Have you seen the interview CNN reporter Chris Cuomo conducted with Dennis Rodman about his most recent trip to North Korea?
Were you bothered by Rodman’s rants?
I certainly was.
Rodman has been to North Korea four times in less than 12 months and has become a close friend with the country’s brutal dictator, Kim Jong Un, who recently fashioned the execution of his own uncle. This week’s visit to the nuclear-armed country was for a basketball exhibition game Rodman organized between North Korean players and former NBA players for Un’s birthday.
During the satellite interview, Cuomo asked Rodman if he will speak up for the family of Kenneth Bae, the American who has been imprisoned in North Korea since November 2012. For months, Bae, who has health problems, was in a labor-intense concentration camp until he was recently transferred to a prison hospital. North Korea charged Bae with “planning an operation to topple North Korea’s government through religious activities. Bae was sentenced to 15 years.
As Cuomo asked the question, Rodman immediately became irate and went off on the reporter. Rodman went as far as to say that he doesn’t “Give a rat’s a*#” what Cuomo thought. He also implied that Bae is guilty.
I suppose because Dennis Rodman is, well, Dennis Rodman; very little he does should shock me, however, his friendship with Un did just that. There are certain things we simply should not do and certain people we should not associate with; particularly dictators who allow thousands upon thousands of people in their country to starve, while also executing their own family members.
The United States’ relationship with North Korea is another issue. Un has repeatedly threatened America with nuclear weapons and continues to ignore the United Nations peace treaty.
I am in total support of people making money for their respective professions, but there needs to be some sort of an ethical standard – particularly in relation to foreign countries. When foreign countries disrespect the United States, Americans should consider that a disrespect to their individual homes. This country is ours and we should not only be proud of it, but also support its worldwide initiatives such as advocating for peace, working to eliminate hunger, supporting the rights of all people.
Rodman is not the only American celebrity to go overseas for money – we’ve seen countless singers and actors do the same thing – often performing for royalty or political leaders.
Rodman needs to be careful because Un may simply be using him as a pawn, something to dangle in America’s face as a sign of amusement.
But what if that isn’t the case? What if Rodman really is trying to informally foster better relations between the U.S. and North Korea?
That concept may not be as far-fetched as one may think.
During his interview with Cuomo, Rodman said his orchestration of the exhibition basketball game is “a great idea for the world.”
Sports can unite people, so who knows? Maybe it could happen. It certainly has in the past.
In the 1970s there was tension between the U.S and China, but after table tennis player Glen Cowan broke the ice, the two countries began talking.
So it certainly could happen for the U.S. and North Korea, but I’m not so confident.
There are a few things that should be considered as a result of Rodman’s actions (they certainly make for good debates):
Should Americans who travel abroad be considered informal diplomats tasked with forging relationships with foreign leaders and freeing imprisoned Americans? Is it their responsibility, or that of elected officials such as the president and secretary of state?
Do Americans have a moral responsibility to not “support” countries that do a disservice to their own people? That lack of support means refusing to work in foreign countries or even travel to them for recreational activities.
Are Americans being too sensitive about Rodman and the other NBA players’ efforts? Should they be condemned for simply playing basketball?
I am not totally convinced it’s Rodman’s sole responsibility to free Bae, but I do feel the former Chicago Bulls star is grossly wrong in his constant praise of Kim Jong Un and his predecessors (Rodman said Un’s father and grandfather “were great leaders,” despite having generations of families living in horrific camps and multitudes of people starving while financial resources go towards the military and the country’s nuclear efforts). Rodman may not be obligated to be a global humanitarian, but he should be more respectful of his home country.
I’m eager to hear your responses to the aforementioned questions. Post a comment on Facebook/IndianapolisRecorder.
