Is #WhereIsPengShuai a Call-To-Action or Much-To-Do-About-Nothing?

Headline: WTA suspends tournament play in China over concern for Peng Shuai's safety, Associated Press, December 1, 2022.

Peng Shuai's allegations are much to do about nothing and an internal matter for China UNLESS you can eliminate all hypocrisies, double standards, and attempts to leverage other people's money in support of your own personal values.

Suppose we all agree that most Western media is biased and anti-China. What else could also be true?

If Peng Shuai were Stormy Daniels (a.k.a. Stephanie Gregory Clifford) or Monica Lewinsky, "Western" media WOULD seek to hear their voices? While "Western societies" WOULD NOT tolerate their disappearance.

On the other hand, most Chinese people watch Western media coverage like soap operas, not as a call-to-action for change. And they consider news not flattering towards China as disrespectful. Period.

Peng Shuai's allegations against a former high-ranking Chinese official are both "not flattering" and "disrespectful" to China's image. In terms of Western values and the #METOO movement, respecting China and their cultural need for Face is a non-issue, so another impasse arises. This saga with Peng Shuai is irrelevant to most Chinese people within their societal norms and values.

Therefore, a more pertinent question is whether this is an "internal" matter for China?

Suppose you believe this is a call-to-action on behalf of women everywhere. In that case, it is necessary to acknowledge and reconcile any hypocrisies that would cloud the righteousness of taking a moral position on #WhereIsPengShuai. One cannot be a hypocrite and hope to unite a plurality of followers.

Additionally, constructive dialogue is stifled when either side of a debate makes an EITHER/OR assertion or FALSE CORRELATION. For example:

"China is an authoritarian regime where media is tightly controlled, and critics are known to disappear; therefore, Peng Shuai's allegations of sexual assault must be investigated."

Credible allegations of sexual assault should always be investigated, and the CCP's authoritarian nature should be irrelevant in the context of warranting an investigation. Therefore, you may be able to shift the conversation by including your hopes into your aspirations:

"China is an authoritarian regime where media is tightly controlled, and critics are known to disappear; therefore, we want to use a high-profile Chinese athlete to bring more attention to this issue as a means to pressure the CCP to loosen its authoritarian tendencies."

Another example:

"We cannot condone this type of coercion and suppression of free speech by continuing our financial ties with China."

WTA chairman and CEO Steve Simon is the only person in the world in a position to make such a statement because there are direct financial implications. And he has. In contrast, the National Basketball Association (NBA) did not make any such statement regarding Daryl Morey's tweet or Enes Kanter's assertions, and we should not expect NBA players to either. It's their money, not yours.

It is easy for journalists and other media personalities to say "our" when they DO NOT have a financial stake in the outcome, which is why their opinions are viewed as "anti-China."

Peng Shuai's allegations are much to do about nothing and an internal matter for China UNLESS you can eliminate all hypocrisies, double standards, and attempts to leverage other people's money in support of your own personal values.

Also Read: The MOST Likely Questionable Truth About Peng Shuai