When Cameron Diaz went down to Peru this past weekend, she thought she was making a fashion statement with her bag that said "SERVE THE PEOPLE" in Chinese. This was one of Mao Zedong's most famous slogans.
In Hollywood, this kind of thing is good for a star's career. Since hardly anyone knows who Mao Zedong is, the reaction on Rodeo Drive is "Wow, isn't it great that Cameron cares so much about the people?" Peru, however, is trying to recover from the grim legacy of the Shining Path insurgency. This Maoist guerilla movement killed more than 70,000 Peruvians over the last few decades. Naturally Peruvians were outraged at Diaz's cultural insensitivity in adopting the motto of a terrorist organization. Stung by the criticism, the beauty with the big smile was gracious enough to apologize.
Is there a lesson to be learned here? Just as Los Angeles is full of agencies that teach our celebrity nitwits to look right and walk right, perhaps someone should start giving classes on how to address political issues around the world.
On the other hand, drop the idea. Probably the people running those classes would be Michael Moore or Rosie O'Donnell. Compared to those two, the naive ignorance of Cameron Diaz is certainly preferable.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. ¡Pobrecita!
In her defense, Diaz probably truly has no idea who Mao was.
In that way could be a perfect "useful idiot" (as per the old communist phrase) in that she might be persuaded and would innocently and honestly be willing to consider them Mao's ideas - again.
It is all because she cares. ...
Ken Berg at 2:18PM on Jun 25th 2007
2. Remember the Nagano Olympics, when NBC got in trouble for broadcasting from a Buddhist temple, because the network cameras couldn't avoid the Buddhist equivalent of the cross, the swastika?
Never mind the fact that Adolf Hitler, being a typical New Ager, wrongly assumed that the Buddhists believed what he did when he tried to replace the symbol of Christianity, which he hated, with that of Buddhism, even using the Sanskrit name "swastika" and sending an SS officer to Tibet to try to enlist the Tibetans (see "Seven Years in Tibet"). People get the idea that you support genocide when you display a swastika.
But a "Che" tee-shirt is okay.
Don Schenk at 1:31PM on Jun 26th 2007
3. When will Dinesh D'Souza apologize for writing that slavery isn't racist, that slaves were treated "pretty well," that segregationists only wanted to PROTECT African-Americans, and for a lifetime of racist stereotyping of blacks that would get a warm reception at any Klan rally? This strikes me as a somewhat more serious offense than Ms. Diaz's less than encyclopedic knowledge of forty-year-old Maoist slogans
And while we're on the subject of China, I'm having trouble recalling the Ayatollah D'Souza's bold denunciation of Rupert Murdoch's zealous collaboration with Chinese censors. Perhaps it was on one of Dinesh's frequent appearances on Fox News... or perhaps not.
richter at 2:54PM on Jun 25th 2007
4. I think it shows something that the only way "richter" can defend commie-chic is to slander D'Sousa, calling him a segregationist (sure, he got that "tan" from India, but...) and supporter of socialist dictator Mao.
Considering that both Stalin and Mao killed at least ten times as many as Hitler, commie-chic should be as taboo as nazi-chic.
Don Schenk at 1:30PM on Jun 26th 2007
5. Dinesh, C'mon, I have witnessed so many American tourist's commit Faux Pas in other countries it's crazy. Most American's do not educate themselves on cultural, political, proper attire and history of the countries they visit.
Yes, it is offensive to the peoples of those countries but alot of Americans could care less about offending people of other countries. We have a tendency to feel superior towards the 'Great Unwashed', and it is the reason many counties hate us. We need to learn how to respect people when we are visitors in their countries. VISITORS!
What Ms. Diaz did was wrong but it was not done with the purpose to disrespect the people of Peru.
She has enough hired help to have researched the history of Peru, before she left. She was humble in her public apology and I think she won't make the same mistake twice when she visits another foreign land. Goodness, it is a bit hard to keep up with polotical problems in South America, 'ya think?
I almost got a bit crazy when I saw the way you spelled Chairman Mao's name. But like a good person, I consulted his name on sites and realized it has now become an accepted spelling of Mao Tse-Tung.
Peace BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW!!!!!!!!!!!
rhodalee at 3:20PM on Jun 25th 2007
6. Cameron Diaz and her fashion statement....the ugly American is alive and well.
Willet at 1:22PM on Jun 26th 2007
7. I repeatedly try and fail to understand why Americans are so infatuated with these nitwits called celebrities. Most don't have anything beyond a high school education.... several don't even have that. How did we get to this point? And why do even care what they say or do? And, especially, when they start to tell US what to do or how to think, why don't we respond with a giant outburst of laughter?
eM at 6:57PM on Jun 25th 2007
8. eM,
I get a whiff of the commonwealth from you. Am I wrong?
lil_turk at 8:44AM on Jun 26th 2007
9. DD,
When are you going to hold those classes explaining to Republicans that Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11, WMD's have NOT been found in Iraq, and Salman Pak was NOT a terrorist training site? I've got my tuition money right here, Buddy, and I want to see all the mullets in that class.
