2008 Woodie Awards
China's support of Sudan tarnishes Olympics
By: Letter to the Editor
Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: Forum
In reference to last week's column concerning the Olympic Games in China and how we should support the athletes ["Don't boycott Olympic Games," April 15], I would just like to state that for all of those agreeing with Zach Franks' column, there is another set of games going on right now in Africa sponsored by the Chinese government: the Genocide Games.
Held in Darfur for the last four years, these "games" have resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands of people. And with the U.N. passing resolution after resolution calling for action and the U.S. government declaring it a genocide, nothing has been done to stop it.
Why, you ask? Because China needs the oil in Sudan (Darfur is a region in Sudan) to fuel its economy to make most of the televisions you will be watching the Olympics on. They buy the weapons China produces to further use on the people of the Darfur region.
Although genocide is only widely excepted as one of the single most deplorable acts a country or person can commit, it seems to me a group of people running around tracks and playing badminton (yes, it is an Olympic sport) is far more important.
I mean, we did go to the Games in Germany in 1936, and look how well that turned out for us. It really changed Hitler's mind on everything.
So let's support the Games and China's support of Sudan's genocide, and then we can watch the Genocide Games, Monk Chasing and then the complete destruction of our environment, all from the comfort of our own homes.
And then the athletes can take home their medals, which were probably mined from Africa and completely ignore the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, the displacement of millions and the ignoring of the rights of peoples all over the world - all for a sports contest.
- Kevin Hartman
Senior, Political Science/History
Held in Darfur for the last four years, these "games" have resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands of people. And with the U.N. passing resolution after resolution calling for action and the U.S. government declaring it a genocide, nothing has been done to stop it.
Why, you ask? Because China needs the oil in Sudan (Darfur is a region in Sudan) to fuel its economy to make most of the televisions you will be watching the Olympics on. They buy the weapons China produces to further use on the people of the Darfur region.
Although genocide is only widely excepted as one of the single most deplorable acts a country or person can commit, it seems to me a group of people running around tracks and playing badminton (yes, it is an Olympic sport) is far more important.
I mean, we did go to the Games in Germany in 1936, and look how well that turned out for us. It really changed Hitler's mind on everything.
So let's support the Games and China's support of Sudan's genocide, and then we can watch the Genocide Games, Monk Chasing and then the complete destruction of our environment, all from the comfort of our own homes.
And then the athletes can take home their medals, which were probably mined from Africa and completely ignore the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, the displacement of millions and the ignoring of the rights of peoples all over the world - all for a sports contest.
- Kevin Hartman
Senior, Political Science/History
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jeremy
posted 4/21/08 @ 7:08 AM EST
This is a horribly stupid argument. If we were to attend the Olympics, we are not supporting genocide. Now, if we gave them a lot of guns and ammunition and drove them to Sudan, then I can see your point. (Continued…)
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