame of genocide or oppression of Beijing. Therefore, it is energy stupid to do so.
Personally, I love Olympics as it unites the world and its intention of a peaceful world. I am against calling for boycotts as it is unfair for the athletes who trained their best for years to compete for the world's most prestigious medals. However, I support political leaders to boycott the opening ceremony in Beijing. China asked the world not to politicize Olympics, didn't it? On the other hand, this will carry a message to the Chinese leaders that any kind of violations of human rights would not be tolerated by the world's community. Oh yes, dictators would probably attend if they are invited. Actually, no one is politicizing Olympics, it is just that people express their wish on this High-Profile event. Protesting at this time is the best to draw the attention of the world. If we do not voice at this time, no one is going to hear what we want and Beijing's Government can easily ignored. Didn't Olympics committee award Beijing Olympics as they hope to see China to improve human rights? Why is the committee silence now? Silence Diplomacy? I would laugh out loud that without transparency, any diplomatic effort has no confidence.
Anyway, when I arrived the McCovey Cove, thousands of Pro-Chinese were already there waving their enormous flags over the tiny flags of Tibet and those of Burma group. It is ashame for the Chinese to obstruct other people expression in this land of freedom. It is their right to hold those huge flags but they do not possess the right to cover up others. Just in front of my eyes, a Chinese woman attempted so many times to cover a poster of a protesting Burmese which she failed and therefore, hitting the man with her miniature flag of China. I felt so disgusting by the act and people started to pull her back. As the man did not want to break out violence, he did not respond with anger. I understand the Chinese that they would feel bad to see so many people were against them but I felt pity on them that they did not try to understand why it was like that. Nationalism should not make one blind. They should find a solution to this instead of accusing the activists.
Being able to hold Olympics is a pride for every nation. Holding with a kind heart is noble but holding it as power show-off is ashame. Beijing Olympics is a show-off that the rise of Chinese Communist Party. No matter how the President of China confirming that the rise of China is a peaceful rise and will be harmonious to the world, this could not be believed unless China acts as a responsible superpower which will guarantee human rights. China always said it is that particular country's internal affair which cannot harm the international peace and no one should interfere. I want to question China that is it fair to call a country's internal affair where ordinary people are oppressed by the weapons and money supported by your country, in this case, Darfur and Burma? Is it fair for the people in those nations standing against their dictators with nothing in hand? Is it fair to ignore the voices of the oppressed people? If so, your rise is not a peaceful rise. A powerful and influence nation should act responsibly to end the oppression in any part of the world. Oh yes, I forgot that China also oppressed its people in Tibet. If China is not, they should allow the media in. I understand that China wants to keep Tibet as part of its country. However, they should not accuse Dalai Lama as a separatist who constantly said he just wants autonomy. It is again ashame for China to ignore this voice and keep accusing him as a separatist.
Back to Olympic torch relay in San Francisco, I believe that this relay is a complete failure for China as well as for San Francisco even though Chinese ambassador called this "success". First reason, the torch did not pass through the people and thus lacking the intention of the relay. Second, this relay did not benefit any people, including the citizens of San Francisco, proud Chinese-Americans, Save Darfur Group, Free Tibet activists and Free Burma Group as it passed through nowhere. Third, it is an insult to the United States in doubting the people in peaceful protests and the decision of changing the route by the Mayor Newsom and Police Chief Heather Fong is an act of coward. Forth, the torch was still heavily guarded by the police even though it was carried through nowhere. This revealed the fear of Chinese officials. At last, this torch does not represent humanity nor "the journey of harmony" as the Chinese called because it does not represent people of the world but Beijing's atrocity and it does not let the people of San Francisco enjoy. Why the torch bother coming to San Francisco if they did not meant to expose it to the public?
That building, in the middle of the field is monastery.