One World, One Dream?

Having trouble thinking about boycotting or not boycotting the Olympics? Here's a dilemma that I experienced: How do I make a statement about the social injustices committed by China and still support and encourage the young student artists who hail from that country who are beckoning me to visit their homeland?

At the very last minute, my siblings and I were given the opportunity to purchase tickets ($40 regular, $5 for us - woohoo!!) to a very special show last night at Zellerbach Hall on the UC Berkeley campus. We had not heard any advertisement or publicity until out of the blue one of our church members, a retired staff member at Zellerbach, said she had tickets for sale at $5 for an Olympic Spectacular, a programme called "One World, One Dream" (2008 Beijing Olympic theme):

...the sights and sounds of modern and ancient China... featuring one hundred Chinese student performing artists... Combining music, dance, theater, martial arts and acrobatics, this high-energy production traces the history of the Olympics down through the centuries. Highlights include Chinese acrobats dating from the second century BCE; Peking Opera techniques and costumes; and traditional musical instruments juxtaposed with up-to-the-minute modern musical instruments, staging, and music.

The students came from:

• Academy of Chinese Traditional Opera
• Central Univ. for Nationalities
• Capital College of Physical Education
• Beijing University
• Tsinghua University
• China College of Music
• Beijing Dance Academy
• Central Conservatory of Music

As we waited for the doors to open, we noticed a lot of campus police and security officers standing outside Zellerbach even though there was no activity (read: protesting) other than the Cal student groups doing their regular practices on the quad. I couldn't help but wonder, would there be protesting? Would we be mobbed and charged at as we entered into or departed from the Hall? What kind of response would that generate in me? How would I feel? What am I doing here?

Despite the police presence, there was no unusual movement or deviation from the course of the evening, and for about 2 hours, we witnessed the pure, unadulterated, unbounded joy of student athletes, dancers, and performers of various arts from Beijing.

Imagine it -- 100 of the best student performers coming from Beijing calling us together and celebrating the human spirit, and of course, inviting us to Beijing to see the land, the cultures, the people. We witnessed the clash and clang of swords; the swirling, tipping umbrellas and conical hats of young ladies on a stroll; the fierce fists of martial artists; the delicate steps of contemporary dance; the precision and trills of opera singers; the colorful array of ethnic dress costumes; and so much more.

The turnout was low -- much lower than it should have been, and I left feeling sad for the student performers. There was very little publicity (no funds? fear of protest?) and so very little was known about this performance. I felt such conflicting emotions while sitting in the auditorium -- they appeared excited, energized, thrilled, to be here, performing with their hearts on their sleeves. I was amazed at the sheer talent -- the skill, the artistic quality of their performances was unmatchable last night. They were sizzling with good intentions. They wanted to do their best -- and they surely did. They represented themselves well, and of course, they represented their country well. But I chose to think only of how they were able to bring themselves (allowed to be brought by their govt?) across the world to say that we young peoples of the world should unite as one world.

As much as I wanted to believe that we could - should - be "forever friends" (title of their closing song/performance), as much as I wanted to believe that this young generation will be the one that changes the world, I could not help but see all the gray shadows that tainted the evening. At the end, when they were standing around the auditorium, waving star-shaped hearts (yes, they did!) and singing to us about friendship and a united world, I simultaneously wanted to jump up saying "yes, yes, we can change the world -- starting with changing the situations in Tibet and Darfur!!!" and also slinking away saying "you've been brought here through propaganda and your talents are being wasted in the service of the party and I'm afraid of the subliminal messages you're sending my way."

And then I thought I'm such a hypocrite. Anyone of them could challenge me on the same grounds -- me, living in a supposedly "free" nation that bombs innocents and wages war on millions.

They spent 11 days in the U.S., no doubt traveling around and visiting the sights and of course practicing for their performance (this was one of two places in the U.S. where they performed!). Did they sense the rejection, the dismissal, the hatred, the anger that some (heartless, un-discriminating) people have thrown their way simply b/c they come from China? Did they interpret our unresponsiveness as indifferent, uncaring? Did they feel slighted? I hope not.

They were loved. Their earnest, young faces with so much potential - loved, admired, respected. I wish them well. I wish them great accomplishments. I wish them as much joy as possible during the challenging years ahead. Most of all, I wish them discernment, good judgment, strong hearts, solid character. I wish that for us all. We need to apply all that art, love, peace, skill, and discipline toward maintaining humanity...