Listening

I must admit that internet access has greatly improved since I came to China last year. Many websites are now available that were either not available at all before or only on random and rare days: Wikipedia, Blogspot, BBC, NPR, CNN...
The government definitely still has their hand in monitoring and limiting access though. Check out this article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7577014.stm
iTunes still isn't working, and it's now the 25th.
Being here in China during the Olympic games was pretty much the same as being back in States except for some friendly competition and the amusement of comparing Chinese-run lists of the medal count and American-run lists. Oh, patriotism.
I find that Chinese patriotism frightens the West. Westerners find it difficult to separate Chinese patriotism from its ties with nationalism and the wars, secessions, imperialistic moves, and the like historically associated with nationalism. In reaction to their fear, I feel that the western media pounced on every opportunity to criticize China during the Olympic Games from age indiscretions, to Tibet protesters, to regulated media. I am in no way defending all actions of the Chinese government during the Games, but from here I witnessed the extensive effort the Chinese went through to ensure that the Games left a positive impact on the rest of the world, and it frustrates me that the media seemingly came to China looking for problems. When criticizing China it is essential to remember that it is a developing nation with a long way to go; and they know that, and are taking huge steps to reach their goal. I have seen the progress with my own eyes and in my own day to day life. In order to win the bid for the Olympic Games in the first place, China had to go through extensive reform efforts. China is a developing nation cruising along at lightening speed not only to to catch up to the West, but with a desire to surpass the West. It is no wonder Chinese patriotism frightens Westerners.
I hope that Westerners, especially Americans, take this fear of China and turn it into something positive. Americans had become complacant with their place as number one in the world, and are now scrambling to pull themselves together as the EU and China grow increasingly powerful. I hope Americans will take this opportunity to revamp the education system, open our minds, and step it up a couple of notches.
I bought a T-shirt at the supermarket the other day. It says (in English) "Listen to China's Voice!" and in Chinese, "Go China!" I don't think it is a matter of listening - the world is listening with rapt attention - it is a matter of how the world interprets what they hear and how they react.