Note: There are several YouTube videos here. We recommend that you read the whole article first.
For the People, not the party
Abraham Lincoln in his most famous speech, the Gettysburg Address, spoke about the greatest assets we have as Americans. He said our government was “of the people, by the people, for the people.”
I contrast this with present-day Communist China; a government that is of the leaders, by the leaders, for the leaders. Which is so ironic, because socialism claims to be all about fairness. Nothing could have made this any clearer than the story of Gold Medal winning diver Wu Minxia.
When I heard that her parents did not tell her that her grandparents had died for fear of distracting her in the Olympics, I assumed that they had died suddenly—within the past week—since she left China for London. I thought, that’s understandable.
I nearly fell out of my chair when I read a little further that HER GRANDPARENTS HAVE BEEN DEAD FOR A YEAR!
Unlike in America, the rich Chinese government backs their athletes and “have a harsh, almost militaristic ‘win at all costs’ mentality. Athletes in China are often taken away from their families at very young ages to train for hours on end. In the case of Wu Minxia, she began diving training at age 6, and left home at 16, bound for a government aquatic training institute.
“The Chinese government only publicly congratulates gold medalists through the media – not silver or bronze.”[i]
In short, it is a sick culture that values government face-saving pride over its precious children. It robs youngsters of their innocence and destroys families. And we are just talking about the Olympics—not slave labor!
Wu Minxia’s father lamented, “We accepted a long time ago that she doesn’t belong entirely to us. I don’t even dare to think about things like enjoying family happiness.”[ii]
Contrast that with the American athletes. First of all, they are privately funded by Americans, not America. We love our athletes even more than we love winning… although we do love winning. And yes, to be an Olympian means hard work and incredible dedication. No Olympian from any nation enjoys a completely normal life. But a child should never feel that she has shamed her family and country if she doesn’t bring home the Gold.
Had Derek Been Chinese, he would still be in Barcelona
Thank goodness that Derek Redmond was British and not Chinese. In 1992, while running the 400-meter semi-final he tore his hamstring. He collapsed as if he had been shot. The moving YouTube videos that highlight this tragic event have received tens of millions of views, as he picks himself up in order to wobble to the finish line—even after everyone else had finished.
Yet the act that has caused grown men to break down in tears is when his father runs through security to help his son get to the finish line. If he were Chinese, he might still be laying on that track! A shame to his government!
From CNN.com
You would think with all that pressure and money the Chinese would win every event. And yet it is the care-free, fun-loving Americans who lead the medal count (although for some bizarre reason, CNN shows China in the lead…hmmm…could make a joke here: Communist News Network?) The US has 37 medals to China’s 34, both with 18 gold.
Silver Medal: a disgrace to government, family and supporters?
Wu Jingbiao, who won silver in weightlifting, wept bitterly after missing gold saying, “I’m ashamed for disgracing the motherland, the Chinese weightlifting team and all those who supported me. I’m sorry.”[iii]
(Below is an unofficial Chinese news report on the absurdity of the Chinese attitude concerning the Olympics.)
While Chinese government officials pressure their athletes to victory or shame, the Americans are making silly YouTube videos that are going viral, revealing that they’ve truly got it right. With nearly 5,000,000 views, their high-spirited rendition of Carlie Rae Jepson’s Call Me Maybe[iv] reveals these kids having fun—serious, yes—pushed by an overbearing nation to win or be dishonored and humiliated, no!
Who knows, with the internet, unofficial Chinese news outlets speaking the truth…and even some athletes ignoring the ‘party’ and thanking her parents, maybe things will change in China. Sadly, no one is holding their breath—well, unless it becomes an Olympic sport, then the Chinese will be sure to find some three year old to take into training.
FOOTNOTE 1: Check out this unofficial Chinese report about the courage of a medal winner thanking her parents and not the government. She knew exactly what she was doing. Who knows what awaits her back in China.
FOOTNOTE 2: In case anyone is confused, I love the Chinese people and as a Jew, their food! There is a great underground revival in China where as many as 10,000 people a day are coming to faith. My issue is with the criminal communist party leaders.
What are your thoughts on this subject? Comment below! Are the Chinese too tough? What about the Americans?
[i] http://www.inquisitr.com/290367/chinese-diver-wins-gold-finds-out-granparents-have-been-dead/#vq91v8mecCZ7CTBM.99
[ii] ibid
[iii] http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=11d_1343960999
[iv] Having taken a peak at the real video for this song, I don’t recommend it! I just love the spirit of the athletes having fun with it.
Comments