The host nation of China has the ignominious distinction of possessing one of the world’s worst human rights records. From an illegal military occupation of Tibet, to repressive policies in Muslim East Turkestan, to stringent family planning that has included forced abortions, and the jailing of democracy and free speech activists, there is little to say positively about how China treats those who live inside their borders. Taking a look from Beijing towards the African continent and we see China’s endless thirst for fossil fuels manifesting itself by propping up the Sudanese government and providing Khartoum with the money they need to perpetrate genocide in Darfur. These are not issues that the global community has taken lightly and it is because of their gravity that the political side of the 2008 Games will be a focal point over the next few weeks … As you watch the Olympics over the next few weeks, remember that the events on TV are not happening in a vacuum.

I have mixed feelings about this situation because I don’t think it’s fair to detract from the accomplishments and competition of the world’s athletes who have worked hard to get to these games, but it’s also impossible to look past the actions of the Chinese government. Given the precarious state of US relations abroad, I hope that any demonstrators (athletes or otherwise) will follow the example set by Smith and Carlos. It was peaceful but powerful.