Hugs,
lil_turk at 8:47AM on Jun 26th 2007
10. As with Richard Gere unintentionally offending folks in India earlier, this episode again points out how some Americans honestly do not bother to figure anything out about a country before traveling.
They simply do not bother to try to understand the culture or the habits or the history of those they are visiting.
This sort of narcissism is truly amazing; they expect everyone to understand Them and where They come from, and how They feel, etc., but in fact they make little or no effort to understand others.
When in due course they cause offense, thankfully most Americans have the good sense to own up to the mistake and apologize, but the entire thing could have been avoided if only they were not so self-absorbed and clueless in the first place.
Ken Berg at 10:18AM on Jun 26th 2007
11. My God, you people have your panties in a twist! I am kind of thinking, that maybe, just maybe, there might be a few more relevant things happening in this world now that deserve a bit of a mention. Or maybe it's me.. Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur, and on and on. Get over it peeps, the idiot actor made a fashion FAUX PAS! My goodness, it isn't as if she is a Harvard graduate! As if I have never seen any other American tourist do the same, if not worse, in my second home, Turkey. They wear shorts and smoke cigarettes while walking, in small towns, this is cok ayip in Turkey. That means shameful, it is an insult. BUT, just how in the heck are tourists supposed to know these cultural nuances?
I mean Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir, Antalya, Ankara and all large cities are very European in dress and mannerisms. Go too far East in Turkey, YIKES!!!!
It's ashame we are not more aware of political no-no's in other countries but that's the way it is.
I mean, know that Bush has informed us that it is HIS government, what's a girl to do?
BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Peace
rhodalee at 2:22PM on Jun 26th 2007
12. Per Rhodalee in post# 11: "My God, you people have your panties in a twist! I am kind of thinking, that maybe, just maybe, there might be a few more relevant things happening in this world now that deserve a bit of a mention. Or maybe it's me.. Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur, and on and on.
KB - You are of course correct, but since this part of the blog is for commenting on this particular story, we are commenting on the story. If you do not want to read the Cameron and her handbag story, click on other portions of the blog. I have definite opinions about Iraq, Agghanistan, Darfur and more, but it would not be appropriate to comment on them here.
R - Get over it peeps, the idiot actor made a fashion FAUX PAS! My goodness, it isn't as if she is a Harvard graduate!
KB - Again you are correct; she probably is not well educated, and that is one thing that riles people up about Hollywood types. They tend to like to publically pontificate on subject about which they have little or no knowledge, and because they are famous, no matter how uneducated they might be, many average folks tend to take their word for it. It is important that average people understand that while Hollywood types have very good presentation skills, when they blathering on about a wide range of things political, they usually are woefully uninformed. At best, they are no better informed than the rest of us.
R - As if I have never seen any other American tourist do the same, if not worse, in my second home, Turkey. They wear shorts and smoke cigarettes while walking, in small towns, this is cok ayip in Turkey. That means shameful, it is an insult.
KB - That is exactly the problem we are discussing. With the narrow view that most Americans have of the world, it is no wonder the "ugly American" is so famous.
R - BUT, just how in the heck are tourists supposed to know these cultural nuances?
KB - They can access information via libraries, books and magazines, videos, or Cd's (sound recordings). One can even take a class. In addition to learning about another culture, modest behavior and good manner will take you a long way. It is not that difficult to learn something about the land and culture of the land and people you are visiting before traveling abroad. There is no real excuse for being an "ugly American".
R - I mean Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir, Antalya, Ankara and all large cities are very European in dress and mannerisms. Go too far East in Turkey, YIKES!!!!
It's ashame we are not more aware of political no-no's in other countries but that's the way it is.
KB - I agree it is a shame we are not more aware of the world. However because "that's the way it is" does not mean that is the way it should be, or that is how it always must be. It is always good to learn new things, and it is never too late too start.
R - I mean, know that Bush has informed us that it is HIS government, what's a girl to do?
KB - In addition to his trouble with the english language, Bush is famous for international cultural gaffes too. Remember when he starled the German president by grabbing her? That was awfully embarrassing.
R - BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Peace
KB - I sure wish we could.
Ken Berg at 2:53PM on Jun 26th 2007
13. I am only just now seeing this post, and I am gratified that you also saw the story in context. I tried to cover the subject off, and I got a bit lazy. http://justthinkblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/my-celebrity-induced-summer-vacation.html
http://justthinkblog.blogspot.com
jthinkin at 11:38PM on Jul 16th 2007