Cameron Diaz issued an apology yesterday for a political fashion faux pas. The Shrek star toured Peru's Machu Picchu last week wearing a green bag with a red star and the words "Serve the People" in Chinese. The phrase was a slogan of Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong, and sparked controversy in Peru - where citizens are recovering from the Maoist Shining Path insurgency in the '80s and '90s that killed nearly 70,000. "It alludes to a concept that did so much damage to Peru, that brought about so many victims," a Peruvian human rights rep told the Associated Press. "I don't think she should have used that bag where the followers of that ideology did so much damage." Diaz issued a statement yesterday apologizing: "The bag was a purchase I made as a tourist in China and I did not realize the potentially hurtful nature of the slogan printed on it... I'm sorry for any people's pain and suffering and it was certainly never my intention to reopen what I now know is a painful wound in this country's history." The actress was in Peru as part of a Canadian TV show called 4 REAL, which celebrates youth leaders around the world.
1 comment:
The Sendero Luminoso Terrorist group and its effects caused terrible damage and heartache to people here in Peru, however, precisely to the contrary, Ms. Diaz’ visit here to Peru has been a wild success.
I have to wonder how many of the foreign people attacking her for her lack of knowledge of Peruvian History could even find our beautiful country on a map!!
She came here to learn, rest, and help a charity. She has done all 3, and now this!! Egad!!!
Over these days, we have enjoyed dozens of photographs of her learning about our culture, enjoying our food and even sharing hugs and kisses (our style of greeting people) with guides, fans, and people who have surely never seen one of here movies (or any movie for that matter!!).
We have been very glad to have her visit. Hope she comes back soon to enjoy more.
From here in Peru I looked for and and have found NO scandal, NO outrage, NO ANYTHING “negative” about the recent and INCREDIBLY well received (return) visit of Ms. Diaz to Peru. The Non-Peruvian press seems to have made a mountain of scandal out of the quote of one individual. That is not to diminish the horror of Sendero, but it just is NOT how we will remember her here.
She was welcomed here with the same open arms and attitude that SHE seems to have arrived with and offered to all around her.
Peruvians acted as the “perfect hosts” and the only sendero (path) that marked Ms. Diaz’ visit here was that by in eating, drinking, listening, learning, hugging and kissing basically everyone and everything in her path, she was in fact a “perfect guest” which I and each Peruvian I have spoken with have been surprised at due to Ms. Diaz “international stature,” and how stars often act. Her dignified, and arguably unnecesarry, apology to the “issue”, shows what a class act she is, and Furthermore, I'll bet she is going to use this chance to learn more about Perus rich, but periodically tragic history. How many critics will do the same?
As a side note, with some exceptions due to his unique security needs as the richest man on the planet if not in the galaxy, Bill Gates was pretty cool too. There was a GREAT picture of him 2 days ago in El Commercio sitting in the bleachers up in Cuzco scarfing down a Chiccharon pork sandwich, greasy fingers and all.
Come on down, we would love to see you!
PS: I own no Mao, Che, Fidel, nor similar accessories and wont ever...but GEEEZ!
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