American Media Has Been Ever So Gentle

During the first official day of the Olympics the almost-worst happened for China. It's not that they faltered on an event and missed a chance for gold. It was the tragic attack of American tourist, Todd Bachman, that resulted in his death and the critical injury of his wife.

As you've gotten your fill of on NBC, these Olympics signify so much more than just competition for China. China has been preparing for this moment for years, to show the world (meaning the Western world) what a great nation China has become and is capable of. A killing like this, could have been easily exploited to take extra shots at China and the Chinese people.

Instead, it doesn't seem like anyone at all is angry. NBC has handled the situation ever so graciously. Each time the topic is brought up they are quick to point out that the attack was "random" and not necessarily pointed at Americans or the US Olympic Team. There have been numerous comments about how one event should not be used to define a country or its people. Even President Bush was quick to praise the Chinese in their handling of the situation.

Not even friends and family of the man killed in the incident are upset. They already held a gathering for him, and instead of seeking vengeance for his killer, they merely praised his life. Either that, or the media simply didn't show me any of their distress.

Is this a sign of the times? Have we, as a world society, finally come to understand that nationalities are nothing more than spurious categories that reveal regionality and not personality. Do we now realize that just because you were born amongst a group of people doesn't mean you act and think exactly like them and that our selves are not pre-destined by the geography of our birth?

Have we evolved from the days when we painted ourselves an image of a terrorist, and any person that could be molded into this poorly resolved rendering should be shunned and ostracized? Has 7 years of relative peace and a tiresome war, taught us that perhaps the brash generalizations of yesteryear have gotten us no where?

I think not.

So what is it? Why do we see such delicate tongues, and empathetic eyes when discussing this attack? Has China's grandeur and artistry from the opening ceremonies pre-convinced us of its good intentions. Or do we respect China as an equal because soon, it will dominate the economic landscape (in GDP)?

Either way, I am quite pleased at how the media has handled this debacle. Flabbergasted, but pleased.

BTW, that image is the Chinese word for "cautious."